Running Escapes Selected As Top 30 Finalist in VerticalResponse 'New Deal' For Small Business Competition

Online, March 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Running Escapes Selected As Top 30 Finalist in VerticalResponse 'New Deal' For Small Business Competition

Public Voting Open Now Through April 9; Winners Announced April 12, 2010.

Dallas, TX (March 29, 2010) Running Escapes, who builds teams to run long distance, overnight relay races, announced today that it has been selected as one of the top thirty finalists in the VerticalResponse 'New Deal' for Small Business competition. VerticalResponse, a provider of self-service email marketing, online surveys and direct mail services, is giving away $10,000 as part of the competition. VerticalResponse recognizes the power that small businesses have to boost the economy and quicken America's recovery, and created the 'New Deal' competition to reward deserving small businesses.

In total there were over 70 video submissions for the 'New Deal' for Small Business competition, which ranged from young small business entrepreneurs to older and more experienced entrepreneurs. Industries represented included solar energy, theatre, new media, holistic services, pets, entertainment, and retail.

"When we started this competition, we had decided to list just 10 small business entries, but due to the quality of responses we had to list 30 videos," said Janine Popick, CEO of VerticalResponse. "We're so impressed that small businesses such as Running Escapes have taken time out of their busy days to create videos that highlight their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to making their businesses grow and succeed."

Public Voting Held Until April 9, 2010
Small business finalists, including Running Escapes, will be on the competition page (http://newdeal.verticalresponse.com/) for public voting until April 9, 2010. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the VerticalResponse 'New Deal' competition page and vote for their favorite small business. The prize winners will be announced on April 12, 2010 on the competition page. Additional details can be found in the YouTube video featuring VerticalResponse's CEO Janine Popick.

"The competition offered us a unique opportunity to make a video about what we do. If we win we will use the money to purchase space at marathon expo events and advertising. We need to help spread the word that Running Escapes is here to build teams, travel and run!"

Competition Background
The competition was inspired by recent media attention of the President's plea for banks to increase their lending to small businesses and his focus on job creation, which is similar to the New Deal initiative Franklin D. Roosevelt launched in 1933.

TO VOTE Running Escapes:
http://newdeal.verticalresponse.com/index.php?page=26

About Running Escapes
Running Escapes builds teams of runners to attend long distance relay races. These race are 170-270 miles in length. Teams of 6-12 runners will cover the course in 20-36 hours, usually running through the entire night. Running Escapes takes runners from across the world and builds teams to take on the course. They also provide a team leader and runner to the teams. Additionally, all of the details are taken care of leaving the runner to focus on running and having fun!

About VerticalResponse
VerticalResponse, Inc. is a leading provider of self-service email marketing, online surveys and direct mail services empowering small businesses to easily create, manage and analyze their own direct marketing campaigns. VerticalResponse bundles email, online surveys and postcards to offer customers an integrated Web-based direct marketing solution that's intuitive and affordable. VerticalResponse is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For additional information, please visit www.VerticalResponse.com