Nike+ Human Race Worldwide
today announced over 4000 runners took to Melbourne’s streets to participate in the world’s biggest one day running event, the 10K. Olympic 5000 metre runner Craig Mottram and former marathon runner Steve Moneghetti joined runners on the inner-city Melbourne course, which wound past local landmarks including Federation Square, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Yarra River.
Nike’s first global running race was held over the course of one day in 25 cities around the globe including Melbourne, LA, New York, London, Madrid, Paris, Istanbul, Shanghai, São Paulo and Vancouver. Each city’s race started on August 31, with the first race kicking off in Taipei, and Melbourne second off the start line. The last race was in LA.
Each city staged an exclusive music concert at the end of the race, with the Hilltop Hoods and Faker performing in Melbourne. Top acts performing in other cities included nine-time Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist Kanye West in LA, singer Moby in London and R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris.
All runners supported one of three official charities: the WWF - the global conservation organisation addressing the causes and impacts of climate change; the UN refugee agency's campaign – bringing sport and education to refugee youth; and the Lance Armstrong Foundation – uniting people in the fight against cancer. Nike Australia donated 20 per cent of the $60 online race registration fee to a runner’s chosen charity, and runners were able to donate additional amounts online. Globally, Nike will donate USD $1 million to the three charities.