RUN 'WILD' FOR BORN FREE!

The BUPA Great South Run is Europe’s biggest 10 mile running event. It will be staged for the 18th consecutive year in Portsmouth, with tens of thousands of people, from all walks of life and age groups, running for their favourite charities. The incredible atmosphere has made the event one of the most popular public running events in the UK and a national spectacle. This year the BUPA Great South Run will be broadcast to over 100 countries worldwide.

The Born Free team, together with celebrities, top international athletes and fun-runners, will be amongst thousands expected to complete the course and raise millions for good causes.   

Born Free CEO, Will Travers, said, “The run is a great way for people to have fun and support Born Free’s work. When I ran last year the ten miles seemed to fly by and the sense of achievement as I crossed the line in front of cheering crowds made it very special indeed. I hope that people will join us this October to help raise awareness and vital funds for Born Free’s animal welfare and conservation projects. So send in your forms and deposit today to receive your Run Wild running top and help change animals’ lives for good.”

The BUPA Great South Run was recently voted the second most popular Marathon in the United Kingdom, by readers of ‘Runners World’ magazine – the UK’s largest running magazine, providing advice and inspiration to all levels of runner.

The Born Free running team goes from strength to strength

This year there are a total of 50 places allocated to the Charity – potentially making this our biggest team ever.

As a special ‘Thank You’, all participants who register for a Born Free place will receive a FREE Animal Adoption gift valid for one year, worth 24, which can also be used as a fundraising tool to help each runner raise money for Born Free.

Closing date for entry is the 29^th August.  For Registration Forms and full details, please contact the Born Free Foundation: www.bornfree.org.uk – contact Andrina Murrell on 01403 240170

Born Free's places are subject to a 30 non-refundable deposit and 200 (inc. deposit) minimum target sponsorship.

We also encourage runners who have secured their own places in the Great South Run to join the Run Wild team too and fundraise for Born Free!!  Just contact Andrina as above for more information.

* Born Free places in the BUPA Great North Run (Sunday 5^th October), are still also available; the registration deadline is for Friday 18^th July, 2008 

To find out more information, please contact

Born Free’s Press Office:

Shirley Galligan, PR Director T 0207 792 9668 M 07773848352

Angelique Davies, PR Officer T 01403 240170 M 07747 441447

Notes to editors:

About Born Free

The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare.  Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase-out zoos.  We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.

Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and much more in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict.  Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results.  Every year Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk

About The Great South Run

The BUPA Great South Run takes place in Portsmouth and is Britain's leading 10-mile running event. A fast, flat route in Southsea, Portsmouth is the ideal course to record a personal best and is regarded as one of the most popular road runs in the United Kingdom.

The run is over a 10-mile course which will be fully measured and certified pre-event. The race starts and finishes on the seafront in Southsea. The BUPA Great South Run also features 'Champion Chip timing', which ensures every runner will receive a completely accurate running time. The race will start from a gantry which will be located across the highway on Clarence Esplanade by Blue Reef.

BUPA media partners who will be covering the event include Channel 5 TV, The News – official newspaper to the BUPA Great South Run and Ocean Radio