Team Type 1 Takes Off On Run Across U.S.
Ten-man team aiming to increase awareness of the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S.
Ten-man team aiming to increase awareness of the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S.
Oceanside, CA – On Thursday ten members of the Team Type 1-SANOFI running team embarked on the journey of a lifetime. The athletes, who all have Type 1 diabetes, will run 3,000 miles across America in an effort to spread the message of better health through proper diabetes management, increase awareness of the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S., and promote prevention through exercise. Team Type 1 is a global sports organization dedicated to radically changing the lives of people around the world with diabetes and home to a world-class athletic program.
Powered by global healthcare leader SANOFI, a supporting partner of the Team Type 1 racing teams and its athletes, the running team plans a non-stop, 24-hour per day, relay style run to finish around World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2011. It is the first-ever such effort by a team of runners with diabetes.
The trek began yesterday in Oceanside, CA and will continue through cities including Santa Fe, NM; Emporia, KS; Columbia, MO; St. Louis, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Dayton, OH; Springfield, OH; Columbus, OH; Washington, PA; Harrisburg, PA; Allentown, PA; Easton, NJ and Newark, NJ. The full route with up-to-date information regarding the team’s location can be accessed at:www.teamtype1.org/run beginning today, Friday, October 28. With over 3,000 miles of stories, team members will be documenting their journey, taking pictures, shooting video and posting blogs each day.
“We are so proud of our Team Type 1 – SANOFI runners who are taking on this monumental feat and showing the world what is possible with diabetes,” said Phil Southerland, Founder and CEO of Team Type 1. “I think these athletes can be an inspiration for others to take control of their health, whether they are struggling with Type 1 diabetes or working to become healthy and prevent Type 2 diabetes.
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 runners:
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, Nutley, NJ
Ben Semeyn, Rockford, MI
Eric Tozer, Los Angeles, CA
The running team will be backed by several partners including SANOFI, VSP Vision Care, Newton Running Footwear, ShareCare, RoadID, PowerBar, McMillan Training and RecoveryPump. 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 for daily updates from the road during the cross-country run, visit www.teamtype1.org and connect on Facebook or Twitter.