Nike Sponsored Ultra Endurance Athlete Jason Lester Will Run From Las Vegas Through Death Valley To Mount Whitney To Raise $1 Million Dollars For Clean Water Charity - 306 Miles

Online, March 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - World Water Day 2011-- Jason Lester, ESPY Award Winner, activist and ultra endurance athlete of EPIC5 fame, will run 306 miles from Las Vegas through Death Valley, continuing along the Badwater course until reaching Mount Whitney in an effort to raise funds for an international clean water charity. The event, titled H2OPE 2011: Badwater for Clean Water, will take place August 22-26. The idea for this project was born out of Lester's belief that athletic pursuits are an excellent platform from which to raise money for charity.

Lester's Never Stop Foundation will be managing the details and promotion of the run. Lester founded the Never Stop Foundation in 2009 to address the unmet needs of challenged youth by utilizing the positive forces of athletic pursuits and the arts. Taking a page from his inspirational book titled "Running on Faith" (HarperCollins 2010), Lester notes "I truly believe that the gifts and talents we are given are not meant to be used for self-glorification, but for the building-up, supporting and encouragement of others. We should use our gifts to make the world a better place."

World-renown ultrarunner Lisa Smith-Batchen will serve as Lester's crew chief and is uniquely qualified for the position because she is the only person who has ever successfully completed the grueling trek. Smith-Batchen completed the demanding 306 mile run from Las Vegas to Mount Whitney in 2008 in order to raise funds for AIDS orphans ( over $5,500,000 to date ). Running for charitable causes is a definitive aspect of Smith Batchen's career and life. Speaking about the H2OPE fund raiser, Lisa says "It is such an honor to work with Jason on this project. Jason's spirit, attitude, faith, heart and purpose behind his passion bring such an amazing gift to so many people of all walks of life. Jason's 'leave no one behind' philosophy and his desire to help others have a better life makes me realize even more that alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much."

All donations will go directly to funding Operation Blessing's clean water projects in villages around the world that currently lack access to local, safe water. Donations can be made at ob.org/H2OPE. OBI was awarded Charity Navigator's coveted 4 star rating for sound fiscal management for the fifth year in a row (2009), a feat that only 4% of rated charities have ever achieved. In November 2010, Forbes named OBI as the 6th most efficient charity in America, with more than 99% of the charity's expenditures going directly to help those in need. Over the past 12 years, Operation Blessing has built more than 10,000 wells, benefiting more than 4 million people all over the world.

"My passion is to do all that I can to assist children, especially challenged children, in fulfilling their potential. It is difficult to think of a tougher, more life threatening obstacle to achieving that than the lack of access to clean, safe drinking water. Without clean water one does not have an opportunity to live a healthy life, much less thrive. My hope, my vision, and my determination is that every child, every family would have a source of clean water in their communities". Lester goes on to say "It is our responsibility as citizens that have access to clean water to participate in helping to create a significant difference in the lives of many. Water is essential to life, lives can be changed by a simple commitment to H2OPE project".

For more information please visit www.H2OPE2011.com

Jason's personal site: www.jasonplester.com

For inquiries please contact [email protected]