New York, May 2, 2016—Pledging for Global Running Day and the first-ever Million Kid Run on June 1 is now open on globalrunningday.org. Runners of all ages and abilities can pledge to run on June 1, and add their name to the list of runners from all over the world who are coming together to celebrate the sport. Groups and individuals, kids and adults, able-bodied runners and athletes with disabilities can all pledge to be a part of Global Running Day.

The first-ever Million Kid Run is the centerpiece of Global Running Day, and aims to get young people moving. The goal is to have a million kids around the world pledge to run on June 1. The Million Kid Run is about making fitness fun, and inspiring kids to embrace running as a way to get healthy and fit. After adults make their pledge, they can get their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and students to choose their running activities and be a part of this global initiative to get active. From a school administrator pledging students, to a youth coach pledging their running team, to a parent pledging their child, kids around the world will come together to celebrate the power and benefits of running and fitness.

“I was a kid in an elementary school gym class when a teacher introduced me to running,” said two-time Olympian Jenny Simpson. “From childhood, running has been a way for me to pursue health, leadership, and personal achievement. I'm so grateful to have the chance to introduce more children to a life of movement and health, and to remind everyone that there's a global community of people to play, move, and run with!”

“We welcome the support of the world’s professional athletes as we look towards getting a million kids running on Global Running Day,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and the race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “These top runners are role models and an inspiration for today’s youth, and we are especially looking forward to having a group of local pros join thousands of kids from our youth running programs at our Mighty Milers Fun Run on June 1. By the end of the 2015-16 school year, and coinciding with Global Running Day, our NYRR Mighty Milers will have run more than 5 million miles—a true milestone to celebrate on June 1.”

Running organizations and groups, individuals, school administrators, coaches, and parents can visit globalrunningday.org to pledge, explore group runs and other events happening around the world, and find information on running activities for all abilities for adults and youth. They can also connect with Global Running Day socially via #GlobalRunningDay, and customize a Global Running Day bib and finisher certificate.

About Global Running Day

Global Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day for people around the world to celebrate the joys of running. It is a worldwide celebration of the sport, and a way for runners of all ages and abilities to share their passion for running and inspire others to get moving. The Million Kid Run on Global Running Day aims to get young people moving. The goal is to have a million kids around the world pledge to run on June 1, 2016. The Million Kid Run is about making fitness fun, and inspiring kids to embrace running as a way to get healthy and fit. Global Running Day is a collaborative effort of the most prominent running organizations around the world, with many of the top professional runners helping to share their passion for the sport with the global running community.

Contact:

Lauren Doll: 212-423-2271 or Globalrunningday@nyrr.org