Join Me Please
I invite you to join me in an ultramarathon race adventure, and to support my designated charity for the race - Mobius Kids! (http://www.mobiusspokane.org/). At 6:00 a.m. on July 23rd I will toe the starting line to run and walk 135 miles from the lowest point in the United States in Death Valley, California to the slopes of Mt. Whitney. You can track race progress via near-real time web coverage (http://www.adventurecorps.com/webcast/index.html).
Why Mobius Kids?
When I am in Death Valley I am struck by the incredible natural beauty we too often do not see, and sometimes do not notice.
I am struck by a sense of wonder. Where did all these shapes and colors come from? How were they formed? How is it that what looks like a large lump of melting chocolate ice cream is next to vanilla cream cliffs and slopes? In Death Valley it seems as though all the topsoil has been stripped away, leaving an awe inspiring "spine of the earth."
How can we pass this sense of wonder on to our kids, with a sense of exploration that lasts a lifetime - and perhaps leads into careers in medicine, space exploration or one of many scientific disciplines?
An answer is that we can support education that engages our children - both our established formal institutions and ad hoc supporting organizations.
One of these later organizations is Mobius Kids. Opened in its current location September 2005, it has been very successful, with over 120,000 visitors to date. But, like all children's museums, its operating expenses are more than its admissions and events fees. To enable Mobius Kids to continue to serve kids and their families, our community must financially support it.
How can you help?
This is where you and I can make a difference.
Please consider a donation of $1 or more per mile of the race (135 miles), although any amount would be appreciated. I myself am contributing $10/mile. For your convenience you can donate through PayPal (http://mobiusspokane.org/news_events.html) or mail contributions to: Mary Tyrie, Executive Director, Mobius Kids, 808 W. Main St., Lower, Level, Spokane, WA 99201.
In addition, assuming you are supportive, would you be kind enough to forward the email address for this blog (http://2007raceforkids.blogspot.com/) on to your friends? Thank you.
What is Mobius Kids?
Mobius Kids is a wonderful, energizing and engaging children’s museum in Spokane, WA. Mobius Kids provides hands-on learning, creativity and fun for kids and their families. The museum offers seven exciting permanent exhibits, traveling exhibits, programs, classes, and events. It is located in downtown Spokane, at River Park Square, 808 W. Main St., in the lower level. (509) 624-KIDS [5437]. Again, the web site address is: http://www.mobiusspokane.org/
Mobius
I currently serve on the board of Mobius, which oversees Mobius Kids and the Mobius Science Center project. Mobius is dedicated not only to early science and arts education as exemplified by Mobius Kids, but also to engaging those from ages 8-80 in the wonder of our world through science education by means of a new science center to be located in Spokane. This center will serve all of the Inland Northwest region.
Badwater Race
Since 2002 I have been associated with the Badwater race - having run it in 2002, started in 2004 but dropping out at 80 miles due to a pre-race injury, volunteering in 2003 and 2005, and having run a "solo" race (outside of the official race) in 2005 in early August (see pictures of the 2005 run in the right column of this blog).
I love the race, the course, the runners, the vistas, the challenge, running in the heat, and simply “the feeling” of doing it. Like where it starts and where it ends; both are my kind of country. I have enjoyed being on both sides of the event -- as a runner and someone taking care of runners.
From the race's website: http://www.badwater.com/
"Adventure CORPS, an event production firm specializing in ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, will host the 30th Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon on July 23-25, 2007. A true "challenge of the champions," this legendary foot race pits approximately up to 90 of the world’s toughest athletes–runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers–against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F (55C), it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet."
"The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at the Mt. Whitney Portals at 8360' (2533m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent. The Portals are the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States."
"Held as a race since 1987, this great tradition began with Al Arnold's solo trek from Badwater to Mt. Whitney in 1977, Jay Birmingham's record-breaking run in 1981, followed by scores of solo efforts, and then the Badwater 135 races from 1987 through 1999. AdventureCORPS has continued that tradition by producing the Badwater Ultramarathon since 1999."
Thank you so very much!
