ATTN MEDIA: For a PDF of the entire Press Kit please email:
annah@goodforkidsfoundation.org
Team GFK's photos available on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nabzn/collections/72157623425778399/
PRESS KIT TABLE OF CONTENTS (Scroll down for full text)
About Team Good for Kids
Press Release
-Lia Farley - Bio
-Stephen Major - Bio
-Nicholas Wickes - Bio
TEAM GFK Events Calendar
About Good For Kids Foundation
About RacingThePlanet: Australia
About Team Good For Kids
Team Good For Kids is raising support for the Good For Kids (GFK)
Foundation scholarships and programs by participating in expedition length
stage races. Good For Kids is a youth arts and sports 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit based in San Francisco, CA.
Good for Kids Executive Director, Nicholas Wickes, has participated in
this format of races since 2003. He started Team Good For Kids in 2007 and
invited Bay Area athletes Piera Damonte and Lia Farley to race in the 22nd
edition of the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert. Since then,
Farley and Wickes have participated in RacingThePlanet: Gobi March 2008,
and RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009. On April 25, 2010 Farley and Wickes
return to RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010, joined by new team member
Stephen Major, an avid runner and Fire Engineer from the South County Fire
Authority in Tracy, CA.
About Good For Kids Foundation
Good For Kids awards 6th, 7th and 8th graders from low income Bay Area
families arts and sports scholarship programs. The foundation has awarded
100 summer camp scholarships to assist youth to attend summer camp, and
more than 40 scholarships for its 12-week 1-on1 art or sport coaching
program. Good for Kids graduates have gone on to participate in San
Francisco Opera productions, displayed their artwork at the deYoung
Museum, and been accepted into the Junior Olympic Archery Development
Team. Additionally, many GFK graduates also remain involved with Good For
Kids through their Advisory Services program, where kids continue to
support the next generation of Good For Kids scholarship recipients and
their communities through Assistant Coaching positions and Junior Advisory
Board membership.
Team Good For Kids will be competing in RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010,
which begins Sunday, April 25th and ends Saturday, May 1, 2010. To stay
updated on each stage of the race and Team Good For Kids’ progress log on
to http://www.goodforkidsfoundation.org/TeamGoodforKids2010
Media Contact: Anna Hernandez
annah@goodforkidsfoundation.org
PRESS RELEASE
Bay Area Athletes to Race the Remote and Rugged Kimberley in Western Australia
San Francisco, CA – March 15, 2010
This April, three Bay Area runners will race as “Team Good For Kids” in a
7-day expedition length stage race in Western Australia. Team Good For
Kids will be racing to support San Francisco’s Good For Kids Foundation,
which offers 6th, 7th and 8th graders from low-income families summer camp
programs, 12 week 1-on-1 coaching scholarships, and advisory services to
help them realize their artistic and athletic abilities.
Team Good For Kids racers are Lia Farley from Oakland, Nicholas Wickes
from San Francisco, and Stephen Major from Concord.
Team Good For Kids will participate in RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010,
which will cover the areas of the Kimberley and Bungle Bungle Range over a
total distance of 150 miles. The expedition length stage race is a 7-day
foot race with race stages averaging 24 miles daily, and one stage of 50
to 60 miles. Over 200 racers from more than 30 countries are expected to
participate. Racers carry up to 30 lb backpacks with mandatory food
quantities, equipment, and clothing, while the race organization provides
water, tents, and medical and emergency staff.
Team Good For Kids’ members Farley and Wickes have a record of winning
performances in expedition length footraces. In 2008 Farley came in first
in the women’s division and eighth overall in RacingThePlanet: Gobi March.
Last year in RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009, Farley placed second amongst
the women and earned a fifth place ranking overall. The team welcomes
Stephen Major, a firefighter from Concord, CA who is taking on the
challenge of an expedition race for the first time. Veteran expedition
racer and Executive Director of Good For Kids Foundation, Nicholas Wickes,
has competed in these races since 2003, and looks forward to his eighth
expedition footrace.
Team Good For Kids began in 2007 to help raise donations to support Good
For Kids Foundation, a youth arts and sports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
based in San Francisco. Since 2004, Good For Kids has awarded more than
100 summer camp scholarships and 40 1-on1 coaching scholarships. GFK
graduates have gone onto to participate in San Francisco Opera
productions, displayed their artwork at the deYoung Museum, and been
accepted into the Junior Olympic Archery Development Team. “I know we’ve
done our job when Coaching Scholarship graduates return to Good For Kids
as Assistant Coaches and Junior Advisory Board Members to support the next
generation of scholarship recipients, further building their skills and
communities.” says Nicholas Wickes, Good for Kids Executive Director.
