Just Do It: 1 Race, 1 Million Runners

Leave it to the Swoosh to turn race management, generally the exclusive province of locals, on its head.

On Aug. 31, in cities around the world that include Rome, London, Singapore, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, New York, Los Angeles and 19 others -- plus countless other sites hosting hundreds of thousands of entrants -- Nike hopes to coordinate 1 million runners in what it bills as the world's first global 10K.

First-magnitude celebrities such as Lance Armstrong and musical acts that include Kanye West will lend star power to the Nike+ Human Race. Three global charities will help blunt the edge of what is at its heart a promotion of the Nike+ training system, a computer-integrated shoe and wristband that tracks distance, pace and calories burned. Once a run is complete, the information can be downloaded, graphed and, in the case of the Human Race, tabulated and shared worldwide.

"This has been a huge focus, company-wide," said Jacie Prieto, Nike media relations manager. "We're a running company, so for us to put on the largest race in the world shouldn't be a surprise to anybody."

The U.S. races take place in the early evening and will be followed by musical acts, much like Nike's Run Hit Wonder series that began in 2003. Unlike that series, Nike has no plans to continue the Human Race beyond this year.

The company has hired top race management companies in each of the host cities, but this is clearly Nike's show, fueled by Nike money.

"There's lots of creativity, plenty of adaptations, and it's an exciting way to do business," said John Conley, whose Conley Sports is managing the Austin Human Race. "But it's not our race -- I'm much more risk-averse than Nike. We're just along for the ride."

The New York Road Runners Club is Nike's partner for the race on Randall's Island just outside Manhattan, the closest the race comes to Washington. Five thousand runners are expected there.

Chicago race official Sue Hopkinton said she expects 15,000 runners, an extraordinary number for a first-time race, for that city's event, which will start at Soldier Field.

· NOT SO FAST: News last week that a pill used on mice seemed to mimic the effects of exercise was accompanied by a statement that a test for improper use of the drug could be available by the Olympics, which begin Friday.

-- Jim Hage

hagej@washpost.com