National Running Day
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Running or Walking Events Across the U.S.

June is a great month to kick off or increase your personal running program.  National Running Day was Wednesday June 3rd.  This collaborative effort between some of the great running organizations across the country was designed to encourage health and fitness through running or walking with events across the US.  Locally, the Atlanta Track Club participated and joining them across the country were organizations such as the Boston Athletic Association, and the USA Track and Field among others.  This day was created to provide a national health awareness day to encourage all of us to do something positive for our health. 

The National Running Day website, www.runningday.org notes the background on why this national awareness day was developed. The overall health of Americans nationwide is decreasing.  Our diets and lifestyles have negatively impacted our overall health as a country, putting us all at risk for serious disease such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as lowering our overall productivity and lifespan.  And, what is even worse is that this is having an even greater impact on our children with the rate of overweight kids growing which puts these kids at an extremely high chance of becoming obese adults. The organizers of National Running Day created this day to help respond to this trend and encourage the nation to come together to lead healthier lives.

Even though 39.5 million people in the US ran or jogged at least once in 2007, according to the American Sports Data 2007 Super Study of Sports Participation, there are many who do not run.  This awareness day is not about training for a marathon.  It is about getting out and getting active.  Whether it is 5 minutes or 45 – walking or running -- each step brings you closer to starting a healthier lifestyle.

There are many resources for beginning runners or anyone who just wants to get healthier.  The important thing is to start slow and build up.  And, it is OK to walk.  You don’t have to win the race to win at fitness.  Many races today offer fun ways to recognize participation rather than speed.  The Run and See Georgia Grand Prix offers points for placing in the top 20 in each age group.  Many of the races are small enough that just by showing up and participating you will win points.  Awards are given to the top point earners at the year end event.  You can track your points monthly through the Georgia Runner online magazine, to help you stay on track and meet your goals.

So, join us in June and be a part of this positive trend.  Let’s get healthier and run!