Marketing Research Education Foundation Race Around the World Raises $100K+

It’s official – MREF’s inaugural Race Around the World ended on June 30 and exceeded both our fundraising and participation goals. During the 30 days of June, 41 teams of committed runners, bikers and walkers have logged 75,000+ miles, shared 300+ photos, and encouraged and supported each other all in the name of community and education.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants, MREF shared that it will gift $92,000 to  UNICEF for their work in education worldwide, providing learning opportunities for the most marginalized children in the world. According to UNICEF: A disadvantaged child who can go to school has a chance to break the cycle of poverty that can grip a family for generations. On average, just one additional year of education can increase a child’s earnings later in life by 10 percent. For that reason alone, supporting education is one of the most meaningful ways to donate to children.

Education is also crucial to empowering girls, who all too often don’t get their fair chance to learn. From 1970 to 2009, the world saw immense reductions in child mortality. An estimated 50 percent of that progress is linked to an increase in the education of girls and young women.

Steve Schlesinger, chair of the board of MREF, thanked all the sponsors and participants who came together to make the race such a success. “While we knew the MR industry could make this event a success, we are overwhelmed by the success of its reach and impact. Now we hope to make this an annual event that continues to bring our industry together for good.”

Visit unicefusa.org/mission/protect/education to learn more about this essential work, and make a donation here. And stay tuned for an announcement of the top five individuals with the most miles in each category of biking, running and walking.

We are grateful to our generous race sponsors…

Victors
Benenson Strategy Group, PureSpectrum, Schlesinger Group, MARC Research, Ipsos, Vital Findings

Champions
Quirk’s, Delvinia, Seek Co., Focus Room / Fuel, Focus Forward, Shapiro & Raj, iResearch

Medalists
MarketVision Research, Prodege, fieldwork, Ironwood Insights, L&E Research, Phoenix, Research Defender, Gongos, Fine, Zappi, QualSights, Verve, Innovate MR, Recollective, InfoTools, Big SofaTechnologies

Competitors
Rare Patient Voice, Clear Seas Research, Horowitz

NewsMR NewsCampaign involves more than 1,100 participants, 35 sponsors, and logged more than 75,000 miles