Pacific Shoreline Marathon and Free Wheelchair Mission have teamed up to raise funds to send thousands of wheelchairs overseas to physically disabled people in underdeveloped countries.

In the new “Run for Mobility” program, runners can become fundraisers by running the marathon, half marathon, or 5K and committing to raising donations from businesses, friends, and co-workers as part of the activity. Participating runners will be recognized at a community dinner at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort during Race Weekend. The event will also add a wheelchair division race as part of their half marathon, the “Roll for Mobility” Wheelchair Half Marathon.

“We are proud to be a partner in this monumental effort with Free Wheelchair Mission,” stated Amy Tomchak, co-owner of the Pacific Shoreline Marathon. “This organization has true vision, big goals, and extraordinary impact on the lives of people around the world.”

 Free Wheelchair Mission’s impact was highlighted in the international film, “Emmanuel’s Gift,” a popular documentary about increasing awareness and mobility for disabled people around the world. The central “hero” in the show, and spokesperson for FWM, Emmanuel, received the ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage award presented by Oprah Winfrey on ESPN last month. Emmanuel appeared on the “Oprah” show last Thursday, September 29th.

Fundraisers who want to become runners or runners who want to become fundraisers can join the Run for Mobility Team at www.psmarathon.com.

About Free Wheelchair Mission
Free Wheelchair Mission, the Orange County California based non-profit organization is committed to providing the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countries. Free Wheelchair Mission creatively partners with like-minded international humanitarian and indigenous organizations and plans to distribute 20 million wheelchairs by the year 2010. Started in 2001, the organization has distributed more than 70,000 wheelchairs worldwide, including a shipment to Iraq this summer. For more information, visit www.freewheelchairmission.org.

About the Pacific Shoreline Marathon
The longest running marathon and half marathon in Orange County, the Pacific Shoreline Marathon is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on February, 5th, Super Bowl Sunday.  This year’s event is expecting 10,000 runners from all 50 states and several foreign countries. Every marathon finisher will receive a free Sony Walkman MP3 player and half marathoners who break the course record will receive a share of a $10,000 Bonus pool. In addition to the participants, over 1,200 volunteers will support the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and kids’ events. For more information or to register, please visit www.psmarathon.com.