Seventy-Year-Old Runner Pledges to Run Seven Marathons in Seven Months for Seven Charities

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 29 June 2001

Alzheimer's Association to receive funds raised during Australian Marathon

To celebrate his 70th birthday, Hal Higdon, a senior writer for Runner's World Magazine, plans to run seven marathons in seven months. Higdon hopes to raise $700,000 through his efforts. The money raised will be donated to seven charities, including the Alzheimer's Association.

On July 14, 2001, Higdon will embark on his second of seven marathons at the 14th World Veterans Championships, in Brisbane, Australia, on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association. The World Veterans Championships, limited to men over 40 and women over 35, attracts approximately 5,000 track and field competitors from more than 75 countries every other year.

"I've competed at every World Veterans Championships except for one. I placed third in the Men's 45 + division marathon in 1977, and won the same age division four years later, only four months short of my 50th birthday," said Higdon. "So this marathon has special meaning for me. But, I won't be going for the gold. I'll be happy to finish under five hours."

Higdon will donate the money raised through the World Veterans Championships marathon to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease affects approximately four million Americans. One in ten persons 65 and older and nearly half of those 85 and older have Alzheimer's disease.

"If a cure is not found, more than 14 million Americans will develop Alzheimer's disease by the middle of this century. We are in a race against time to stop this devastating disease," said Alan Stone, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO. "We must marshal our resources and efforts to eliminate Alzheimer's while providing help to families who now combat this disease everyday, and we hope Hal Higdon's generous support and dedication to the Alzheimer's Association will inspire others to do the same."

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org