Series of 10k charity races taking place globally on August 31st, followed by huge post-race concerts

Posted by: Paul Little  •  August 27, 2008 @ 5:28am

Normally we don't post press releases here on ShowbizMonkeys.com (we receive so many, this would turn into a freakin' PR website!) but we do occasionally make exceptions -- whether it's something cool or something worthwhile. Well in this case, it's both!

This Sunday, August 31st, Nike is putting on the Nike+ Human Race, a massive global one-day running event. Beginning in Taiwan, a total of 25 races will take place throughout Asia, Europe, South America, and North America, culminating in Los Angeles with a huge post-race musical event headlined by Kanye West. Other concerts will be taking place worldwide featuring a variety of hit artists: superstar Moby appearing in London; Beijing-based singing duo Yu Quan in Shanghai; R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris; All-American Rejects in NYC; hometown favorite Fall Out Boy in Chicago; and many more.

Most importantly, the global world-wide race is supporting three charities: the Lance Armstrong Foundation; the World Wildlife Fund; and the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign. At least $3-million will be donated to these very deserving causes. Be sure to check out Nike+ Human Race footage at www.youtube.com/nikeplushumanrace, and if you'd like to participate in the race yourself, check out details and register now at the Nike+ Human Race website.

Oh, and of course, it wouldn't be ShowbizMonkeys.com if we didn't have a giveaway, too! We're giving away a $59 Nike+ SportBand and a Nike+ Human Race t-shirt, so be sure to enter to win right here.

Kanye West Announced As Grand Finale Performance For The Nike+ Human Race - The World's Largest One Day Running Event

Moby Confirmed To Play London as Online Registration Opens Globally

Music takes center stage on the heels of the official registration opening for the Nike+ Human Race, the world's biggest one-day running event taking place on August 31, 2008. The race brings together the power of sport and music to inspire and connect runners from every corner of the planet. Participants in this unprecedented event will experience an exclusive music performance by some of today's top artists in each of the 25 designated race cities.

In Los Angeles, nine-time Grammy Award winning artist Kanye West will headline the run's post race concert for the grand finale of the 25-city Nike+ Human Race. Runners will take to the streets passing the city's most famous landmarks before ending at the LA Coliseum to see West take the stage.

"I'm hitting the stage in Los Angeles for the Nike+ Human Race, Nike's dopest 10k run ever. This race is bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to run and listen to some great music while serving a higher cause, and I'm excited to perform in L.A. as part of the grand finale."

West's performance will bring to a close, an unprecedented day of races and activities around the globe starting in Taipei, ending in LA and including cities across Europe, Asia and North and South America.

In London, runners will be treated to an exclusive performance by world-renowned American DJ, songwriter, musician and singer Moby in the city's famed Wembley Stadium. Other all-star artists confirmed to play at the Nike+ Human Race include chart-topping rock band All-American Rejects in NY; hometown favorite Fall Out Boy in Chicago; R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris; dance-electro-pop duo The Pinker Tones in Madrid, Turkish pop sensation Kenan Dogulu in Istanbul; the Fantastic Four in Munich; Beijing-based singing duo Yu Quan in Shanghai and American rock band Boy Likes Girl in Singapore.

Beyond running and music, the Nike+ Human Race is also an opportunity to give back. Participants will be able to run for a worthy cause and support the three official Nike+ Human Race charitable partners: the Lance Armstrong Foundation – uniting people in the fight against cancer; WWF - the global conservation organization addressing the causes and impacts of climate change; and the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign – bringing sport and education to refugee youth. Together, Nike and runners will raise funds to donate at least USD $3 million to the Nike+ Human Race charities. Money will be raised via givebacks from registration fees, a percentage of Nike+ Human Race t-shirt sales and a donation of USD $1 million from Nike.

The Nike+ Human Race will also feature an online pledge tool so individual runners can donate additional funds to the cause of their choice and invite friends and family to contribute on their behalf.

"As a committed runner and a cancer survivor, I'm proud to be participating in the Nike+ Human Race," Lance Armstrong said. "The race offers the best of both worlds by bringing together a global community to run together and support worthy causes like the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org and WWF in our combined efforts to have a positive impact on the world."

Other Nike athletes will also be joining the movement to run with the world and for a cause. Like Lance Armstrong, they will serve as honorary athlete ambassadors for the charities and join in Human Race activities. Six-time marathon winner and current NY Marathon Champion, Paula Radcliffe and middle distance runner Kara Goucher will be running to support WWF, while marathoner Meb Keflezighi will be representing ninemillion.org.

Nikeplus.com will be the official destination for the Nike+ Human Race and for all pre-race training needs. Here, runners can create a personal profile page or stay motivated by sampling and downloading the latest in Nike+ Sport Music offerings. Sport Music offers runners the best in original Training Run and Coaching Mixes designed specifically for treadmill and road runs. Beginning June 15, runners will also be able to visit Race City pages covering local race info and news, Training pages for information and links to in-city training runs, events with official race partners including 24Hour Fitness and Starbucks and Nike+ Coach training. Gear pages covering the latest in Nike performance training gear and Nike+ product will also be offered.

For more information on the Nike+ Human Race and a complete listing of race cities visit nikeplus.com.

Tags: Nike, Kanye West, Moby, charity, Lance Armstrong

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Paul Little is the founder and Managing Editor of ShowbizMonkeys.com. When not interviewing his favourite musicians and comedians, he can also be found putting on and promoting music and comedy events with The Purple Room in Winnipeg, or co-producing the live comedy game shows Pants on Fire and The Great Patio Showdown. (@comedygeek)

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