Ten Days • A Thousand Miles

1000 MILES TO LIGHT is an Ultra Running Event starting this Saturday, August 14, in the Australian Outback and finishing August 24 at the Byron Bay Lighthouse. This event features America’s Ultra Running Team:

DEAN KARNAZES * SAMANTHA PRUITT * SHAN RIGGS * & KATIE VISCO

This Endurance Event is an ultra footrace, relay style, between two international teams, TEAM USA and TEAM AUSTRALIA. Each team will tackle 1000 Miles in just ten days, with each runner covering 25 miles a day. That’s nearly a marathon a day for ten days straight.

1000 Miles to Light is both physical and symbolic. TEAM USA will race alongside TEAM AUSTRALIA, joining together to benefit Reach Out Australia, a mental health service providing support for individuals under 25 experiencing mental health issues. This demonstration of unity as they tackle this formidable challenge will inspire and bring hope to others. Its culmination at the Byron Bay Lighthouse – the most western point in Australia – represents our two nations emerging from the darkness created by Covid.

MEET TEAM USA:

Dean Karnazes: One of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Dean Karnazes has run 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days. A world-renowned ultramarathoner, he has traveled to all seven continents twice. Dean is the recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award and a NY Times bestselling author. His latest book is titled A Runner’s High.

www.DeanKarnazes.com

Samanta Pruitt: Samantha has dedicated 20 years inspiring and coaching others to use endurance sports, outdoor adventure and human connection as powerful tools for change in their lives. Along her own transformational journey, Sam became an Ironwoman, Ultra Endurance Runner and Adventure Athlete, finishing hundreds of races from 5 to 150 miles. As a business and community leader, Endurance Town USA Podcast Host, Marketing & Business Consultant, professional Event Director, and Life-Business Coach, Sam is HIGHLY motivated to connect humans with endurance sports, the outdoors and ultimately their own best selves.

www.samanthapruitt.com

 Shan Riggs: Shan Riggs: Shan is a 42-year-old ultramarathon runner and sponsorship marketing professional. He has completed 45 ultramarathon races — winning several. In 2020 Shan ran across the United States, averaging nearly 40 miles a day and raised over $45,000 for Foodshare, part of Feeding America.

https://www.shanrunsacrossamerica.com

Katie Visco: An accomplished female adventurer, at age 23, Katie was the youngest woman to run across America. Her mission was to inspire others to follow their passions, and she spoke with more than 200 audiences along the way to encourage people to do just that while also raising funds for Girls on the Run. No stranger to Australia, in 2019, she ran across the brutal continent with only her husband on a bicycle for support to show the importance of living your dreams and doing hard things simply because you want to. Katie and her husband produced a film Twenty-One Twelve: A Human Powered Adventure Across Australia, which debuts July 9th, 2021 on Vimeo and also across Australia and New Zealand in the RunNation Film Festival in August. Ultimately, Katie’s adventures are an invitation to be brave and take action on the things you feel most deeply called to do. Katie also has 10+ years of experience as a coach, community-builder, and entrepreneur.

www.katievisco.com

 Daily race results will be updated and can be followed here:

https://www.1000milestolight.com