The National Marathon has teamed up with Pacers Running Stores and the Perpetual Prosperity Pump Foundation to host the "Bring Out the Old, Bring Home the New" end of the year shoe drive. The drive, hosted by Pacers Running Store in Clarendon, VA concludes this Saturday, December 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. As an incentive to donate "used but not abused" athletic shoes, the National Marathon will discount race entry fees by $10 for qualified participants while Pacers will discount selected items by 10% and give away Timex technical hats and InSport socks (while supplies last).

"As a runner, I know how easy it is to pile up a closet full of shoes and just dump them when they are old," said National Marathon director Keith Dowling. "This event not only helps runners find a good home for their old shoes, but will act as a great incentive to buy a new pair while getting a discount into our event as well."

Representatives from Perpetual Prosperity Pump Foundation, with some help from a running shoe wearing Santa, will be on hand Saturday to collect "used but not abused" athletic shoes. Pacers will also host educational seminars and a computerized gait analysis.

"Pacers Running Stores is proud to partner with the Perpetual Prosperity Pump Foundation and the National Marathon," said Kathy Dalby, spokeswoman for Pacers Running Stores. "Our stores believe in giving back to our local, national, and global communities. We look forward to hosting this very worthwhile event."

The Perpetual Prosperity Pump Foundation supports the fight to end hunger in Africa by collecting donated running shoes. According to the PPPF, 500 running shoes is enough to provide new irrigation systems, training, seeds, live stock, healthcare and education to poverty stricken families.

"We are all extremely excited that The National Marathon and Pacers are supporting our efforts to help small farmers in Ghana help themselves," said Nadine Khtikian, Director of Programs for Maryland and Washington, DC. "Thank you all in advance for your athletic shoe contributions. You are helping to stomp out poverty one family at a time."

For more information on this weekend's event and the driving forces behind it, run to:

www.NationalMarathon.com

www.runpacers.com

www.pppafrica.org