Surf City USA(R) Marathon Impacts the World

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ — For the fourth
consecutive year, the Surf City USA(R) Marathon (Feb. 1, 2009) is teaming up
with the Free Wheelchair Mission for a fundraising event that is directly
responsible for changing the lives of 26,658 disabled people worldwide.

In the Fourth Annual “Run for Mobility”, the event’s 17,000 runners are
encouraged to use the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K as a way to raise funds
that sends specially engineered wheelchairs to needy and developing nations.
Information is available at http://www.runformobility.org.

An alliance forged in 2006, Surf City USA Marathon runners have raised
more than $1,200,000 to date. This year’s target is $600,000 and 11,600
chairs. Each wheelchair is made of mountain bike tires and durable outdoor
furniture, designed to withstand all types of weather conditions and often
rough terrain in underdeveloped countries. One wheelchair costs under $52.00
manufactured and shipped.

“It’s truly amazing to think that our race in Huntington Beach has
impacted so many needy people across the globe,” said Surf City USA Marathon
General Manager Amy Tomchak. “If stretched wheel-to-wheel across the 26.2
mile marathon course, the number of wheelchairs distributed nearly covers that
span.”

The Irvine, Calif.-based Free Wheelchair Mission has delivered 346,333
chairs as of Nov. 2008. While conventional wheelchairs can cost between $500
and $30,000, founder Don Schoendorfer, a mechanical engineer, developed an
inexpensive version; a simple contraption made from a plastic lawn chair and
24-inch mountain bike tires.

“Free Wheelchair Mission Board Members for years wanted a way to tie
athletics and movement into actually changing the lives of those waiting for
help,” said John Sexton, Executive Director. “Run for Mobility has become a
cornerstone of our annual fund raising efforts.”

The Surf City USA Marathon is California’s largest oceanfront marathon and
half marathon, and the only major “winter” race held in Southern California.
Formerly known as the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, the 13th annual event is
held on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. More than 30,000 spectators from the
48 contiguous states and 19 foreign countries are anticipated to pack the
downtown and outlying areas. Weekend highlights include the two-day Active
Lifestyle Beach Expo and Michelob Ultra Post Race Beer Garden. Information is
available at http://www.runsurfcity.com.

SOURCE Surf City USA Marathon