Gambia

We had a nice note back from The Gambia, from the kids on the softball team that received the last batch of shoes. Photos to follow when they arrive.

John Meyer of the Denver Post wrote a nice column today about the shoe project. John is the Olympic writer for the Post and has the same mindset of all of you participating in the project. Thanks to everyone who has been sending in shoes. Check out www.denverpost.com for the column.

We will have a booth at the Denver Marathon expo on Oct. 17. Please stop by and say hello.
Read more!

Barefoot Ascent of Pikes Peak to Raise Funds

Michael Sandrock, a journalist and volunteer with the One World Running shoe project, will be racing Saturday's Pikes Peak Ascent barefoot, as a fundraiser for the project, which collects and distributes new and used shoes in developing nations and in the U.S.

Sandrock is collecting pledges for each mile of the ascent. The run starts in Manitou Springs, Colo., and finishes at over 14,000 feet, with over 7,000 feet in elevation gain. Money is being raised for a cargo container of shoes and medical supplies going to Haiti, to people suffering from last year's devastating hurricanes.

Sandrock, a 2:24:30 marathoner, will be running the ascent barefoot, using the Vibram Five Fingers for sole protection. Runners can drop off their shoes, of any kind, at the pre-race expo. Sandrock, author of Running with the Legends, will be speaking about the history of women's marathoning at the expo Friday night.

BIO
Michael Sandrock is an award-winning sports journalist who has been writing about running and track and field for 25 years. He covers running for the Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder, is the author of "Running with the Legends" and "Running Tough" and contributes to various national publications. Sandrock ran track and cross country for the University of Colorado, with personal best times of 2:24:30 (marathon) and 30:23 for 10K. In 1986, after racing a marathon in Cameroon, he founded One World Running (first called Shoes for Africa), a non-profit that distributes shoes and puts on races in developing nations.
Read more!

Juja delivery for Kenyan, Somalian and Sudanese orphans

Patty Zishka is a medical doctor who volunteered to bring shoes to an orphanage in Juja, Kenya, a "suburb" of Nairobi roughly an hour from downtown. The orphanage is run by a German nu, Sister Luise, who has been doing wonderful work for more than 25 years. The orphanage houses, feeds and educates over 100 kids from Kenya, Somalia and Sudan. Sister Luise has another facility nearby that cares for many more kids, where we will be sending more shoes in the One World Running winter shipment.

Dr. Zishka traveled to the orphanage's clinic to support Rabbi Deborah Bronstein, who went to Juja because she knows Sister Luise. Rabbi Bronstein helped bring several "Lost Girls" of Sudan from the Juja orphanage to the United States several years ago. On this trip, Dr. Zishka took medical supplies, clothes and the shoes to the clinic's urgent care unit. A big thanks to Dr. Zishka, Rabbi Bronstein and Sister Luise, and to all of you who sent shoes that ended up helping these orphans.

Read more!

Sandy Bay, Honduras

STUDENTS IN SANDY BAY, on the island of Roatan, Honduras, saw their race postponed in June because of a big earthquake 30 miles off-shore. But the 1,000 pairs of shoes arrived safely -- 600 pairs for the mainland and 400 for Sandy Bay -- and we are looking forward to rescheduling the race this fall.

"A GREAT SUCCESS"

And here is a nice note just received from Matthew Miller in Belize, who helped host students and distribute shoes in March: "We believe that your program this year was a great success! All about service, and that translates to world peace and friendship. Good work!"

Read more!

City of Boulder's Youth Services Initiative

City of Boulder's Youth Services Initiative, originally uploaded by One World Running.

City of Boulder's Youth Services Initiative came and sorted and boxed shoes on May 19, with 65 local local low-income teenagers receiving shoes. They and their coach, Alex Zinga, ran and walked the Memorial Day Bolder Boulder 10K. This all part of an effort to encourage youth to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. The YSI program started seven years ago with just four participants, and continues to grow.

Read more!

Barrios, Sandrock at Lincoln Marathon May 1

Five-time world record holder Arturo Barrios, One World Running volunteer, and founder Michael Sandrock will be at a booth at the May 1 Lincoln Marathon. Please stop by and say hello, and bring your shoes to drop off, that weekend. We will be taking part with Britt Ehler's program called Running With a Reason.
Read more!

MaraYateras 7k - Race Finish

MaraYateras 7k - Race Finish, originally uploaded by One World Running.

Every November shoes are sent, with a license, to Guantanamo Province. A yearly 7K race is held, started originally in conjunction with the Boulder Cuba Sister City Project. The race is a highlight for the five towns that make up the municipality of Yateras. At this race, we see once again how running is a basic way to bring people closer together, transcending country, race, religion or economic system. The 2009 race is set for Nov. 9.

Read more!