Human Race – Austin
by Colin Wallis (LIVESTRONG Staff)
August 31, 2008 will go down in history as the day the whole world ran together in support of the LAF, WWF, and UNHCR. The Nike + Human Race was an historic event that took place in 25 cities around the globe and challenged people from all around the world to run both at physical events and virtually through the Nike + system.
Austin, TX 08-31-08 6:30PM CDT
It was a typical late summer day in Austin, TX sweltering temperatures, high humidity from recent rain, and heat rising from the asphalt of downtown. The only difference today was the addition of some 15,000 runners replacing the daily traffic up and down Congress Avenue. One by one, runners of all shapes and sizes all dressed in red showed up to toe the starting line of the biggest running event in history. A sea of red stretched from 6th Street all the way to the Capital along Congress Avenue. As the national anthem played and Lance addressed the crowd, the anticipation built. The starting gun blasted and for a solid 20 minutes, runners and walkers crossed the starting line to begin the Nike + Human Race. As the crowd traversed the streets of Austin past 6th Street, the Capital, and UT, the sea of red was constantly visible – The sheer enormity of the execution was brilliant. Talking to people throughout the run, the overwhelming sentiment was excitement from participants who were glad to be part of such an event. The advance buzz of the event was clear and people had come from far and wide to Austin just to participate and feel the energy. As the sun went down and the race came to a close, sweaty red-shirted runners gathered around to listen to Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals play a fantastic set at the foot of the Capital. It was a unique setting and a fitting end to an historic day. Thanks to all of the friends of the Lance Armstrong Foundation who came together to help orchestrate our participation in the Nike + Human Race whether you walked, ran, listened, volunteered, or simply watched, you helped us make history. Thank you!
