Graglia Aims to Set World Record in the TransPerfect Atacama Desert Crossing Project
NEW YORK, NY, September 7, 2018 – TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business, and ultramarathon champion Michele Graglia, are announcing a partnership for the first of four record-breaking runs that Graglia intends to complete. As lead sponsor of the TransPerfect Atacama Desert Crossing Project, TransPerfect and its employees will help promote the run in advance as well as offer on-site support with personnel and equipment.
Chile’s Atacama Desert stretches 700 miles (1,200 km) from north to south and is the driest region on earth, with average rainfall of about 0.6 inches (15 mm) annually. Graglia will start in San Pedro de Atacama on Saturday, September 15, and he will run 50 to 60 miles a day in order to reach his goal of completing the run in a world-record time of less than two weeks.
Graglia is one of the world’s most successful ultramarathoners, regularly competing at the world’s highest level for races of more than 26.2 miles. He recently won the Badwater® 135—considered “The World’s Toughest Foot Race”—one of the most prestigious titles on the ultramarathon circuit. Graglia has won multiple other ultramarathons and broken more than seven course records since 2012.
TransPerfect’s sponsorship will include sending a team of employees to Chile to accompany Graglia’s support team across the desert while also taking video and photographs to document this historic run.
TransPerfect President and CEO Phil Shawe noted, “With over 100 straight quarters of profitable growth, TransPerfect has a long history of overcoming adversity and breaking records. With that as a backdrop, we are excited to sponsor Michele in what is destined to be a record-breaking crossing of one the most challenging environments on earth, the Atacama. In the past few weeks, five TransPerfect executives have had the opportunity to spend quality time with Michele, and we can attest that his athletic prowess is surpassed only by his strength of character, his generosity, and his genuine desire to help others.”
Graglia remarked, “I am very grateful for the support from TransPerfect as I prepare for this next adventure, which I consider the greatest challenge I’ve ever undertaken. I look forward to partnering with this terrific company for a successful cross of the Atacama.”
More details on Graglia and the TransPerfect Atacama Desert Crossing Project can be found at www.transperfect.com/atacama.
About Michele Graglia
A native Italian and former international model who lived in Miami, New York City, and Milan as part of his modeling career, in 2011 Michele discovered his true passion resided far away from the cameras and jet-set lifestyle. He then started running ultramarathons and in January 2012 he won a 50-mile race through the Everglades in South Florida, and since then, has won virtually every race he has entered.
Specializing in trail and extreme races through some of the most demanding terrain on Earth, Michele has run over 25 ultras to date, including several 100 miles or longer. He now resides in Los Angeles, California where he balances his life between ultra running, yoga teaching, guiding hikes, endurance coaching, and nutritional planning.
About TransPerfect
TransPerfect is the world’s leading provider of language services and technology solutions for global business. From offices in over 90 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 170+ languages to clients worldwide. More than 4,000 global organizations employ TransPerfect’s GlobalLink® Technology Suite to simplify management of multilingual content. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.transperfect.com.