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56-Year-Old Grandmother Heads to Antarctica to Run Her Seventh Worldwide Marathon in Under a Year

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 March 2009, 09:00 CST

Compassionate Runner, Linda Quirk, Nationally Known for Her Quest to Raise One Million Dollars for Charity, Makes a Request for More Donations on www.Run7on7.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- At 56, Linda Quirk has undergone an amazing journey - seven marathons across seven continents in just under a year. She began her trek across the globe by running the Boston Marathon in April 2008 and has since gone on to run the Great Wall of China, Easter Island, Kenya (Safaricom), Reykjavik, and Melbourne marathons. Now she's heading to Antarctica to run along its freezing glaciers on March 10, for what will be her seventh and final continent on her mission.

"I can't believe it's finally here," says Linda Quirk. "This past year has been a whirlwind with national media, sponsorships and the support of so many incredible people."

Linda's goal has always been to help raise one million dollars for Caron Treatment Center's addiction scholarship program that helps families in need get access to treatment at Caron. At close to $250,000, Linda has been able to reach a quarter of her goal, but in this economic climate, she sees this as a success.

"It's been tough," said Linda Quirk. "This is why we're asking people to part with whatever they can afford, because even a little goes a long way. For example, the $250,000 raised thus far will help us put more than 20 people through Caron's innovative treatment. People just like my stepdaughter Katherine who we almost lost to a methamphetamine addiction forever."

Caron is a nonprofit addiction treatment center that helps those affected by alcohol and drugs and their families begin a new life. Linda's stepdaughter, Katherine, began her journey from methamphetamine addiction to recovery at Caron Renaissance in Florida, something Linda is forever grateful for. In fact, five members of Caron's staff have run alongside her to support this momentous initiative.

"We are honored by Linda's efforts on Caron's behalf," says Missy Orlando, Executive Vice President, of Communications and Marketing at Caron Treatment Centers. "Linda's worldwide mission, and her stepdaughter's successful recovery, has been an inspiration to all of us."

To document her mission, Linda launched www.Run7on7.com, a captivating Web site that has been following her adventure around the globe with video footage, media highlights and more while accepting the much-needed scholarship donations.

Linda's been sharing the experience of helping a loved one overcome their chemical dependency on www.Run7on7.com and in public forums where she hopes to inform other families that addiction doesn't discriminate but that there is hope for a successful recovery. Linda is also beginning the groundwork for a national recovery movement and will be making a special announcement about her plans to continue her mission to raise one million dollars for Caron sometime after Antarctica.

Physically, Linda is a far cry from your typical 56-year-old grandmother of three. She's a trained runner who has participated in multiple marathons and triathlons around the world including Big Sur, Alaska and Berlin. She has also completed numerous extreme races including many Ironman full, half and Olympic distance triathlons, including: Ironman Florida, Long Course Worlds in Sweden, Ironman Lanzarote, Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii and Ironman 70.3 Worlds in Clearwater, Florida.

To help get the word out and to support her mission, Linda has partnered with BP Products North America Inc. and SkirtSports. Currently, Linda - a member of BP's "Team Invigorate" - is speaking on behalf of BP gasoline with Invigorate, a unique formula that helps cars run "younger for longer." For more information about BP gasoline with Invigorate and Team Invigorate, visit bpinvigorate.com.

To learn more about Linda Quirk's incredible story or to make a donation to her cause, log onto www.Run7on7.com.

SOURCE www.Run7on7.com

Source: PR Newswire

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