Largely driven by grassroots efforts across the country, the inaugural launch of National Running Day on June 3 appears to have delivered a fairly strong turnout. The website dedicated to the event, www.runningday.org, listed 198 formal events planned around the day, but numerous informal events also occurred across the country. As of as of Friday afternoon, the event's Facebook page counted nearly 7,300 members.
The event represented a unified effort by running organizations across the country to create a day to promote running nationally and locally as a healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. Leading partners for the event include Atlanta Track Club, Boston Athletic Association, Chevron Houston Marathon, Chicago Area Runners Association, San Diego's The Competitor Group, Global Athletics & Marketing, Little Rock Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, Oregon Track Club, Running USA, Boulder's Tempo Sports, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and USA Track & Field.
Runners were encouraged to go for the run and then log on to the running day website and Facebook page to download an “Im a Runner/I Ran Today” button and interact with other runners. The website included information on local community events with running clubs and retailers, course-mapping tools and training tips.
Many retailers supporting a running event also saw a sales opportunity. Luke's Locker, which is based out of the Dallas, TX market gave shoppers a $10-off coupon for running on June 3. Road Runner Sports' website ran a 48-hour sale offering 10% off and free shipping for any orders over $100. Tortoise and Hare Running & Fitness in Ann Arbor, MI, held a 20% off National Running Day sale.
The first 150 runners/walkers at Track Shack in Orlando received refreshments and a commemorative towel after finishing a group run late in the afternoon. Snails Pace Running Shop in Pasadena, CA also served refreshments after an early evening run.
Numerous Fleet Fleet stores (Birmingham, Annapolis, Louisville, Tulsa) held runs, but the majority of events were held by local running and triathlon clubs and schools.
Among the bigger events, Olympian Deena Kastor hosted the Mighty Milers Fun Run/Walk at Icahn Stadium for approximately 1,000 kids from Manhattan and the Bronx. The Little Rock Marathon hosted a free early-morning National Running Day Fun Run/Walk, followed by continental breakfast. The Marine Corps Marathon hosted a one-mile run on the National Mall, starting and finishing at the Lincoln Memorial. Larger group runs were also held in Atlanta, Chicago, Eugene, Houston, Indianapolis and Minneapolis.
Among vendors, New Balance commemorated the day with a 5K fun run along the Charles River for associates led by Team New Balance runners. Associates at each of the brands New England facilities received running logs, an “I Ran Today” sticker, as well as nutrition and training tips. New Balance's Facebook fan page included links to share with friends, banner highlights, and an “events” listing for National Running Day to encourage runners to share the day with their friends. New Balance also offered NB-branded “I Ran Today!” buttons/flair for participants to download through its Facebook fan page.
Saucony hosted numerous editors at the indoor track on the day at Chelsea Piers in New York City to experience a biomechanical evaluation from its Saucony Lab Director; participate in running drills with Ironman Triathlon Champion and Saucony athlete Karen Smyers; and learn more about National Running Day from a rep of the New York Road Runner's Club.
Sara Hunninghake, media manager for the New York Road Runners Club, told Sports Executive Weekly that the group of core partners plans to meet in a few weeks to build on the event for 2010, but is pleased with initial results.
“I think we were all presently surprised at how much people embraced the day and made it work for them,” said Hunninghake. “This is the first one and it was largely a grassroots event so all in all we all thought the day was a huge success.”
