Epic Run 2011

Health Bridges International is sponsoring an exciting fundraising event in December 2011. The First Annual Bridging the Divide: 100 Kilometers for the Poor, will take place on two challenging courses through some of the poorest areas in Lima, Peru and the high-altitude city of Arequipa, Peru.

HBI will be holding two charity runs in the two principle cities of Peru. In Lima we will run a course that takes us from high sand hills to the Pacific Ocean; and in Arequipa, we will run up and down high Andean foothills. This two-event run will draw greater attention to the needs of the poor and highlight the opportunity to better support Peruvian organizations. HBI will be partnering with Peruvian healthcare NGO's to emphasize the health and medical needs of people living in extreme poverty in Lima and Arequipa.

The logistics for the event are as follows:

(1) Dates: The runs will take place on December 10 and December 13. Runners who decide to join HBI, will need to be in Peru by December 08. Every major carrier (LAN Chile, Continental, Delta, American) and a few lesser airlines (Taca, Spirit Airlines, Copa Airlines), have flights from the east and west coast of the U.S. (Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Atlanta) into Lima.

(2) Details: We are only taking 5-runners on this trip.* The logistics and the planning are such that we need to limit the number of participants. If you are interested - please contact Ben Grass (HBI's Director of Operations; benjamin@HBInt.org) as soon as possible. We will close out the slots on a first come first go basis.

(3) Fundraiser: We are asking anyone who chooses to join Health Bridges International for this event to help raise donations and support. Every runner is expected to raise a minimum of $1,000 in pledges or donations. Participants will receive information to help explain the logistics and methods for fundraising. All donations to HBI are tax deductible and go directly to help support programs and projects for the poorest communities in Latin America.

(4) Preparations: The run will take place during the Latin American summer months (think Southern Hemisphere). Plan for hot weather in Lima and warm weather at very high altitude (8,000 feet above sea level) in Arequipa. We will have all of the supplies taken care of - from food to clean water to hotel accommodations. You will need to be prepared to run two 50km "races" in three days. This is not going to be an easy event. And, it will be the adventure of a lifetime . . . guaranteed!

(5) Trip Costs: Participants will need to budget for the following (approximate) expenses:

Item	Expected Cost
Air travel – international	$1,000-1,400
Air travel – Domestic	$150
Room and Board (we will cover room, transfers, most meals and general supplies)	$375
Event Costs	$125
Total	$1,650-2,050

We will need to get hotel rooms, rent vehicles and start the planning really soon. So please get in contact with Ben Grass (benjamin@HBInt.org) as soon as possible. Until then - start running.

* HBI reserves the right to screen runners for their ability to complete this very challenging event.