Posted: June 13, 2006

Running: The San Francisco Marathon And Dean Karnazes Partner To Benefit Local Charities

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (June 12, 2006) - When almost 15,000 runners line up for The San Francisco Marathon(tm) and its companion races on July 30, collectively they will run over 250 million steps through the city's streets. Many of these inspired runners will dedicate every stride to a vital charity organization of their choice through the marathon's unique Cause to Run Program.

Now, "Ultramarathon Man" Dean Karnazes has joined The San Francisco Marathon's team as the official host of this year's event. A primary goal of this partnership is to significantly increase the $250,000 that Cause to Run has raised for over 50 local charity organizations since 2003.

"Few runners can communicate the rewards of helping others through one's own running achievements as well as Dean Karnazes," said marathon producer Peter Nantell of West End Management. "He is the perfect example of charitable philanthropy through his running endeavors. The visibility and inspiration that Dean contributes to our charity efforts is significant."

On race weekend, Karnazes will serve as official race starter, and will also appear and speak at The San Francisco Marathon(tm) Expo on Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29, 2006. Karnazes, whose limitless exploits as an endurance athlete have brought him worldwide acclaim, has dedicated himself to magnanimous efforts. Starting September 17, he will commence his Endurance 50 U.S. Tour, running 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days -- while advocating charitable giving.

On The San Francisco Marathon's race weekend (July 28-30), however, Karnazes will inspire race participants who have enrolled in Cause to Run. The program allows participants to pledge support to any of the marathon's official charity organizations, raise funds, and earn pledge prizes by participating in any of the running/walking events. The San Francisco Marathon's events include the featured 26.2-mile marathon, two half marathons (13.1 miles), and a 5-kilometer run/walk. Additionally, a Progressive Marathon encourages participants to incrementally run or walk 26.2 miles over a period of weeks or months and complete the final part of their cumulative marathon by participating in the 5K on race day.

Last year, an annual study conducted by USA Track & Field determined that road runners and walkers raised $575 million for charity in 2004. The figure marked a 2 percent increase over 2003 ($563 million) and a 10 percent increase over the inaugural study results for 2002 ($520 million). USATF gathered data from 20 national charitable race series/organizations and 273 running/walking races, including 24 of the country's 100 largest races.

"Charity running continues to grow, even as competitive marathoners continue to raise the bar of elite performance," said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "The marathon phenomenon has had a positive effect on American society, from promoting fitness to pursuing altruistic goals such as charity fund-raising."

Success Story 1: Organs 'R' Us
Organs 'R' Us has served as an important beneficiary of The San Francisco Marathon since 1999. The nonprofit organization promotes (through athletics) the need for organ donors. By walking and running, transplant recipients, candidates, family members, friends and donor families have generated $25 million of publicity promoting organ donation.

This year, the marathon's Cause to Run participants who select Organs 'R' Us as their charitable undertaking will run to help 2-year-old Katalina Thang of San Jose, Calif. After enduring three heart surgeries, doctors said in September 2004 that Katalina would not survive six months without a heart-lung transplant.

After Dean Karnazes ran solo ultra distances for Katalina (at the Calistoga to Santa Cruz Relay) in 2004 (262 miles) and 2005 (350 miles), a donor was found. As Katalina was prepped to receive a new heart and lungs, it was discovered that the lungs were damaged.

Katalina still awaits a donor. She will be present at the marathon with the Organs 'R' Us team helping to let others know that 90,000 Americans (including 2,500 children) are now waiting for organs. Eighteen Americans die each day before a donor is found.

According to Dr. Jeff Shapiro, MD who serves on the board of Organs 'R' Us, organ donation is a "very unusual" cause.

"It doesn't really need a lot of money; what's really lacking is the organs, the donors," said Shapiro, who will run in this year's marathon. "Organ donation may not be for everybody. But we encourage everyone, including runners, to have the conversation with their families that says 'donate my organs, or don't donate my organs, in case something happens to me.'"

Success Story 2: Team Parkinson
Last year, Team Parkinson teamed up with The San Francisco Marathon(tm) as one of its Cause to Run beneficiaries. In its first year of involvement with the race, Team Parkinson attracted over 80 participants who raised over $42,000 for its cause.

"Cause to Run has just been a big success for us," said Jennifer Bugnatto, Team Parkinson's Volunteer Chair for the San Francisco Bay Area. "A lot of people learned about us just by entering the race and seeing us listed on the marathon site. We're excited to be back again this year."

