Saucony invites runners everywhere to celebrate National Running Day with the online release of Finding Strong, an independent film documentary that captures the transformative power of running. Produced by Saucony, in collaboration with Runner’s World, Finding Strong takes viewers on a global journey to spotlight how the simple act of running can create and empower communities.

The online release of the film will be tomorrow, National Running Day, June 4th at 4:00 pm at Finding Strong. Until that time, the film’s trailer can be viewed at the same location.
 
Spanning multiple continents, Finding Strong is directed by California-based photographer, filmmaker and adventurer Brian Vernor. The 22-minute documentary explores fascinating runners around the world, including elite National Guardsmen in Japan, a youth running community in Brazil, goat-herding girls in Djibouti and physically challenged athletes in New York City. In conjunction with the release, Vernor will share written, behind-the-scenes stories of the project on the Saucony blog, also beginning on June 4th.

“Finding Strong brings our brand mission−to empower the human spirit through running−clearly to life in a very compelling way,” said Mary O’Brien, vice president of marketing for Saucony. “On his journey to capture the human spirit, director Brian Vernor created a powerful tool, helping us to better understand how a common bond, in this case running, can bring about a shared kinship, transforming individuals, communities and even the world.
 
“There couldn’t be a more appropriate time to celebrate the global release of this film and the incredible power of the running community than on National Running Day. On June 4th, we encourage runners to celebrate both our sport and the power of the human spirit by viewing Finding Strong and of course, going out for a run. It’s a privilege to have collaborated with both Runner’s World and Brian to create this film and an honor to now share it with runners everywhere,” said O’Brien.
 
“Runner’s World had never co-produced a film or worked with an advertising partner in quite this way before, so this was uncharted territory for us,” said Runner's World general manager and editor-in-chief David Willey. “The backbone of our mission is to inspire runners and to connect running to big themes and ideas. We know that running can change people's lives and believe that it can even drive social change around the world. Finding Strong, a beautiful film that tells emotionally powerful stories, proves that running can do just that. I'm so proud that Runner's World is a partner on this project with Saucony.”
 
Viewers of the online screening of Finding Strong will also be able to donate to two of the running organizations featured in the documentary: Achilles International, a non-profit organization that provides a community of support to athletes with disabilities, and Girls Run 2, a running club for girls located in the Horn of Africa.
Finding Strong has appeared at live screenings over the past few months, including aHi Tom: red carpet premier at the 2013 New York City Marathon; The Running Event 2013 in Austin; and the 2014 Collective at the Sundance Film Festival.