I got a call yesterday informing me that Run For Change is being invited to participate in Nike’s Human Race this coming August 31. It’s an event that I’ve been reading about on Runner’s World and on different sites, aside from the fact that Coach Rio asked me to do a survey on it.

Basically, what’s going to happen is that “the human race” is going to run simultaneously around the world on August 31, 2008 and will be the largest race ever organized. There will be 2 types of races, the physical race and the virtual race. There are two ways you can join this record setting event: (1) join the physical race in one of the 25 cities, or (2) virtually, by simply tracking your run with a Nike+ Sport Kit or SportBand, then sync at least 10KM mileage to nikeplus.com.ph before the day ends (11:59pm). Since Manila is not one of the 25 officially designated cities, we can participate in this global event through the virtual race.

From what I hear, there is NO REGISTRATION FEE and they’ll be giving away Nike freebies to those who’ll participate. Though no final details have been annouced yet, there’s talk that it will be held in Fort Global City. Now, the only way you can be part of this event is to have the Nike+ Sport Kit or Sportband. So I suggest you guys get one already! For those who’ll be purchasing the kits or bands, you can email me directly (eric@run4change.com) or leave a comment and I can give you a 15% on your purchase.

Here are additional details…

Sign up for the Nike+ Virtual Race!

Nike celebrates runners and their sport while uniting athletes all over the globe through the world’s largest running event. On 08.31.08, join a million runners worldwide for a 10k event like no other at the Nike+ Human Race. By combining Nike’s digital running world with the physical, the Nike+ Human Race is open to anyone, anywhere.

Besides running the Nike+ Human Race physically in any of the 25 host cities, participants can choose to take part in the virtual race. This means you can run anywhere at any time of the day starting 12:00am until 11:59pm on August 31, track your run with a Nike+ Sport Kit or Nike+ Sport Band, then sync your run to nikeplus.com.ph. Just run a total of 10k throughout the day to contribute to the global mileage on August 31, 2008.

Furthermore, Vote With Your Feet (VWYF) allows all virtual runners to log their miles from the day they register themselves on the website. Once the participant signs up for the virtual race, he can choose one of the three global charities to donate to. The cumulative miles run for the individual charities will result in what the allocation of Nike’s contribution will be among the three charities September 1, 2008.

VIRTUAL RACE FAQs

Why did Nike decide to organize this event?
Simply put, Nike is celebrating runners and their sport. This is going to be the World’s Largest Running Event and provide a global connection point for every athlete. By using tools that Nike created like Nike+ and the Nike+ SportBand, people can now participate from anywhere: a country road, an urban sidewalk or at one of the 25 designated Nike+ Human Race cities.

If I’m not running in a Nike+ Human Race city, can I still join the Human Race?
Anyone that registers for the Nike+ Human Race can participate. If you’re not running at the host city, you can participate through the virtual race. By registering for the race at nikeplus.com.ph, runners can simply run from their home, track their run with Nike+ iPod or Nike+ SportBand, then log their miles and contribute to the global mileage occurring simultaneously on 08.31.08.

How can I sign up for the virtual race?
Participants merely have to register for it at here to join the virtual race with Nike+ (hyperlink to http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/index.jsp )

Step 1: Ensure that you have a Nike+ SportKit or Nike+ SportBand to track your miles. Both can be purchased from any Nike retail outlets.
Step 2: Select to join the race with Nike+
Step 3: Train for race day with Nike+
Step 4: Race and sync your 10k run on 31.8.2008

What is the difference between the physical and virtual race?

Difference 1:
The physical race requires you to be present at any of the 25 cities worldwide on 31st August 2008, closest to the Philippines is in Singapore. The virtual race on the other hand requires you to run anywhere, anytime, before 11:59pm on August 31, 2008.

Difference 2:
The physical race requires a registration fee, depending on your respective category and city. The virtual race requires no entry fee.

Difference 3:
The physical race participants will run with a ChampionChip device whereas all virtual runners simply need to log their miles with a Nike+ SportKit or Nike+ SportBand.

“If I signed up for the virtual race, do I have to complete the 10KM?”
Yes. You have to run a 10K or more on August 31 for you to be count in the Human Race. You can run in blocks, like 5KM/5KM or 2KM/3KM/5KM, as long as your total is at least 10K.