HAITI BENEFIT CYCLING EVENT RAISES OVER $24,000 TO SUPPORT HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

L'Union Fait la Force / Strength Through Unity = National Motto of Haiti

LA JOLLA, CA - AdventureCORPS, Inc., an athlete-run firm based in La Jolla which produces some of the world's toughest sports events - including the Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508 races in Death Valley - hosted "80 FOR HAITI," a cycling benefit ride for Haiti relief supporting Mercy Corps on Saturday, February 13, 2010. The "80 FOR HAITI" cycling event start / finish line as just 44 miles east of San Diego, in Pine Valley and the route featured an 80-mile ride along Old Hwy 80 in southeastern San Diego County. One hundred percent of the $80 entry fees went directly to Mercy Corps, one of the most respected relief organizations worldwide. A total of 157 cyclists from across California and from as far away as Wisconsin registered to ride the event, paying $13,400 in entry fees. Of the 157, 148 actually rode the event, plus over 100 non-riding supporters donated $11,053, totaling at least $24,453 to support Mercy Corps' efforts in Haiti as of the day of the event. This is the only known cycling event in the USA which was created in response to the crisis in Haiti and is likely one of the only fundraisers of any kind which donated 100% of the proceeds (not just "the profit") to support Haiti relief efforts.

The 80 FOR HAITI riders rolled out from Pine Valley Country Park from 800am to 830am and spent five to more than eight hours completing the rigorous course which featured just over 6000' of total elevation gain through San Diego County's quietest back-country. The weather was absolutely spectacular, with clear, blue skies, and light wind. Sights and highlights of the ride included the little-known hamlets of Boulevard and Jacumba, incredible views of the Anza-Borrego Desert far below the turn-around spot at Desert View Tower atop Inkapah Pass, lush views south into Mexico and north to Mount Laguna, and 80 miles of traffic-free, world-class cycling along Old Hwy 80 and Hwy 94.

A team of AdventureCORPS staffers and volunteers took care of the riders as they make their journey. That effort was made easier by the donations of several product sponsors:

Infusions of Tea, a La Jolla-based tea house and tea wholesaler, donated and served hot tea for all the riders to enjoy before beginning the ride. Chuao Chocolatier, the first Venezuelan Chocolatier based in the USA and Southern California’s premier artisan chocolatier, donated chocolate for the riders. Jimbo's Naturally Market donated cookies, chips, and other organic snacks. Clif Bar donated energy bars and drinks. Pharmaca donated green tea energy shots. REI donated hand-warming packets to help with the chilly temperature at the start line. Temecula bike shop Cyco-Path donated $1000 to Mercy Corps and provided roving support on the course all day, tending to bikes and riders with their expertise. As at all AdventureCORPS events, energy and electrolyte drinks and gels by Hammer Nutrition were served. The logo was created and donated by graphic and commercial artist Bill Oetinger. The operating expenses for the event, such as portable toilets, permits, insurance, rental vans, water bottles and tote bags for all the riders, the rest of the food served along the course, as well as pizza and soda at the finish, was paid for by ride organizers AdventureCORPS.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS!
Dawn, Cassidy, and Zack Mayeda: Check-In, Checkpoint 1 and Checkpoint 3
Joe Poma and Ryan Clarke: Tea Maestros, Checkpoint 2, and Checkpoint 3
Elizabeth Jefferson and Kassidi Stapley: Check-In, Checkpoint 1, Checkpoint 3, and Finish Line
Tina Angeles: Checkpoint 2, Checkpoint 3, and Finish Line
George and Alexander Vargas: Checkpoint 1, Checkpoint 3, and Finish Line
Les Campbell: Roving SAG all day, everywhere and anywhere
Chris Kostman: Start Line, Checkpoint Delivery, Roving, and Photography

ABOUT THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake. Its epicentre was near the town of Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake; Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive stated on 3 February 2010 that 200,000 people had been identified as dead and estimated that 300,000 injured had been treated. Bellerive also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. Source (and more details): Wikipedia.com

OFFICIAL CHARITY
The Official Charity of 80 FOR HAITI is Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is a team of 3700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, they are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, they are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people they serve. According to their website:

"Mercy Corps has long been recognized as an excellent steward of the resources entrusted to it. Over the past five years, more than 89 percent of our resources have been allocated to programs that help people in need. Ensuring that resources are wisely spent is the cornerstone of our values, vision, and strategy for growth in the future. We are proud of the awards, endorsements, memberships, and honors that substantiate our track record of accountability." Source (and more details about their efforts in Haiti)

As international relief efforts continue in Haiti, a Mercy Corps earthquake response team is in Port-au-Prince responding to urgent needs. Registering for this ride - or donating to the cause, for those who can't do the actual ride - will help families in Haiti recover from the most powerful quake to hit the country in more than 200 years. Mercy Corps relief workers with experience in disaster responses ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the Myanmar cyclone have converged on Haiti from Africa, Asia, and North America. They're focusing first on the immediate needs -- for water, food, temporary shelter supplies and much more -- and expanding their work to three areas: clean water, post-trauma support for children, and job creation.

Click here for the event's fundraising page with Mercy Corps. Donate today!

ABOUT ADVENTURECORPS
La Jolla, CA-based AdventureCORPS, Inc. is an athlete-run firm producing and promoting ultra-endurance and extreme sports events, lifestyle, and media. Adventure is our way of life. AdventureCORPS’ world-class events for athlete-adventurers include epic races such as the Badwater Ultramarathon and Furnace Creek 508, muiti-day cycling lifestyle adventures known as CORPScamps, the annual Rough Riders Rally in Marin County, plus several 100- and 200-mile cycling events in Death Valley, and on and around San Diego County's Mt. Laguna. We also host and develop our adventure-related websites and blogs and provide a variety of adventure-related services. Founded in 1984 by Chris Kostman, this group effort is dedicated to exploring the inner and outer universes, seeking adventure, energy, and insight both in daily life and "out there." AdventureCORPS is a member of 1% For The Planet and the Conservation Alliance, and supports three Official Charities: Challenged Athletes Foundation, Death Valley Natural History Association, and Major Taylor Association.

Click here for a six-minute video slideshow with music, featuring the same images as on this page.

Click here for the Roster of Riders, Donors, Supporters, and Media

Click here for the Preview Slideshow and Video of the Route

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions and Pre-Event Press Release.

Click here to donate to Mercy Corps.

Click here for the main 80 For Haiti page.