Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, which has been providing humanitarian service for 10 years, provides medical supplies and equipment to organizations in developing nations. Since 2002, it has saved 6 million pounds of medical supplies and equipment from landfills by working in concert with 50 hospitals and 18 clinics throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, including St. John's Hospital and Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Mission Outreach has sent these life-saving supplies and equipment to over 200 medical missions in 73 countries. In November it shipped its 300th container. Proceeds from the half marathon will be used to help underwrite the cost of shipping medical supplies around the world.

"Throughout our 10-year history, Mission Outreach has consistently worked to positively impact the health and wellness of people all around the world by partnering with local hospitals and mission partners in places like Haiti, Kenya and the Ukraine," said Georgia Winson, the executive director for Mission Outreach. "Partnering with the International Abraham Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon is a natural link, and we are thrilled to be named as their official charity as we celebrate 10 years of ministry."

The 49th annual 13.1 mile race will take place on Saturday, April 6. The route of the half marathon winds through Springfield, past some of the nation's most significant Lincoln historic sites, such as Lincoln's home, his law office, the Old State Capitol where he delivered his "House Divided" speech and his final resting place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

"We are excited to partner with Mission Outreach and support such a great cause. As our half marathon continues to grow and attract runners from not only across the U.S. but also from overseas, this partnership allows race participants to make a positive difference in lives of others from around the world," said Brian Reardon, race director.

"Training for a half marathon is a great investment in one's personal health," said Reardon. "Training for and running the International Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon is now also a great investment in global health."

The Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's Hospital will host the race for the final time in 2013 and registration will be capped at 1,865 participants. In 2014 the Hilton Hotel in downtown Springfield will serve as race headquarters and the site of the race Expo.

Both the half marathon and Mission Outreach have grown significantly in recent years. During the past decade Mission Outreach moved from a garage on the property of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis to a 23,000 square foot warehouse built in 2006, and a 17,000 square foot warehouse in Bedford Park, which opened in 2009. The half marathon has grown from about 600 participants in 2006 to nearly 1,600 last year.

For more information on Mission Outreach, visit www.mission-outreach.org or www.facebook.com/hsmissionoutreach. For more on the International Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon go to www.runabe.com.