Jason Lester completed 2,500-mile run in 83 days to raise awareness
for malnutrition
COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2014--
Mannatech®,
Incorporated (NASDAQ: MTEX), the pioneer of nutritional
glycobiology, leading innovator of naturally-sourced
supplements based on Real
Food Technology® solutions, and creator of the M5M (Mission
5 MillionSM) social entrepreneurial movement, announced
today that on October 28, 2014, ultra-endurance athlete Jason Lester
officially passed the finish line of the M5M China Run. Lester became
the first person in history to complete a solo run of 2,500 miles across
the Great Wall of China in 100 days or less to raise awareness of the
global epidemic of childhood malnutrition.
The run officially began on August 8, 2014 in Jiayuguan, in the Gansu
province of China. Around midday on day 83 of the run, Lester crossed
the finish line at the Shanhaiguan District Old Dragons Head entrance in
Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, officially completing the 2,500-mile
journey. Lester’s goal was to finish the run within 100 days, requiring
an average daily trek equivalent to almost a full marathon per day.
After increasing his daily runs to double marathons at times, he was
able to accomplish this feat with 17 days to spare.
Mannatech has partnered with Lester as the title sponsor of the M5M
China Run as a part of their ongoing Mission 5 Million, or M5M,
movement. The goal of M5M is to connect five million children in need of
proper nutrition with five million consumers of Mannatech products. As a
social entrepreneurial company, Mannatech donates servings of its
proprietary PhytoBlend™
powder to at-risk children all over the world every time a consumer
purchases product for themselves on automatic order. According to recent
reports by the World Health Organization, approximately five million
children under the age of 5 die every year due to causes linked to
malnutrition. As the title sponsor, Mannatech is hoping to bring this
catastrophic reality to the forefront and inspire the world to take
action.
Lester has previously run 3,500 miles from San Francisco to New York in
2013 to raise awareness and support for the victims of Hurricane Sandy;
and in 2011 he biked and ran 5,000 miles across the United States for
Nike's "Journey for a Better World" campaign. Lester is an endorser of
Mannatech products and is “Powered by Ambrotose,” Mannatech’s uniquely
patented immune system support product containing Manapol® powder with
aloe vera gel extract. He credits glyconutrient technology and Ambrotose
as being his “secret weapons” in competitions and training.
“We are very proud of Jason Lester for achieving such a monumental feat
and are grateful for the impact he made on the M5M movement,” said
Mannatech President Al Bala. “His ambitious drive to be better and make
the world a better place matches Mannatech’s desire to see childhood
malnutrition come to an end through perseverance and commitment to daily
challenges such as Jason Lester’s 100-Day Challenge. Through his efforts
in bringing awareness to this cause, we are able to tackle the great
wall of malnutrition head on with hope of seeing it overcome.”
To learn more about Mannatech and the M5M China Run, visit Mannatech.com.
About Mannatech
Mannatech, Incorporated, develops high-quality health, weight and
fitness, and skin care products that are based on the solid foundation
of nutritional science and development standards. Mannatech is dedicated
to its platform of Social Entrepreneurship based on the foundation of
promoting, aiding and optimizing nutrition where it is needed most
around the world. Mannatech’s proprietary products are available through
independent sales Associates around the globe including the United
States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Denmark,
Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan,
Taiwan, Singapore, Estonia, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Czech
Republic, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Namibia and Hong Kong. For more
information, visit Mannatech.com.
Please note: This release contains “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases
or terminology such as “believe,” “intend” or other similar words or the
negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Mannatech’s
objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are
also considered forward-looking statements. Mannatech believes this
release should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission and cautions its
readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to certain
events, risks, uncertainties and other factors. Some of these factors
include, among others, Mannatech’s inability to attract and retain
Associates and Members, increases in competition, litigation, regulatory
changes and its planned growth into new international markets. Although
Mannatech believes that the expectations, statements and assumptions
reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it
cautions readers to always consider all of the risk factors and any
other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each forward-looking
statement in this release, as well as those set forth in its latest
Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other
filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its current reports on Form 8-K. All of the forward-looking
statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release.
Source: Mannatech, Incorporated
Mannatech, Incorporated
Raquel Mooring, 972-471-1532
rmooring@mannatech.com