Runner's & Triathlete's Web  Athletics: State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon To Collect Shoes For Haiti

Melbourne, Fla. -- With the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon almost a week away and Haitians still reeling from their devastating earthquake, race organizers are reaching out to registered runners and the local community with a call for shoes.

Collection boxes will be at the Crowne Plaza Oceanfront Hotel in Indialantic during the event's Health & Fitness Expo to be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, February 5 and from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. on Saturday, February 6.

There will also be collection boxes available at the race finish line areas in downtown Melbourne on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The shoes will be collected by representatives from Indialantic's Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and shipped to Haiti the week following the race.

"Every runner I know has at least one extra pair of running shoes in their closet and probably more like several extra pairs," said event founder Mitch Varnes. "What a great way to clear the closets and help out others at the same time."