RUNNING USA – Honda LA Marathon\’s Charity Challenge Moving Towards $4 Million Goal – More than $800,000 raised already, with five weeks still left before race day

LOS ANGELES – In amounts from $5 to more than $10,000, an unprecedented $808,000 has already been raised for community, institutional and even individual fund-raising programs with nearly 35 days still left before the 26th Honda LA Marathon presented by K-Swiss on Sunday, March 20, 2011.

In addition to its traditional affiliation with dozens of local and national charitable organizations, the race added a significant new partner this year in Crowdrise.com, an easy-to-use, web-based portal for fund-raising.

"During the past two years, we've made great strides in expanding our charitable program, but Crowdrise is helping us take it to a whole new level," said LA MARATHON LLC chief operating officer Nick Curl. "It's a fairly staggering total when you consider that our partnership with Crowdrise just launched and our race isn't until March 20. We've set an aggressive goal of raising $4 million – far more than ever before – and we believe we are on pace to achieve it."

From high-profile programs like the ThinkCure! cancer research fund to individual initiatives to raise money for family members facing life-threatening medical challenges, the unique Crowdrise.com interface makes contributing to a favorite cause easier than ever.

"It'll allow anybody to participate," said actor Edward Norton, who helped found Crowdrise, in an interview during "Valentine in the Morning" on Clear Channel's MyFM 104.3 in Los Angeles. "You don't even have to have an official charity. You or your team can go to the website and run for any cause you choose. Like for instance, Flea [of the Red Hot Chili Peppers] is running a contest on my website for his music conservatory, a music conservatory that he started. He is donating a bass guitar signed by all the members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers for those who want to support his cause."

During a joint appearance with Flea on the KTLA Morning News, Norton added that "Just a couple of clicks of the mouse button, no hassles or logistics and all of it will channel toward the LA Marathon total." Flea, who is running in the March 20 race, noted that "ten years ago I started a non-profit music school called the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music. It is a community-based school in Los Angeles to give music lessons. It's not about being famous or a celebrity, but about academic music instruction and studying the art of music.

"The school costs a million dollars a year to run and we have 700 kids a week studying music, trying to fill a void for the lack of artistic funds available in [the L.A. Unified School District]. So I'm running the Marathon to raise money for my school. Crowdrise.com is such an awesome thing because many people, whether they have a billion dollars or five dollars to give, want to help out and this is an opportunity for everyone to help out. Edward has been gracious enough to help me with the school and I'm just excited to be a part of it. These two things are great. Exercising and getting in shape and taking care of your body is a good thing but to do it with a purpose. Lifting up yourself as well as other people, what could be a better thing?"

Organizations like the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music, ThinkCure! and others are also in the spirit of giving back with contests for donors on Crowdrise. For example, Flea has put up a bass guitar signed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers; anyone donating $25 or more through crowdrise.com/teamsilverlake within the next three weeks is eligible for the drawing.

ThinkCure!'s current contest runs through February 10 and offers a drawing for an authentic Dodgers jersey autographed by centerfielder Matt Kemp and two tickets to Opening Day at Dodger Stadium vs. the San Francisco Giants; anyone signing up for the ThinkCure! team and raising $10 or more for the charity by February 10 is automatically entered. Additional contests will continue right up to race day.

Many participants in the Marathon raise money through pledges for each mile covered in the race over the 26.2-mile Stadium to the Sea course. Last year, however, the race sold out early and registration closed, leaving some runners unable to participate…and unable to undertake their fund-raising venture. Curl is asking runners to make sure they're in the race for sure by registering early this year.

"We don't want to leave people out, but the Stadium to the Sea course is quickly becoming one of the iconic marathon routes worldwide and registration has been strong so far in 2011," he noted. "Registration is online at www.LAMarathon.com is easier than ever to complete and the early birds will be the ones assured of being on the line at Dodger Stadium to compete in the 26th Honda LA Marathon."

RUNNING USA