RUNNING USA – NYRR Partners with MapMyFITNESS, Crowdrise to Support the People of Japan – New York Road Runners\‘ fifth Japan Day Run for Hope event to raise funds for the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief; Virtual Run to take place from May 1-22; Japan Day Run for Hope to take place in Central Park on Sunday, May 8; Japan Day festival in Central Park on May 22

NEW YORK – (April 20, 2011) – In response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan, New York Road Runners' annual Japan Run has been declared the Japan Day Run for Hope, which will take place on Sunday, May 8 in Central Park, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

"We keep the people of Japan in our thoughts as the cleanup efforts throughout their country continue," said Wittenberg. "We are pleased to be able to work with our many city partners, as well as the American Red Cross, Crowdrise and MapMyFITNESS, in order to help the best way we can-by using our feet."

While registration for the event in Central Park, sponsored by Japan Day @ Central Park, is now closed, there are additional ways to get involved. NYRR has partnered with MapMyFITNESS to create a virtual run on its MapMyRUN platform. Participants will pledge to do a 4-mile run or walk between May 1 and May 22, wherever they are. The American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief will receive 100 percent of the net proceeds. To sign up for the event, visit: www.mapmyrun.com/japanrun

"MapMyFITNESS is thrilled to partner again with NYRR and assist in the Japan earthquake-relief effort," said Rob J. Thurston, Chief Executive of MapMyFITNESS. "At MapMyFITNESS, we strive to provide runners the tools they need to achieve their goals, and we believe that joining with NYRR to give runners this unique opportunity to run for the benefit of such a worthy cause will motivate even more people to get out on the road."

In addition to the virtual run, current participants and anyone looking for a way to help can log on to Crowdrise (www.crowdrise.com/japanrun) to make a donation. Again, all net proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief. NYRR will match all donations up to $25,000 raised on Crowdrise.

"What could possibly be better than leveraging a race you're going to run to raise money for our brothers and sisters in Japan," said actor and Crowdrise co-founder Edward Norton. "No one does that better than New York Road Runners. We're excited to help all the runners make a huge impact."

The event in Central Park on Sunday, May 8 will feature some 5,000 runners, as well as professional athletes Reiko Tosa and Yoko Shibui of Japan. Japan Day @ Central Park, who has been a sponsor of the Japan Day event for five years, is pleased to have the opportunity to use this event to support their country; the group will be on-site on race day to accept donations near the finish line in Central Park.

For more information on the Japan Day Run for Hope event, go to: NYRR.org

 RUNNING USA