Longest chain of shoes-National Geographic Kids magazine sets world record

  WASHINGTON D.C., USA -- National Geographic Kids magazine set a World Record Wednesday for the longest chain of shoes: more than 10,500 sneakers were tied together by their laces, heel to toe, measuring a total length of 1.65 miles.

Photo: Eight-year-old Peter Wajda from Mount Laurel, New Jersey stands in front of some of the 10,512 shoes on display July 2, 2008 in the courtyard at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC.Peter organized a shoe drive recruiting family, schoolmates and his pediatrician and collected 509 shoes. KAREN BLEIER / AFP/GETTY IMAGES ( enlarge photo )

 "We're delighted with the response we received from kids around the country," says National Geographic Kids magazine Editor-in-Chief Melina Bellows. "They embraced this project that benefits the environment, involved their communities and will help other children."

   The magazine spent six months collecting sneakers sent by readers, families, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and schools. Actress Cameron Diaz and members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team also donated their old sneakers to the project.

  Assembled by National Geographic Kids magazine , the chain stretched 8,700 feet or about 1.65 miles.

  The shoes are part of a larger cause to encourage recycling and to reduce the amount of trash in landfills. The sneakers will be sent to Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program , which recycles the shoes into material that can be used to build athletic surfaces: basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds.

  Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program has a drop-off location in Rehobeth Beach. Shoes can also be sent directly to Nike's Recycling Center. For more information, click here .

   Kids set world record for longest chain of shoes 

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