With run retailers looking for any way at all to get their customers up and running, Global Running Day, set for June 3 this year, is offering many of them the opportunity to organize some special events — and to raise some money for local charities at the same time. Here are just a few of them we have come across recently.
Road Runner Partnering With Stride
Road Runner Sports is partnering with Stride, the boutique fitness franchise that offers treadmill-based cardio and strength workouts, to host their own national virtual race on Global Running Day.
For their $35 entry fee, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Feeding America, participants will receive a downloadable bib number, branded T-shirt, finish line photo and participation medal along with a training plan from Stride and access to the brand’s “Go the Distance While You Keep Your Distance” Facebook Page, which offers daily running, strength training, and recovery workouts.
“I’ve been in the running business a long time and I’ve seen the industry change dramatically with the times,” says Mike Gotfredson, CEO and founder of Road Runner Sports. “That’s why I believe virtual races like the one we’re creating with Stride are a big part of the future of running. It’s a fun, safe way for runners and walkers all over America and the world to connect.”
On race day participants will submit a photo of their treadmill or screenshot from their tracking device that shows their distance and pace, as well as a photo of themselves at the “finish line” via Stride’s custom race day landing page. Stride will then livestream these posts on the landing page and share all of the photos through social media to commemorate everyone’s success.
“With so many big races canceled across the country due to coronavirus, we are excited to partner with Road Runner Sports to give runners a safe event to train for and participate in,” said Jeff Stokes, president of Stride. “This virtual race is truly for everybody. You can walk, jog or run the distance inside or outside, however you are most comfortable, and celebrate with thousands of other runners across the nation when you finish.”
Dick Pond Combining A Run, A Pint and a BBQ
Dick Pond Park Ridge is inviting local runners to participate in its virtual Global Running Day to benefit Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Participants can purchase a commemorative pint glass for $10 ($13 if they want it shipped) to keep and 100 percent of the proceeds from the glass will be donated.
Then on June 3 they can participate in the retailer’s virtual Global Running Day by printing off their bib and going for a run. At 6 p.m. that evening they can then swing by Dick Pond Park Ridge to pick up a "to-go" hot dog or hamburger to enjoy later (with social distancing guidelines in mind when attending, of course).
Participants are also urged to take pictures of their run and post them to social media using #globalrunningday and #dpparkridge.
JackRabbit Running a ‘Global Mile’
Writing on its Instagram page, JackRabbit is inviting the entire global running community to virtually come together on Global Running Day. The retailer is asking runners to run/walk/hike/skip one mile on GRD.
The Global Mile will act as a symbol to all participants that “although we can’t race together right now, we are still always running together. We are always there to support each other.”
As a lead up to the June 3 event JackRabbit is offering weekly mini-challenges to help its community train for the big day.
Fleet Feet Hosting National Virtual Running Event
Fleet Feet’s fourth annual Global Running Day event, The Big Run, is going virtual and has been renamed My Big Run. The June 3 Global Running Day initiative will take place in partnership with Brooks and provide runners with a dedicated virtual community event that celebrates running with fun download-and-print race kits, awards prizes in inventive categories, and helps raise money for Girls on the Run®.
For $10, participants choose one of five race distances – one mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon – to complete. Participants will receive a virtual race kit that includes a digital medal, print-your-own bib and other photo props, a $15 voucher to use at their local Fleet Feet store, and access to curated Fleet Feet content and tips. Runners can upload results on June 3 by 11:59 p.m. PST via text message, email or the RunSignUp race registration platform.
“We know a lot of new runners have taken to the sidewalks and greenways in an effort to stay healthy during the past two months, and it’s been a huge bright spot for us to see this energy and excitement within our communities,” says Joey Pointer, CEO and president of Fleet Feet. “Whether you’ve previously run 50 marathons or are aiming to run your first mile, Fleet Feet’s My Big Run gives everyone the chance to cross their own personal finish line.”
In addition to submitting their race results, Fleet Feet encourages runners to share images from their run on Instagram for the chance to win a variety of prizes from top running brands such as Brooks, Addaday, Amphipod, Balega, Feetures, Garmin, Gu Energy, Nathan, Nuun, Ooofos and Superfeet.
My Big Run participants can select to donate to Girls on the Run during the registration process. To date, Fleet Feet has raised over $15,000 through My Big Run sign-ups to support Girls on the Run, with an ultimate goal of $20,000.
For more: runsignup.com/mybigrun