Team Good For Kids will be competing in RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010,
which begins Sunday, April 25th and ends Saturday, May 1, 2010. To stay
updated on each stage of the race and Team Good For Kids’ progress log on
to http://www.goodforkidsfoundation.org/TeamGoodforKids2010
Media Contact: Anna Hernandez
annah@goodforkidsfoundation.org
Team Good For Kids Member Bio
Name: Lia Farley
Profession: Site Architect, Keller Mitchell & Co, Oakland, CA USA
Race Experience:
1996 Cross country bikepacking ~3700 mi (Oregon to Georgia)
2002 Cross country bikepacking (New Zealand)
2002 24 Hours Moab (Moab, UT)
2002 Gorge Games 24-hour Adventure Race (Hood River, OR)
2003 Tahoe Rim mountain bikepacking ~182 mi (Lake Tahoe, NV)
2004 Red Tail 12-hour Adventure Race (Livermore, CA)
2005 Great Continental Divide mountain bikepacking ~2660 mi (Canada to
Mexico)
2005 Lake Tahoe 24-hour Adventure Race (Lake Tahoe, NV)
2006 Woodside Kings Mountain Run - 30k (Huddart County Park, Woodside, CA)
2006 Pirates Cove Trail Run - 30k (Marin Headlands, CA)
2007, 2008, 2009 Sierra Nevada Endurance Run, double marathon, 52.4 mi
(Granite Bay, CA)
2007 Marathon des Sables (Sahara Desert)
2008 Racing the Planet: Gobi March (China) – 1st Women’s, 8th Overall
2009 Racing the Planet: Namibia (Africa) – 2nd Women’s, 5th Overall
2009 Redwood Park Trail Run - 50k (Redwood Regional Park, Oakland, CA)
Statement: Why are you racing with Team Good For Kids in Western Australia?
“When I was a kid, I was fortunate to be able to participate in many
extracurricular coaching and tutoring programs. I learned of the vital
connections between practicing and improvement, working through failures
to reach success. Simple lessons, certainly, but I learned at a critical
stage in life such that they became second nature.
It is largely because of those experiences that I have the confidence to
even attempt these seemingly insane multi-day races. As Good for Kids
provides these opportunities to kids who would do not otherwise have them,
it is a perfect synergy – and an honor - to be able to represent the
organization during the race.”
Team Good For Kids Member Bio
Name: Stephen Major
Profession: Fire Engineer, South County Fire Authority, Tracy, CA USA
Race Experience:
2003 Providian Relay (Calistoga to Santa Cruz, CA)
2003 DeCelle Lake Tahoe Relay (Lake Tahoe, CA)
2004 Tracy Bean Run 10K (Tracy, CA) – 8th Overall
2005 JF KAPNEK 5K (Walnut Creek, CA) – 13th Overall
2005 Tracy Run for the Ribbon 5K (Tracy, CA)
2005 Run to Remember 9-11 10K (San Francisco, CA)
2005 NASMC Back to School 10K (Pleasanton, CA) – 10th Overall
2006 Bay to Breakers 12K (San Francisco, CA)
2008 Mt. Tam 10K (Marin, CA)
2008 Bay to Breakers 12K (San Francisco, CA)
2009 Hook and Ladder 10K (Pleasanton, CA) – 13th Overall
2009 Bay to Breakers 12K (San Francisco, CA)
2009 Mountain House 5K (Mountain House, CA) – 3rd Overall
2009 California International Marathon (Sacramento, CA)
2009 Tour de Cure 2009 Century Bike Ride (Napa, CA)
2009 King Ridge Gran Fondo Century Bike Ride (Santa Rosa, CA)
Statement: Why are you racing with Team Good For Kids in Western Australia?
“I am racing with Team Good For Kids for multiple reasons. First, I
believe in the Good For Kids Foundation’s premise of empowering children
to reach their potential and to achieve their goals by fostering artistic
and athletic abilities. I would like to help raise awareness and hopefully
financial support for the Good For Kids Foundation by participating in
this event. I know and trust the people involved with and managing the
Good for Kids Foundation. I believe in their ability to administer the
program well, select the very best coaches and teachers for the children,
and to provide a unique and enriching experience for the children.
Finally, I am looking forward to the opportunity to push myself both
physically and mentally. This will be the most demanding event I have
participated in to date. I want to challenge what I had believed to be my
limits during the training leading up to the race and during the event
itself. I’m also looking forward to a great adventure in the “Outback” and
I’m certain that I will meet some fantastic people along the way.”
Team Good For Kids Member Bio
Name: Nicholas Wickes
Profession: Executive Director, Good For Kids Foundation, San Francisco,
CA USA
Race Experience:
2001 Escape from Alcatraz (San Francisco, CA)
2002 Vineman Half-IronMan (Guerneville, CA)
2002 24 Hours Moab (Moab, UT)
2003 Marathon des Sables (Sahara Desert)
2004 Vineman Half-IronMan (Guerneville, CA)
2006 Coastal Challenge (Costa Rica)
2006 Racing the Planet: Atacama Crossing (Chile) – Rank 40th
2007 Marathon des Sables (Sahara Desert)
2008 Racing the Planet: Gobi March (China) – Rank 38th
2009 Racing the Planet: Namibia (Africa) – Rank 32nd
Statement: Why are you racing with Team Good For Kids in Western Australia?
