Running With George Washington In A Manger!

Venture onto any college campus in America and you'll see that most (if not all) of the buildings are named after a person or a family who has donated large sums of money to that school. In most cities in America, there will probably be one or two streets similarly named after a person (though these people tend to be nationally recognized people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy) who holds some special importance to the local area. Washington D.C., our nation's capital, is littered with government buildings each of which is named after a famous politician or government employee who also holds that same special importance to that government agency. However, take one look at an American calendar, and you'll be hardpressed to find many national holidays named after the historically famous person for whom the holiday commemorates (save MLK Day). Christmas is not called 'Jesus Christ Day'. President's Day is not called 'George Washington Day'. And, National Running Day is not called "Mr. Petes' Day". Huh?

You see, dear readers, on June 3rd many a-year ago when the internet could only have referred to the netting system used by tightrope walkers and T,H,E K,I,D was not even an embryo, I ran my very first race...down some fallopian tubes and into the world! Over the years, as I crossed more and more finish lines in cities around the United States, my status as a nation's hero began to rise at a Kenyan's pace. With fans across the country and around the world, my name, along with Runners Write, has gradually become synonymous with running. And, as of last Wednesday, it seems that I am not the only who thinks so. In a movement spearheaded by the United States running industry, the day of my birth, beginning this June, will forever be known as National Running Day!! While I have been unable to confirm whether the date chosen was a conscious effort to memorialize my achievements in running, I can't help but think that it was.

Anyways, according to the press release, the goal of National Running Day is "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". Many of the road racing and track and field organizations from across the country have signed-up to provide free running events, groups runs and a variety of clinics and speeches by some of the best professional runners our country has to offer. As if that's not enough, any person who participates in one form or running on National Running Day can then log 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".

In so many of my past posts, I have tried to demonstrate time and time again the many benefits of running. I have tried to show that the world of running is place where those who join rarely look back. Whether or not my efforts have been successful can't and won't be known for many races to come but one thing is for sure: this year, because of the efforts of those in the running industry, my birthday wish of a world filled with many a-runner will finally come true!!!