Bugnatto said The San Francisco Marathon's companion half marathon, 5K, and Progressive Marathon events offer a special attraction for charity participants. "They allow people of all ages and abilities to participate with their families -- including people who have Parkinson's."

Team Parkinson is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2000, that raises funds for research efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, and to raise awareness regarding its impact. Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological order that can become debilitating. It affects over one and a half million Americans. Growing evidence suggests that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and even challenging activities like marathons might help ward off or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.

John Ball, who co-chairs Team Parkinson, was diagnosed with Parkinson's almost 25 years ago. Ball, 62, of Whittier, Calif. has completed 14 marathons with the assistance of medication that controls his symptoms. Ball finished The San Francisco Marathon last year in about four hours and fifty minutes and will return this year.

"When I retired from work, I decided to spend the rest of my days helping people with Parkinson's," Ball said. "If I run a marathon well, it helps inspire all people, and helps people with Parkinson's because it raises money and awareness."

Success Story 3: National Brain Tumor Foundation
Racing Ahead for the National Brain Tumor Foundation is a program that combines running and raising funds for the National Brain Tumor Foundation. Participants in The San Francisco Marathon who chose Racing Ahead as their charity team raised over $14,500 for the NBTF last year, and $11,000 in 2004.

"Every one of Racing Ahead's team members at The San Francisco Marathon have been successful; every one has met their fundraising goals," said Jennifer Neale, the founder of Racing Ahead who is a brain cancer survivor. "Our participants tell us that this is a great way to celebrate life and reach out to help others."

NBTF is a national non-profit health organization dedicated to providing information and support for brain tumor patients, family members, and healthcare professionals, while supporting innovative research into better treatment options and a cure for brain tumors. There are over 130 types of brain tumors. In the U.S., 500 adults and children are diagnosed with brain tumors every day. Treatment is difficult.

This year, the following non-profit organizations are raising funds by participating in the marathon's Cause to Run program. Additional nonprofits may be added. All nonprofits are welcome to join.

	Organs 'R' Us
	Team Parkinson
	International Rivers Network
	San Francisco SPCA 
	Options Recovery Services
	National Brain Tumor Foundation
	Ekal Marathon
	Faith Network of the East Bay 
	Homeless Prenatal Program 
	Speeders for Bleeders 
	Compass Community Services
	Medals4Mettle 
	A Home Away From Homelessness 
	Karno Kids 
	Run to Defeat ALS 
	Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation 
	Monument Crisis Center, Runners for Food
	UCSF Play Safe
	First Covenant Church

For complete details about The San Francisco Marathon's Cause to Run program, its beneficiaries, and how to make a contribution or sponsor a runner, see www.causetorun.com

About The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
The San Francisco Marathon(tm) enjoys success as the premier summertime marathon in the U.S. San Francisco's blend of natural beauty, big city charm, and perfect mid-summer running temperatures, make marathon running in San Francisco a truly magical experience.

REGISTRATION DETAILS for The San Francisco Marathon(tm), and all of the marathon's events, are available online at www.runsfm.com.

About Dean Karnazes
Dean Karnazes, a San Francisco resident, is a record-holding endurance athlete, philanthropist, best-selling author, and an accomplished businessman. Karnazes has done what few people thought humanly possible. He's run 350 continuous miles without sleep. He's run across Death Valley in the middle of summer, and he's run a marathon to the South Pole. On seven separate occasions, he's run a 200-mile relay race solo. Karnazes' adventures have been featured on prominent television shows and in many leading publications. He is a sought-after motivational speaker.

Karnazes' recent book, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, has been on the New York Times list and is a national bestseller. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity through his running and sports career. Dean serves on the Board of Girls On the Run, a national program dedicated to building confidence and self-esteem in young, largely at-risk, girls, and is a member of the California Task Force on Youth Wellness, serving under Senator Tom Torlakson. Last December, Karnazes founded the Karno Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that encourages youth to become physically active while restoring and preserving the natural environment. He holds two graduate degrees, several patents and trademarks, and is the President of his own food and nutrition company.

Karnazes' colossal marathon-a-day effort later this year will provide a human vehicle for contributors to support charity organizations such as the beneficiaries of The San Francisco Marathon's Cause to Run program. The ultra endurance athlete encourages everyone to "come run with me" during any portion of his 50-day mega-run, and to make a donation to designated charities. The October 3 leg of Karnazes' marathon journey is devoted to a run over The San Francisco Marathon's scenic and challenging course.

For more about Dean Karnazes, see /www.ultramarathonman.com.

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