Connectivity. Local runners feel a certain connectivity with their trails. Central Texas is blessed with some of the best running trails in the country. Heart rate monitors also allow runners to virtually connect with their heart beat. The connection between heart rate monitor and runner allows the perfect pace to be determined. Running with friends, family or coworkers allows runners to connect to others. Whether catching up on office gossip or getting some quality time with family members, running with others makes the miles go by faster. On August 31, 2008, Central Texas runners have a chance to experience another connection -- this one with fellow runners around the world.
On August 31, 2008, a million or so fellow runners in locations around the world will join together and run 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in what's billed as "The World's Largest One Day Running Event." Thousands of area athletes, including U.S. Olympian and former Longhorn swimmer, Brendan Hansen, seven-time Tourde France winner Lance Armstrong, Mayor Will Wynn and Governor Rick Perry will run locally in Austin on a designated course, starting and ending at 6th Street and Congress. If you've ever heard the phrase, "Think globally, act locally," you know it means to think about the changes you'd like to see in the world while acting locally to make it happen.
"Our expectation is this will feel less like one of the other local 10Ks and feel more like an event," says John Conley, Race Director, Human Race - Austin and AT&T Austin Marathon . "We will be one of the last cities to run, as we're starting at 6:30 p.m. The momentum from the rest of the world running earlier that day will have built up to a spectacular point of excitement for the Austin 10K."
Nike Training Runs
Athletic gear manufacturer Nike is sponsoring the event worldwide. Nike also will host local training runs in Austin leading up to the event.
"Nike's origin in running dates back 30 years from the days of Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, so it was appropriate that we would host the worlds largest running event ever," says Erica Pedreguera, Nike Public Relations Manager. "We developed this global event with the goal of celebrating runners and their sport, while providing a global connection point for every athlete."
Nike will be donating $3 million dollars from race registration proceeds to three charity partners; The UN Refugee Agency, Lance Armstrong Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund . You may choose which charity you want your miles to count toward.
Local Training Schedule
As a registered runner in a race city, you will receive your own Official Nike Human Race Day T-shirt, enjoy a concert featuring Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals at the finish line and proudly represent Austin and the United States in a worldwide 10K on 8.31.2008. Here's the training schedule:
- Saturday Runs: Meet @ Starbucks @ 8:00 a.m. (located at
504 W. 24th St). Free Starbucks coffee and giveaways from
Nike & Starbucks.
- Tuesday Runs: Meet @ Guero's on South Congress @ 7:00
p.m. Featuring LIVE music after each run.
- Thursday Runs: Meet @ SIX Lounge @ 7:00 p.m. (located
at the corner of 4th St. & Colorado St. in the
Warehouse District).
Cities Hosting Running Events
Austin is one of 25 cities around the world participating in the event. Others include:
- Bogota
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago
- Istanbul
- Lima
- London
- Los Angeles
- Madrid
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Mt. Fuji
- Munich
- New York City
- Paris
- Quito
- Rome
- Sao Paolo
- Seoul
- Shanghai
- Singapore
- Taipei
- Vancouver
- Warsaw
If you're not in one of the cities listed above, you can still run with the rest of the world. Simply use a Nike SportBand or Nike iPod and Sport Kit and join the race. Then race a 10K and sync up your miles on 8.31.2008. Get connected .
