Posted: May 27, 2007

Running: Foot Solutions Elite Running Coach Margaret Sue Bozgoz Serves As Running Coach For Inaugural Blue Planet Run - A Non-Stop around the World Relay Run for Safe Drinking Water Projects

Atlanta, Georgia, May 27, 2007 - Margaret Sue Bozgoz, a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) and an ALL Army Marathoner and Track Runner who has coached more than ten thousand walkers and runners and who herself has completed 51 marathons is serving as the running coach advisor for the Inaugural Blue Planet Run, an unprecedented non-stop around the world relay run to raise awareness and funds for safe drinking water projects across the globe. Bozgoz, who coaches the elite running team for Foot Solutions, the world’s largest franchisor focused on foot care health and wellness, said the run will be challenging for all involved yet definitely worth the intense effort. Bozgoz has already begun coaching the 20 citizen athletes, representing thirteen nationalities, who will be participating in the run. She also assisted in the selection process of the athletes, interviewing hundreds of runners that applied to be part of the Blue Planet event. The run, which will begin in New York City on June 1, 2007, will pass through 16 countries (15,200 miles) and end in New York City on September 4, 2007. Each athlete will run ten miles each day (with one day off every five days). “If I can help these runners sustain their pace and get through this challenge without injury than I will have achieved something no other coach has done before. More importantly however, I will have played a part in providing millions of people with a source for clean drinking water thus saving countless lives,” Bozgoz said. For some of the runners like Richard Johnson, hand picked by Bozgoz from her own Foot Solutions elite running team, the key to crossing the finish line is custom orthotics, made to within a 10th of a millimeter of the exact contour of the foot. Johnson, a thirty-one year old renowned jazz musician who has performed with musical greats such as Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis, and who is an avid runner, suffered from Achilles Tendonitis until he found Foot Solutions. Once Foot Solutions fit him with a custom orthotic he immediately began to feel relief and could resume full training. “Injury prevention is going to be critical in a run like this,” Bozgoz said. “Frequently, it’s what’s inside a runner’s shoe that can make the difference between success and failure. Custom orthotics help put the runner in proper balance and, in turn, improve the alignment of the rest of the body.” Foot Solutions stores throughout the world will be available to assist runners that require new orthotics or equipment adjustments at any point during the three month run. In addition, Foot Solutions sports specialist Donna Robertson, M.S., A.T.C., C.Ped, who has served as the U.S. Team Sports Pedorthist in two Olympics, is available for consultation and work with the athletes. Foot Solutions has helped millions overcome a myriad of biomechanical conditions since its inception in 2000. With more than 225 franchise locations worldwide, the company provides a unique service to its clients focusing on sports, improving balance, performance, running without pain, injury preventions and, improving the healing process. Their concept is innovative because the highly trained staff uses digital computerized foot scanning technology to analyze and fit each client and their specific foot care needs. Foot Solutions 10-step fitting process means a fitting specialist will spend an average of 30 to 45 minutes with each client to ensure that they are in the properly designed shoe including customized, accommodative inserts and arch supports to fit and support each and every unique foot shape. The company targets 18 health problems that are eliminated or greatly alleviated by their products including heel and arch pain; diabetic foot disorders, arthritis and sports injuries. “We find solutions for people whose feet hurt,” said company founder and CEO Ray Margiano. Consequently, we also help a lot of people who have knee, joint and back problems,” he said. “We are proud of Coach Bozgoz and her involvement with the Blue Planet Run,” Margiano said. “As a global company and a recognized world leader in specialty footwear, custom inserts and technology driven health and wellness products, we are uniquely positioned to help these runners achieve their goals – to cross the finish line while raising awareness of the pervasive global problem of unsafe drinking water.”