“Team Good for Kids has been a wonderful opportunity for me to mix
fundraising for much needed youth arts and sports education with shared
adventures on the trail in some of the worlds most beautiful places. Over
the years it’s been an honor to race with outstanding Bay Area athletes
and friends. The team has done a tremendous job promoting Good for Kids’
work to motivate and empower young people through arts and sports. I’m
tremendously grateful for their efforts and the support from Bay Area
individuals and communities over the years, and excited to continue our
tradition in The Kimberley of Western Australia in 2010”
TEAM GFK EVENT CALENDAR
The following events offer opportunities to meet and interview Team Good
For Kids. Additional interview and photo opportunities may be arranged
through Media Contact: Anna Hernandez, annah@goodforkidsfoundation.org
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Team Good For Kids event at Sports Basement (Presidio location)
Team GFK talks about competing in RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010,and
Good For Kids Foundation shares its recent accomplishments.
Light snacks, wine, refreshments and a raffle.
Location: Sports Basement 610 Old Mason St, San Francisco, CA, 94129
Time: 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Monday, April 19, 2010
Team Good For Kids departs for Australia from SFO.
Team GFK will be available before their flight for interviews.
Location: International terminal lobby - United Airlines Ticket Counter
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Team Good For Kids Race Updates
Monday, April 20, 2010 Through Sunday, May 2, 2010
Team GFK updates before and during the race will be communicated via:
Team Good For Kids Snippets
Email teamgoodforkids@goodforkidsfoundation.org
SUBJECT: OPT IN
Team Good For Kids Blog
Log into: http://teamgoodforkids.blogspot.com
Good For Kids Facebook Page
Become a fan:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Good-for-Kids/#!/pages/Good-for-Kids/195091885471?ref=ts
About Good For Kids Foundation
Good For Kids Mission & Vision
Through Camp Programs, 1-on-1 Coaching Scholarships, and Advisory Services
Good for Kids Foundation motivates and empowers young people to improve
their lives and their communities through their artistic and athletic
abilities.
Good for Kids’ vision is to see the growth of young people into
constructive contributors to their communities. We believe children can
do this with awareness of their potential, the drive to achieve
outstanding goals through their unique abilities, and support from their
communities
Good For Kids Programs
At Good for Kids, we motivate 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from low-income
backgrounds to realize their artistic and athletic potential. Through our
Summer Camp Program at Camp Mendocino, our 1-on-1 Coaching Program, and
Advisory Services we help children discover, develop, and achieve.
Phase 1: Summer Camp Program
We work with other local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs
of San Francisco, to introduce children to 10–14 day camp environments
with sports, arts, and outdoor life education.
Phase 2: 1-on-1 Coaching Program
We select candidates who we believe will benefit from a 12-15 week
one-on-one coaching scholarship in an art or a sport. With the support of
local professionals, we provide tuition, a coach, and the facility
necessary for the scholarship recipient to explore the depths of their
ability and realize their potential as individuals.
Phase 3: Advisory Services
Once our scholarship recipients have graduated from the 1-on-1 coaching
program, we work with them through high school to stay involved with their
activity and broaden their understanding of its scope and opportunities.
Through our partners, we develop internships, apprenticeships, and other
levels of commitment for our members to broaden their understanding of
their art or sport and the application of their skills in a real world
setting. This provides Good For Kids’ scholarship graduates with the
opportunity to achieve real world goals through their own ability and
commitment. This is also their time to mentor younger members of Good for
Kids and to contribute their lessons learned to improving their
communities and Good for Kids programs for the future.
About Expedition Length Footraces
Many expedition length footraces are seven-day staged events that normally
take place in the desert, covering over 150 miles of varied terrain. The
six stages of the race are between 10 to 60 miles, averaging 24 miles a
day, with one stage between 50-60 miles. Racers carry up to 30 lb
backpacks with the required food, equipment, and clothing for 7 days. A
liter and a half of water is provided at each 7-mile interval, where the
race organization also provides medical centers to take care of everything
from blisters to heat stokes. At the end of each stage, racers are
provided a tent, which they share with 6 to 10 other races. They recoup,
mend damages, and socialize, while rehydrating their evening meals, and
preparing for the next day’s stage.
About RacingThePlanet: Australia 2010
http://www.4deserts.com/beyond/australia/
RacingThePlanet is a unique category of rough country footraces that take
place over seven days and some 250 kilometers in remote and culturally
rich locations around the world. Competitors must carry all their own
equipment and food, are only provided with water and a place in a tent
each day but are supported by professional medical and operations teams.
RacingThePlanet is international; the events typically involve competitors
from over 20 different countries who are able to mingle around the
campfires and in their geographically mixed tents. Currently the events
consist of the 4 Deserts, a series which encompasses the Gobi Desert in
China, the Atacama Desert of Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and
Antarctica, and a fifth event, which roves to a new location each year.
Source: RacingThePlanet.
http://www.4deserts.com/beyond/australia/rtpnmb.php?SID=2&SBID=wrtp
