LONDON, April 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A renowned jazz musician, a Scottish gardener and champion marathoner are among the 20 athletes selected today as official members of the international team that will run around the world in the inaugural 2007 Blue Planet Run(r), according to an announcement made today by the Blue Planet Run Foundation in conjunction with The Dow Chemical Company, the Run's presenting sponsor. Running 24-hours a day, seven days a week, the Blue Planet Run athlete team will traverse the globe in 95 days to raise awareness and funds to help bring clean drinking water to some of the 1.1 billion people around the world who lack access.
The unprecedented, 15,200-mile Run will circumnavigate the Earth's Northern Hemisphere and, according to the Run route revealed today, travel through 16 countries including Ireland, England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan, Canada and the U.S. Cities and towns along the Run route will host local events to raise awareness and inspire action among their citizens.
"The global water crisis is one of massive proportions. But there is a solution -- and that solution begins with a step," said Jin Zidell, founder and chairman of Blue Planet Run Foundation. "The 2007 Blue Planet Run team will literally deliver the message of safe drinking water around the globe, through some of the world's most rugged terrain, to reach communities in need while educating people about how they can help make a difference."
The global team of Blue Planet Run athletes represents 13 nationalities and range in age from 23 to 60. The Foundation selected the group from among more than 300 individuals who responded to an open application call.
Beginning on June 1 in New York City, the 20 athletes will set off, running in 10-mile (16-kilometer) non-stop shifts around the world. The Run, produced by ignition Inc., concludes in New York City on September 4.
"Dow is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2007 Blue Planet Run. As a global company and a world leader in chemistry, our company is uniquely positioned to help provide clean and safe water to those in need," said Markus Wildi, president of Dow Europe. "Our 43,000 employees around the world are engaged and energized to help raise awareness and funds that will support global water projects around the world."
For complete details of the 2007 Blue Planet Run(r), or to make a donation, visit www.blueplanetrun.org.
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About the Blue Planet Run Foundation
Blue Planet Run Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the lack of safe drinking water, and funding working solutions today for the billion people living without ready access to this life sustaining resource. Since 2004, the U.S.-based foundation has funded 135 sustainable water projects in 13 countries which will provide 100,000 people with safe drinking water. The Foundation's signature awareness and fundraising event is the Blue Planet Run, the first-ever around-the-world running relay. For more information about the Blue Planet Run Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.blueplanetrun.org.
Blue Planet Run is a registered trademark of the Blue Planet Run Foundation.
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of innovation, science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company offers a broad range of products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $49 billion and employs 43,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.