ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Team Type 1, a global sports organization dedicated to radically changing the lives of people around the world with diabetes, today announced ten runners from its world class athletic program will undertake an ambitious 3,000 mile run across America. Powered by global healthcare leader SANOFI, supporting partner of the organization’s racing teams totaling more than 100 athletes, the run is an initiative devoted to spreading the message of better health through proper diabetes management, increasing awareness of the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S. and promoting prevention through exercise. It is the first-ever such effort by a team of runners with diabetes.
The trek will begin on Friday, October 28, 2011 in Oceanside, CA and will continue in a relay style from coast-to-coast. Running 24-hours per day, through varying weather and terrain. The team’s goal is to complete the journey in New York City around World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2011.
In 2005, Team Type 1 took on the Race Across America (RAAM), and has since won the event dubbed “The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race,” four times with a team of type 1 cyclists. Team Type 1 holds the record for the fastest trans-continental crossing in just five days, nine hours and three minutes.
“Since the inception of Team Type 1, our athletes with diabetes have been shattering the limits of what is possible,” said CEO & Founder Phil Southerland. “We’re so proud of our athletes for dreaming big and taking on the run of a lifetime in an effort to inspire others living with this disease. We are also promoting exercise as a measure to prevent Type 2 diabetes and better manage Type 1 diabetes. We can’t wait to watch them cross the finish in NYC. Our organization, fans and friends around the globe will be cheering them on.”
Led by Tom Kingery, a four-time Ironman competitor and Director of the Team Type 1-SANOFI Running & Triathlon teams, the 10-man roster includes athletes whose accomplishments span top finishes in the Ironman World Championships, the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, multiple ultra-marathon events and an NCAA Final Four Soccer Champion.
The full Team Type 1 roster includes the following:
Tom
Kingery, Delaware, OH
Casey
Boren, Boise, ID
Brian
Foster, East Amherst, NY
Tom
Grossman, Midland, MI
Ryan
Jones, Morrisville, PA
Jon
Obst, Kennesaw, GA
Matt
Patrick, Larchmont, NY
Kevin
Powell, Verona, NJ
Ben
Semeyn, Rockford, MI
Eric
Tozer, Los Angeles, CA
“We are thrilled to have an unparalleled team of endurance athletes for our first ever run across the country,” said Team Director Tom Kingery. “These accomplished runners are not only amazing athletes but they are great people and role models in the diabetes community. They carry with them a powerful message of empowerment that instills hope and inspiration in those struggling to live a positive and healthy life with diabetes. We are very excited for this challenge and the opportunity to spread the message of hope from California to New York City.”
The running team will be backed by several partners including SANOFI, VSP Vision Care, Newton Running Footwear, ShareCare, Hammer Nutrition, RoadID and the American Diabetes Association NYC Chapter. All will play a major role in ensuring that the Team Type 1 runners receive proper care during the 15-day haul.
To learn more about Team Type 1 and the Run Across America Team, visit www.teamtype1.org and connect on Facebook or Twitter. The Team Type 1 runners also plan to hold a meet & greet event during the Chicago Marathon on October 8th and 9th, details will be available at www.teamtype1.org in the coming weeks.
About Team Type 1
Based in Atlanta, GA, Team Type 1 began as a grassroots initiative to motivate people to take control of their diabetes using cycling as a platform. Partnering with global healthcare leader, SANOFI, it grew to become a world-class athletic program for all athletes with diabetes, including a professional men's cycling team, poised to compete in the Tour de France. Today, it is a global sports organization changing the lives of people with diabetes around the world through racing, groundbreaking research, international outreach and philanthropic initiatives in developing countries.