Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month Partners to Build Awareness, Chances to be Active

May is the perfect time to get ready for summer, and the perfect time to get outside and go for a run. Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month has selected Action for Healthy Kids as the charity partner and beneficiary of this special month-long program to shine a spotlight on the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle through daily physical activity.

“Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month is proud to support Action for Healthy Kids as part of our committed efforts to helping the youth of America become fit and active,” said Lauren Hobart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods. “Through this partnership, we hope to inspire the country to get out and go for a run in an effort to raise further awareness for childhood obesity.”

Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month has made a gracious charitable donation of $27,500 to help Action for Healthy Kids fight childhood obesity. The donation has been made in conjunction with “Regis & Kelly’s Run Across America with Dean Karnazes,” the popular morning talk show’s coast-to-coast challenge designed to inspire Americans to get up, get active and get healthy.  Action for Healthy Kids also is the beneficiary of the Run Across America, and Dean Karnazes is also an ambassador for National Runners’ Month.

There are a number of ways you and your family can get involved and get active:

1. Get out and walk or run in a Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month events:
Brentwood 10K, May 29, Lost Angeles, CA
Stillwater Marathon, May 29, Minneapolis, MN
Dick’s Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER, May 30, Boulder, CO
Ridge Run 10K, May 30, Chicago, IL
American Heroes Race, May 30, Arlington, TX
Starlight Run,  June 4, Portland, OR

More than 120 students at McClellan Elementary in Pittsburgh successfully completed the Kids of STEEL exercise and nutrition program Saturday as a part of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, a Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month event. Read more here.

2. You can follow and even meet campaign ambassadors and running icons Dean Karnazes, Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall. The trio is actively promoting Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month activities this month and helping rally the country to get out for a run.

Meet Kara and Ryan this Saturday, May 21 in Eugene, OR and Santa Clarita, CA. Also, read more about them here.

3. Join a Twitter-based contest  to earn points and the chance to win a $5,000 Dick’s Sporting Goods shopping spree.

“It’s so important that we get our children eating well and moving more, that’s why we’re excited to have the support of Dick’s Sporting Goods National Runners’ Month,” said Rob Bisceglie, Action for Healthy Kids executive director. “Runners are passionate about active, healthy lifestyles, just like Action for Healthy Kids, and this is a great way to highlight the importance and benefits of physical activity and to make a difference for more kids.”