August 2009

Famed runner joins marathon

The Non-Profit Chiropractic Organization (NPCO) announced last month that world-class runner Reza Baluchi will run as a member of its team for this October's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. A life-long fan and supporter of chiropractic, Baluchi is known for his Los Angeles to Ground Zero (New York) run in 2003 that he dubbed, "Run 4 Peace." The journey covered 3,720 miles over a period of 124 days. In 2008, Baluchi ran the perimeter of the United States (11,500 miles) in 202 days, averaging 57 miles per day.

"I love running. It allows me to reach out to people around the world and help everyone unite for a common cause: peace," Iranian-born Baluchi explained. "Running is my release and some days you will find me running just 25-35 miles; other days I run 55-70 miles and on my long runs, you can find me running close to 100 miles per day."

NPCO President Joshua Heines noted: "We are extremely honored to have one of the best runners in the world leading Team NPCO for chiropractic... Reza, who has spent years running distances most people would consider impossible, runs in the name of peace and the determination to make the world a better place. He is a perfect fit to lead our team of 78 runners as they run to spread awareness and the need for chiropractic care around the world."

Baluchi is a fan of chiropractic and has said he would not be able to endure his long runs without the chiropractors who take care of him at the end of his long days. "I always have chiropractors who meet me along my long routes and some of them run with me. They give me extra energy while making my body perform at its peak. We all share the same goal of spreading the message of peace and harmony," he commented.

He encourages the chiropractic profession to support him and Team NPCO as they work together to promote peace and help the less fortunate around the world with chiropractic care.

Following his participation in the Chicago Marathon, Baluchi will begin his journey of a lifetime: running across the world, through a total of 194 countries. The trek will take five years to complete and will be documented by a film crew and streamed live on his website, RunWithReza.org. "Some have called me a robot," Baluchi said. "And I tell them I am a robot running for peace."

For more information on Team NPCO and the Chicago marathon, visit www.NPCO.org .