Coleman Parent Company Chairman runs for Wounded Veterans in World's Toughest Footrace

With two weeks remaining before Death Valley hosts the Badwater Ultramarathon on July 23, Martin E. Franklin’s fundraising effort to support returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan is hitting its stride. Franklin, 42, Board Chairman of Jarden Corporation, parent of The Coleman Company, Inc., the 2007 Badwater official cooler sponsor, has received pledges of more than $300,000. For the pledges to be paid, he must finish all 135 miles of what is called the toughest footrace on the planet.

Franklin approached all CEOs listed in the Fortune 1000 to help him in his campaign to provide funding to the Wounded Warrior Project, a national non-profit organization based in Jacksonville, Fla., dedicated to assisting the newest generation of injured service men and women returning from active duty.

Why is he doing it?

“Because, in a small way, this grueling race symbolizes the challenges our military vets face when they return from active duty, carrying the scars of war. I’m dedicating my race to those men and women, who’ve stood on that wall and walked that dangerous post, working for peace in our world. We owe them our total support, so they can fully recover from their physical and psychological ordeal and re-enter the workforce.” says Franklin.

Assisting Franklin in his run will be a six-person support team, including at least one military veteran.

In addition to the funds raised, Franklin hopes his campaign will draw attention to the ongoing needs of returning vets. “Regardless of their political leanings, all Americans appreciate the dedication of our military. Now we all must put that appreciation into action.

“Being in war is a life-changing experience, requiring ongoing support for those returning to real life. Jarden is proud of its Operation Careers for Veterans program, designed to identify, consider and hire qualified veterans throughout our organization. In its first year, the program has been successful in doing just that. I’m encouraging my fellow CEOs, if they haven’t already done so, to do the same. The business community can do more. That’s the message I’m sending with this effort,” Franklin said.

Those wishing to donate to Franklin’s Badwater campaign can make a pledge by visiting the Jarden Corporation Web site, www.jarden.com, where a video of Franklin’s appeal can be viewed. The video can also be accessed on-line at: (http://www.youtube.com/v/O9n3QTnHVVY)

The Badwater Ultramarathon is a 135-mile footrace, starting from Badwater, Death Valley, the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level, and finishing at the Whitney Portal at 8,360 feet above sea level. The race must be completed within 60 hours for the competitor to be an official Badwater finisher. Most competitors complete the course in 24 to 48 hours. The race record is held by Scott Jurek of Seattle, Wash., with a time of 24:36:47, set in 2005. The woman’s course record of 27:56:47 was set by Pam Reed of Tuscon, Ariz.