Asics America Corp. donated more than $1.5 million worth of shoes to Girls on the Run through its Asics Extra Mile campaign.
During the campaign, which ran October 13-November 30, Asics invited athletes of all levels to go the “Extra Mile” for a good cause. Asics is the National Footwear Partner of Girls on the Run, a physical activity-based positive youth development program serving girls in third to eighth grade.
Through the Runkeeper app, a pair of Asics shoes was pledged to be donated to Girls on the Run for all successful completions of the Runkeeper Asics Extra Mile Challenge – a four-mile run – one mile over the average Runkeeper activity distance. Asics also donated a pair for shoes for all those who participated in the Extra Mile activation in Columbus Circle in New York, and for those purchasing $100.00 worth of ASICS product at participating retail stores.
“Asics has such an amazing and authentic founding principle, and it was exciting to have the opportunity to bring that to the forefront with the Asics Extra Mile campaign,” said Roeya Vaughan, VP of marketing at Asics America Corporation. “Our partnership with Girls on the Run for this movement brought our like-minded groups together to create positivity in society through sport. The fact that the movement exceeded our expectations is an exhilarating validation that people continue to be inspired by the positive impact sport can make in all our lives.”
“For me, giving back is everything,” said Lolo Jones, three-time World Champion, hurdler and American Record Holder and three-time Olympian in both the winter and summer games. “Someone gave me my first pair of running shoes, and I understand the huge impact this can have for a young girl. Having the opportunity to work with ASICS and Girls on the Run to give back and empower today’s kids is something that really comes full circle for me.”
Providing shoes to Girls on the Run participants will give the organization’s staff the opportunity to allocate more of their resources towards program development and expansion; allowing for Girls on the Run to further their mission and positively impact the lives of more girls nationwide. The 50,000 ASICS shoes will be dispersed among various Girls on the Run councils across the country based on need and geographic location and will help ensure that all participants have a safe and rewarding program experience.
