Nike launches 'world's biggest running event'

LONDON - Nike is launching what it bills ‘the world's biggest one day running event', the Nike+ Human Race.

The 10k race will take place across 25 cities, including London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Melbourne and Shanghai. Nike will urge runners to ‘Save a Spot' in their city of choice by visiting Nikeplus.com from 2 June. Runners unable to attend the official Nike branded events can participate in their hometown by using Nike+ iPod to measure runs on the day.

According to Nike, the event is being devised to inspire and connect more than a million runners around the world. Each course will pass by famous landmarks and runners completing the races will be met by a headline music act playing at the finish line.

Nike is planning a host of pre-race activities featuring its sponsored athletes, such as seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in Austin. The London leg will feature Paula Radcliffe.

The new event, which takes place on 31 August, follows up on the sports brand's highly successful Run London brand and Nike Supersonic event which launched last year.