NEW YORK (02-Feb) -- The New York Road Runners and the City of New York announced today that they will hold a major road race to raise funds for the victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. Organizers hope to raise over $300,000 from the Feb. 20, Run for Haiti four-miler in Central Park.
"Over the past few weeks I've spoken with a lot of New Yorkers with family in Haiti, and their stories are simply heartbreaking," said mayor Michael Bloomberg in a prepared statement. "New York city is doing everything possible to support earthquake relief efforts, including accepting donations to the city's Haiti Relief Fund, which has so far raised over a million dollars. I am grateful to New York Road Runners and the Parks Department for organizing the Run for Haiti where all entry fees will directly go to the fund."
The New York Road Runners said that the event would be capped at 8,000 participants, and a $40 entry fee will be charged. That would generate $320,000 in relief aid if the event attracted 8,000 entrants. The city's relief fund would pass those funds to the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health, and the United Nations World Food Programme, the mayor's office said.
While road races in the United States raise over $700 million for charities every year, according to a 2007 study by USA Track & Field, it is very rare that a race would donate 100% of its entry fees to charity because entry fees are used to cover operating costs of a race.
For runners unable to get to New York, there will be a Virtual Run/Walk for Haiti, too. Runners and walkers can sign-up to cover four miles anywhere between Feb. 19 and 24, and the proceeds of those entry fees will also benefit earthquake survivors.
More details about the Run for Haiti, including how to register, are at this link: NYrr.org. Information about the Virtual Run/Walk for Haiti are here: MapMyRun.com.
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