The purpose of this ultramarathon is to raise funds for the fair trade olive farmers in this region. Money raised will go directly to two programs that support olive farmers and their families; one is a college scholarship fund for the children of the farmers and the other is a program that supplies olive trees for the growers.
Route and Schedule:
• Total # of days of run: 5
• Start Date: February 4th, 2012
• Total distance: 207 km/ 129 miles
• Runner Commitment: Dedicated to running daily and capable of running at least 10 k of the whole distance each day.
• Fundraising Commitment: $3500 (Cost of trip (Airfare and In-Country Costs))
plus $1500 (Donations to Palestine). Total Funds need to be raised – $5000.
However, we expect runners to work to raise beyond that amount if possible with donations going directly to projects in Palestine
• # of Palestinian towns along route: 40
• Major cities along route: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin
• Starting in Hebron and ending in Jenin
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This winter, On the Ground will embark on a 125-mile running expedition across the West Bank. Our Run Across Palestine will raise funds and awareness for the sustainable development of a viable and just future for the people of that region. Through our integration with communities along the route, the run will be both educational for runners and an act of community. Our media team will educate those back in the United States and beyond about our adventure.
Itinerary
February 2 Arrival
February 3 Orientation
February 4-8 Running Across Palestine
February 9 Departure
The Route
We’ll start in the Southern Hebron Hills, in the gateway community to the pastoral grazing lands dedicated to sheep farming in the community of At Tawani. A small Palestinian village known internationally for its non-violent struggle to retain lands against illegal and aggressive takeovers by Israeli settlers, At Tawani has recently acquired electricity, thanks to pressure created by a visit from Former British Prime Minister and head of the Quartet, Tony Blair, in 2009.
Each day will bring challenging hills and dramatic scenery. In the evenings, we’ll be greeted by celebrations of solidarity with our hosts. Accommodations will be in the homes of our receiving communities, with the exception of East Jerusalem, where we’ll stay in a hostel just outside the gates of the old city.
Highlights
From South Hebron Hills to Bethlehem and then onto Jerusalem, we’ll experience long vistas and some demanding inclines as we pass through small farming communities. Once onto Jerusalem, we will pass the City of David, the Dome of the Rock, the burial place of Mary, the Mount of Olives, and the Old City. From there we’ll make our way into the olive growing region, where we’ll stay with growers and experience the warmth and wonderful foods of olive country.
Palestinian Partner Organizations
The Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA) is the largest fair trade producers’ union in Palestine, with over 1700 Palestinian farmers joined in fair trade collectives and cooperatives across the country. Collectively, these farmers produce traditional delicacies and sell them to international markets not available to an individual farmer. For these farmers, fair trade means social and economic empowerment and a dignified living. PFTA revitalizes farming traditions and a culture of sustainability by linking the traditionally organic farming methods of Palestine to modern organic/ecological movements and markets.
Canaan Fair Trade networks small-scale producers joined in village-based cooperatives so that they can benefit from sustainable, long-term market opportunities, selling olive oil and other delicacies produced by over 1,700 small farmers represented by the PFTA. Canaan Fair Trade supports conversion to certified organic farming practices.
Canaan Fair Trade USA is the sister company of Canaan Fair Trade (CFT), the Palestine based marketing and export member of the Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA). The PFTA includes 43 farmer cooperatives joining 1700 small landowner farmers in the northern West Bank and 6 women cooperatives. Fair trade pays the farmers a living wage, reinvests in the community, supports sustainable and traditional farming and healthy working conditions, and encourages cooperative relationships. All Canaan products are certified fair trade by IMO of Switzerland and many also by FLO/Transfair. A number of products are certified organic and carry the USDA label.
To learn about the producers of the Palestinian Fair Trade Association, many of whom you will meet on the run, visit http://canaanfairtrade.com/meet-our-farmers-1.php.
We’re so excited for you to join us on this revolutionary tour! Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the trip: info@onthegroundglobal.org Check out all of our current and past projects on our website: www.onthegroundglobal.org.
If your totally sold and want to sign the “runners agreement” today- download it here!!
