[Huntington Beach, CA] 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, participants in the February 5th, 2006 Pacific Shoreline Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K run/walk can become fundraisers. A fundraiser recognition dinner featuring guest speaker Peggy Fleming, will be held at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort on Friday, February 3rd. The Pacific Shoreline Half Marathon will also add a wheelchair division to the race as part of 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, remarkable 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,” an award winning documentary about increasing awareness and mobility for disabled people around the world. The central “hero” in the film, and spokesperson for FWM, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, will be participating in this year’s 5K to raise funds with thousands of other runners and walkers.

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.

Media Contacts:

Jonathan Abramson
Marketing Coordinator
Free Wheelchair Mission
Costa Mesa, CA
714-708-2100 X 207   
jfwm@cox.net