If you ran the world what would be your top priority? Climate change? Education? Child Abuse? Disease Prevention? It's an impossible choice. And you don't run the world. So what can you do?

On February 8th 2010*, people all over the world will take charge and run the world. Literally. They will run a distance that is uniquely challenging to them and work towards a goal which is uniquely important to them and maybe even change the world in the process.

The event will work on three different levels; a personal, an altruistic and a global. You choose a distance to run that would be a challenge for you; you choose a charity to run on behalf of and to raise money for; you pledge your mileage to a country of your choice here at run-the-world.org and then on February 8th 2010, you open the door, step outside and start to run. It's as easy as that.

And on February 9th we will be able to look back and say, when we ran the world, this is what we achieved. Together. If everyone ran the world together, what could we do?

Let's challenge ourselves.

Let's run the world.

Are you in?

*Date changed from January 11th due to adverse weather conditions.

Do I have to run?

As opposed to ride a horse, drive a car, swim, walk? It is called Run the World. The definition of "run" that we are going for is "to move or go quickly by foot". For some this might mean moving faster than others, but for everyone, we all know what move quickly means to us.

What if it is raining?

Hey, we are out to change the world here and achieve something spectacular in the process. If we said that by you going for a run you would be saving the world, would a little rain stop you?

But its snowing?!

As before, we lead by example. Are you the kind of person who gets stopped by snow, rain, sleet, sun, wind? Come on! Of course don't be reckless, we are not saying take on the weather unless you are fully prepared for it. But most of us can tolerate a bit of snow, wind, etc.

How far do I have to run?

How far do you want to run?

What Charity is this in aid of?

Which charity do you want to show your support for?

Where is it taking place?

It's starting where you are standing and going to where you get to.

Who is going to be checking how far I run?

No one. This is a personal challenge and we don't believe that you will cheat yourself. What do you have to gain from that?

Can I run with anyone else?

Some may want to get their school, workplace involved. Others may want to run in groups. If you want to organise a group yourself, go for it! If you want you can volunteer and we will put you in touch with people in your area who are running, maybe you can set up a local run? Running with others is a great motivator. But you don't need to do it if you don't want to. Just run.