NATIONAL RUNNING DAY IS JUNE 3, 2009 - Come Join Bill Rodgers, the B.A.A. and USATF-New England at MIT's Outdoor Track in Cambridge

National Running Day to Unite the Country
Through Events & Activities from Boston to San Diego

Major U.S. running organizations to host local events as part of national effort to get Americans moving

Boston, Mass. - The United States running industry embarks on an unprecedented unified effort to launch the inaugural National Running Day on Wednesday, June 3, to nationally and locally promote running as a healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. Across the country, the day will celebrate the benefits of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle aimed at combating some of today's most pressing health issues.

In the Boston metro area, the Boston Athletic Association and USA Track & Field - New England have joined forces in an effort to promote the sport in a "try it, you'll like it" setting. USA Track & Field - New England presents events for all ages and abilities throughout the year, while the B.A.A. is best known as organizer of the world-renowned Boston Marathon. A fun, low-key track meet is the perfect introduction -- or re-introduction -- to the sport for many who are curious enough to take the first step.

What: USATF - New England Mini Track Meet

* * *UPDATE* * *
Special warm-up for anyone interested (meet participants or not) - come Run a Mile with running legend Bill Rodgers at 6:00 p.m.

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology outdoor track facility

Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

When: Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Time: schedule of events begins at 6:30 p.m. with special warm-up at 6:00 p.m.

Organized by: USA Track & Field - New England (617-566-7600; office@usatfne.org)

Additional event details will be announced on Monday, June 1, but those interested in the Boston opportunity -- either for themselves or their children -- can find a schedule on http://www.usatfne.org/track/entry/2009-mini-meet-entry.pdf and http://www.usatfne.org/track/index.html

Through a grassroots marketing, the foremost road racing and track and field organizations from major U.S. cities -- including Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Little Rock, Denver, Eugene, and San Diego -- in addition to national running organizations USA Track & Field and Running USA, are encouraging Americans of all ages and fitness levels to get out and run by hosting a variety of National Running Day activities, including professional athlete appearances, free running events, group runs, and clinics.

This unified effort is aimed at encouraging people to lace up their shoes and invite a friend to join them in experiencing the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of running.

"The B.A.A. is proud to be a partner in this national campaign to celebrate the sport of running and its role in leading a healthy lifestyle," said Boston Athletic Association Executive Director Guy Morse. "As caretakers of one of the sport's most preeminent events, we have seen how running can become more than a race and bring communities together. But even if someone will never qualify for the Boston Marathon, running can play an important role in the lives of all Americans."

Runners can join in the National Running Day festivities by simply going for a run on June 3, then logging on to the national website and social media resources at runningday.org to download an "I'm a Runner/I Ran Today" Facebook button, interact with other runners, and find complete information. Resources available on the site will include information on local community events with running clubs and retailers, course-mapping tools, training tips, and other running-related information.

"This is a day to celebrate the most universal of all sports," said USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan. "By taking National Running Day into the virtual realm of social networking, we're doing even more to expand that universe. You might be running toward a goal, running with a purpose, or even just running away from your problems. Any reason is a good reason to run, especially on National Running Day."

USATF-NE is the local New England association of the USA Track & Field. As one of USATF's 57 associations, USATF - New England administers programs in the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. With over 3300 members, 120 member clubs, and 400 sanctioned events, the New England association is one of the most active and largest associations in the country.

Boston Athletic Association
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events, including the B.A.A. Half Marathon presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial Services. Additional information about the Boston Athletic Association, the 114th Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010, and the B.A.A.'s year-round schedule of running events and activities can be found online at www.baa.org.

Media Contact:
Jack Fleming (617-236-1652, x2627; mobile: 617-459-1587; fleming@baa.org).