On Sunday, July 16, at 7:00 a.m., at Belle Haven Park, one mile south of Old Town Alexandria on George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington Cooperation Foundation (ACF) presents International Peace Half-Marathon & 8K, in collaboration with Imagine Peace Network and Friends of World Food Program.

"This will be the fastest half marathon ever run in the DC area," said event director Jay Jacob Wind. "We have six world- class runners from Ethiopia, and six more from Kenya. Already in town are 1:02 half-marathoners Tamrat Ayalew, Beruk Deberework, Fikadu Deme, Mekuria Tadesse, and Belay Teka from Addis Ababa; today, female 2:40 marathoner Meseret Gebeyehu arrives, and Friday; the Kenyans are coming."

"With this race, we want to encourage competition on the playing field of peace," said Wind. "Sport is one of the five international languages, along with Art, Math, Music, and Science. So far, besides Americans, Ethiopians, and Kenyans, we have runners from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Palestine, United Kingdom, and Venezuela signed up to run, plus a full-blooded Navajo and citizens from 26 states and DC."

The race follows the same course as ACF's overwhelmingly successful Potomac River Run Marathon, but only half as long, so finishers get to the splendid international post-race picnic sooner. The course is entirely through a shady National forest, mostly flat but with two notable hills. Wherever runners holds citizenship -- any US state or another country -- they are automatically members of their state's or country's team. Teams may be any size, top three score, cross-country style. Members of the top 5 men's and women's teams win cash prizes totaling $1,800. Age-group winners win gift certificates from Georgetown Running Company.

The day before the race, Saturday, July 15, ACF's Marathon Charity Partners hosts in international fun run at Belle Haven Park at 7:00 a.m., followed by a small picnic. Then from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., ACF and IPN host pre-race packet pick-up and a College of Running & Peace with guest speakers at Courtyard by Marriott, 2700 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. For directions, call Courtyard (703-329-2323) and specify International Peace Run as your group. At 6:00 p.m., ACF and IPN invite you to a pre-race dinner at Courtyard ($12) featuring traditional spaghetti and international pre-race cuisine, plus international song and dance.

On race day, runners can take advantage of 6:00 a.m. limousine shuttle service from Courtyard to Belle Haven. At 6:30 a.m., the non-competitive Early Bird start goes off. At 6:35 a.m. begins a parade of flags of all represented nations and their anthems as a warm-up, sponsored by Alamo Flag, followed by the American national anthem at 6:57 a.m. he competitive race goes off at 7:00 a.m.

Arlington Cooperation Foundation (ACF) Marathon Charity Partners (MCP)
Among the hundreds of running clubs in the DC area, ACF's Marathon Charity Partners steps out as unique. Its 350 participants form the only charity fundraising co-op in the world, the only charity in the world to conduct a full 26.2- mile marathon, and a club whose diversity represents the face of the world.

Chaired by long-time marathoner, coach, and philanthropist Nick Panebianco, MCP is part of Arlington Cooperative Foundation (ACF), a 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to educate the community about health, fitness, and the benefits of cooperative living. MCP implements this mission by training and educating runners for the Marine Corps Marathon and other running events in the Washington area throughout the year.

ACF's third annual Potomac River Run (PRR) on Sunday, May 7 (World Laughter Day) attracted runners from 27 states and five countries to the scenic Mt. Vernon Trail from the Belle Haven marina toward George Washington's historic estate and back. Each of the MCP member charity teams conducted a spirit station along course with music, color, and refreshments. Many of the participants attended the marathon's College of Running the day before at Courtyard by Marriott Alexandria. The 300-person marathon, although small, donated $7,250 to various charities. MCP's weekly Saturday morning training runs feature scores of runners from everywhere on earth. Together, they train for the prestigious 2006 Marine Corps Marathon on October 29. MCP's 350 guaranteed slots are split among the co-op's eight partners. The equation is simple: runners receive a guaranteed slot in the marathon and comprehensive training from MCP coaching staff; in return, runners raise funds for their charity groups. Each charity partner is a 501(c)3 charity. All donations are tax- deductible.

MCP represents a wide array of charities -- child-focused, health-oriented, ethnic, local and national. Staffing aid stations at International Peace Half Marathon are these charities:

* AIMS India strives for an India that is economically self- sufficient, socially harmonious, and politically clean.

* Asha ("Hope") for Education provides education to underprivileged children in India.

* Association for India's Development promotes sustainable, equitable, and just development in India.

* Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the National Capital Area is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children through one-to-one mentorship relationships.

* Cystic Fibrosis Foundation seeks to cure cystic fibrosis and improve the quality of life of those suffering from the disease.

* Running Strong for American Indian Youth helps American Indians meet their immediate survival needs and creates opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem, especially for tribal youth.

* Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse works to raise awareness and funds to prevent and treat child sexual abuse.

* Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is a national program offering compassionate support to family and friends of military personnel who die in service to America.

To register for the race, or to become a sponsor to assist international runners to attend, please visit www.marathoncharitypartners.org