Celebrate Global Running Day on June 1

Wednesday, June 1 is Global Running Day! What does that mean? It means it’s a great day to lace up your shoes and go out and celebrate running by going for a run or getting a friend or co-worker out for a run. It’s also a good time to start planning ahead for a late-summer or early fall race by using the day to build momentum and fitness throughout the summer.

In theory, every day is a day of worthy being called global running day—or it should be! But there are some great reasons to tune in to this worldwide phenomenon aside from just going for a run. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening on Global Running Day and how some races, organizations, coaches and runners are participating in the celebration of the event.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series (which is owned by Competitor’s parent company) is having its biggest race registration sale of the year—but the price-slashing discounts are only available on June 1, starting at Midnight PT and ending at 11:59 p.m. PT. Upcoming races include tour stops in Seattle, Chicago, Dublin, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, Montreal, San Jose and Las Vegas. Discounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Global Running Day page.

“We are thrilled to support National Running Day expanding into a Global holiday this year,” says Laurie Gestal, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Marketing Director. “With more than 30 races around the world, we know running is truly an international sport that knows no borders. We hope athletes take advantage of the special series-wide sale and join us at one of our world-class events in the coming year.”

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Fleet Feet Sports

Fleet Feet Sports, the nation’s largest running specialty store group, is celebrating Global Running by hosting All4Run, a nationwide group run on June 1 at all 162 Fleet Feet Sports locations in the U.S., covering 38 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to showcasing the breadth, importance, and influence of running communities across the country, Fleet Feet Sports, which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary on June 1, is encouraging runners to declare their passion for running by participating in a run, bringing friends along to a run, signing up for a race or setting a new goal. To find a Fleet Feet store location for a group run, go to the Fleet Feet Sports store locator page.

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New York Road Runners

The New York Road Runners have organized a special youth running program for more than 2,000 New York City public school students. School kids in grades 3 through 8 will participate in the Mighty Milers Fun Run at Icahn Stadium as part of the Million Kid Run on Global Running Day. The day will include a variety of races, games, and fitness-related activities. Chirlane McCray, the First Lady of New York City, will join students in the celebration, and 2016 U.S. Olympic team hopefuls Nicole Tully (5,000-meter run), Ashley Higginson (3,000-meter steeplechase) and Kyle Merber (1,500-meter run) will be there to cheer for the youth runners and help hand out finisher medals.

The New York Road Runners are encouraging runners of all ages and abilities to register and pledge miles to the free Global Running Day Million Kid Run program. As of May 31, more than 2.3 million people from 168 countries have pledged to run on Global Running Day at globalrunningday.org.

“Global Running Day and the Million Kid Run provide a platform for us to inspire our local and global running community alike, parallel with New York Road Runners’ mission to help and inspire people through running,”says Michael Capiraso, New York Road Runners President and CEO. “Two million people and counting have pledged to run on Global Running Day, and in New York City, we’re excited to welcome runners of all ages and abilities to our free events in all five boroughs, all day long.”

Generation UCan

Generation UCan, the makers of nutritional energy drinks, has organized a free online running seminar with an amazing collection of coaches and athletes. The event kicks off at 12:00-12:45 p.m. ET with ZAP Fitness coach Pete Rea talking about “The Mental Side of Running” and then continues with 2004 Olympic runner Carrie Tollefson and Dr. Cathy Yeckel, an assistant clinical professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, talking about “Women on the Run” from 1:00-1:45 p.m. ET. After that, Dathan Ritzenhein, a three-time U.S. Olympic runner, and Amy Yoder Begley, a 2008 Olympian and head coach of the Atlanta Track Club, will discuss “How to Train Like a Champion” from 2:30-3:15 p.m. ET. The event will conclude with exercise scientist and renowned coach Greg McMillan sharing “Tips to Avoid the Nutrition Wall” from 5:00-5:45 p.m. ET. For more details on how to sign up and watch it live or get a transcript of the event emailed to you, go to the Generation UCan GRD site.

Brooks Running

In celebration of Global Running Day, Brooks is sharing eye-opening revelations about runners—from their source of inspiration to how they take advantage of post-run endorphins. According to the fourth annual Brooks Global Run Happy Report, running rejuvenates your creative juices and improves your mood. The survey results clearly reveal that the power of running is fierce and goes far beyond the time you start and stop your watch. For nearly all runners (97 percent), running makes their day better. In addition to sculpted legs and a healthy heart, the miles offer a blank canvas for new, creative ideas. Fifty-seven percent of runners reported they’re most likely to come up with their most creative ideas on the run versus in the shower (18 percent) or in the car (13 percent). But not all run-induced ideas are life altering. In fact, on-the-run thoughts range from accomplishing the run (31 percent) to sex (8 percent).

At the Brooks Running Global Running Day site, you can print out virtual race bibs, find running events and post a pic of your Global Running Day pursuits.

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Westin Hotels & Resorts

Participating Westin hotels across the U.S. will host 5K runs during happy hour (4-7 p.m. local time), bringing together guests, associates and local businesses to network while working out. Led by National RunWestin concierge Chris Heuisler, Westin Hotels & Resorts will kick off the program today with a combination of media moguls and industry influencers participating in a 5k run during Happy Hour at The Westin Times Square, which just completed a comprehensive renovation. Many Westin hotels throughout North America will join the celebration as well, enlisting guests, associates and interesting companies – ranging from fashion and fitness, to design and tech – to network-out over a local 5k run. Further showcasing the social trend of sweat-working, participating hotels will end each run with a complimentary cocktail as part of the brand’s new Crafted at Westin program to celebrate a successful run.

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, which typically attracts nearly 60 participants in their weekly run, will host a similar Happy Hour run this evening.  Home to “Silicon Beach,” The Westin LAX Airport will host tech titans for a post-work net-work out; The Westin Bellevue will host a run that is open to the public in partnership with New Balance; and a cluster of culinary creatives will run together from The Westin Denver Downtown. Later this week, globally-celebrated athletes Meb Keflezighi and John Nunn will lead a run and walk from The Westin San Diego Gaslamp, followed by a networking panel. Additional Westin hotels will participate throughout North America, in markets including: Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Portland, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Cleveland, Washington D.C., Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, among others.

Big Sur Marathon

In honor of Global Running Day, June 1, the Big Sur International Marathon organization is encouraging all former participants and volunteers from any of its annual events to proudly wear a race or Big Sur event volunteer shirt. On the Monterey Peninsula, the Wednesday Night Laundry Runners local running group will celebrate at its weekly group run/walk on June 1 beginning at 5:30 p.m. from Mission Linen at Congress Avenue and Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove.  In Salinas, the training group for the Salinas Valley Half Marathon will log miles at its Wednesday evening track workout at Hartnell College. (The Big Sur International Marathon is also participating in the Million Kid Run Program.)

Twin Cities Marathon

Twin Cities In Motion, the organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and a host of running events throughout the year, will again lead Global Running Day activities in the Twin Cities area. Twin Cities In Motion asks runners to visit tcmevents.org/community/global_running_day for all event information and tools including a finisher certificate and a link to pledge miles online at globalrunningday.org. TCM also encourages runners to tweet photos to @tcmarathon using the hashtag #GlobalRunningDay and consider registering for one of its upcoming events. Running Room, Twin Cities In Motion’s local partner for Global Running Day and the official Medtronic TC 10 Mile training program, is hosting free group runs at their Uptown Minneapolis (1433 West Lake Street) and St. Paul (1068 Grand Avenue) stores at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, where runners can enjoy light refreshments and prize giveaways, courtesy of Twin Cities In Motion and Running Room.