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Safe Passage's Annual 5K Goes Global and Virtual

YARMOUTH, Maine – Safe Passage, a non-profit organization which helps impoverished at-risk children in Guatemala, is holding its annual 5K locally, globally and virtually the weekend of September 25th.

Called the “The Esperanza 5K” (Esperanza means hope) the race will take place in:

  • Brunswick, Maine (Bowdoin College)
  • Cumberland, Maine
  • South Berwick, Maine
  • Windham, Maine
  • Waterville, Maine (Colby College)
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Dover, New Hampshire
  • Traverse City, Michigan
  • Guatemala City, Guatemala
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Haarlem, Netherlands

Racers may also participate anywhere in the world through the event’s virtual race.

Students in Guatemala have been training for the event and hope that their participation will help raise funds for food, school supplies and teachers’ pay. Mothers in the adult literacy program are also training after being visited and inspired by Juan Carlos, a man who competes from his wheelchair in road races.

“This year marks the first time Safe Passage has hosted a global 5K event and the concept is a perfect reflection of our international community,” says Alexandra Cowen, Safe Passage’s Outreach & Communications Coordinator. “From the children in Guatemala, to the people worldwide who support and mentor them, we’ll all be running together and symbolically striving towards a brighter future for hundreds of families.”
 
To register for various race locations visit www.safepassage.org/5k. To participate in the virtual race visit http://www.active.com/running/you-choose-me/safe-passage-esperanza-5k-virtual-runners-and-walkers-2010

ABOUT SAFE PASSAGE
Safe Passage is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help make the dream of education a reality for the poverty-stricken children whose families live around the Guatemala City garbage dump. Founded in 1999 by Hanley Denning, Safe Passage currently enables over 500 children to attend Guatemalan public school by providing financial support to cover costs of enrollment, school supplies, and uniforms. Safe Passage also provides an educational reinforcement center to supplement the public school curriculum which offers programs in adult literacy, English, health and physical education, and early childhood development.

PRESS CONTACTS: Alexandra Cowen, Safe Passage Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Phone: 207-846-1188  Email: Alexandra@safepassage.org
LINK: Safe Passage Esperanza 5K Race Registration www.safepassage.org/5k.
LINK: Esperanza 5K Virtual Race: http://www.active.com/running/you-choose-me/safe-passage-esperanza-5k-virtual-runners-and-walkers-2010
LINK: Safe Passage URL http://www.safepassage.org
LINK: Safe Passage Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/safepassage.org
LINK: Safe Passage Twitter: http://twitter.com_safepassage_
PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=582455194#!/album.php?aid=20614&id=1726934981&ref=mf