Global Running Day is June 1
As runners, we get caught up in our own world of staying in shape, logging miles and hopefully setting a PR at our next race. Maybe because of that, we have missed the organized effort for Global Running Day.
According to a news release, Global Running Day is the evolution of National Running Day here in the United States, which was started in 2009 by leading running organizations and races throughout the nation. National Running Day has been held annually on the first Wednesday of June ever since. Global Running Day will feature the most prominent running organizations around the world coming together to share their passion for the sport and inspire others to get moving.
The centerpiece of Global Running Day is the first-ever Million Kid Run that aims to have a million kids around the world pledge to run on June 1. We wholeheartedly support the concept — especially after our recent post about coaching young runners.
“What began as a grassroots initiative eight years ago has naturally grown into a global day of running, fitness, and fun with partners and participants around the world,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “New this year, the Million Kid Run is a thrilling initiative that will see a million kids worldwide experience the joys of running that will hopefully inspire them to run for life. We hope that June 1 connects runners of all ages and abilities together to celebrate a sport that truly betters lives and communities around the world.”
The concept of Global Running Day is simple: Runners of all ages and abilities share their passion for the sport and inspire others to get moving. Participating is easy. Head to the Global Running Day website, globalrunningday.org, and take the pledge to be a part of the running community on June 1. It can be a solo lap around the block, a long run with friends, or even a game of tag with kids.
Distinguished running organizations worldwide will be participating, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Atlanta Track Club, Boston Athletic Association, Competitor Group, Houston Marathon Foundation, International Association of Athletics Federations’ Athletics for a Better World program, New York Road Runners, Running USA, USA Track & Field, and more. Runners from marathons and other races in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Mumbai, New York, Prague, Tokyo, and more, will play active roles in Global Running Day. Many of the top professional runners from around the world will also be a part of the day, and help share their passion for the sport with the global running community.
The first-ever Million Kid Run on Global Running Day aims to get young people around the world moving. It is about making fitness fun, and inspiring kids to embrace running as a way to get healthy and fit.
“I think it’s very important for kids to get active in all sports, especially running,” said Matthew Centrowitz, an Olympian and the reigning world indoor 1500-meter champion, in the Global Running Day news release. “Starting to be active at a young age is extremely important for a future, healthy lifestyle, especially the friendships you make through running. I’m looking forward to seeing more than 1 million kids around the globe be active on Global Running Day on June 1.”
We encourage all Central Pennsylvania runners to sign the pledge and get in a few miles for Global Running Day next week. And encourage your kids to run, too, so they are instilled with the habit of healthy living and fitness that will last throughout their lifetime.