Check the following World Run Day website areas for information:
All information contained on this web site may be
published for information purposes lending support to this event. Please notify
us if you plan to help us broadcast or distribute this message. We'd like to
assist you with as much information as possible. Please review the frequently asked
questions below. If you have
any questions about this website:
Contact the
World
Run Day Webmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is World Run Day?
World Run Day is a global running event that originated in the United States of America.
The annual event asks runners worldwide to run and donate to "any charity
on the face of the earth" on one day each year. It's
patterned after Earth Day by creatively combining running & charity
in a mega-event format that all runners/walkers can enjoy - anywhere!
For their efforts, all registrants are awarded a prized t-shirt. The same design is distributed worldwide. The World Run Day message is
translated in multiple languages using
the Internet as a major communication vehicle. Newspapers and magazines
have also been extremely effective in distributing the message.
All runner donations are sent by them directly to a favorite charity. Results
for running and charity are recorded by event organizers, or runners
themselves using the posting
form. Results are made available in time for Thanksgiving Day (USA)
each year. The collective effort attempts to show the power of
runners worldwide.
In 2000 years a universal day for charity has not been recognized
(believe it or not).
Certain holidays are religion-based, or country-based (Thanksgiving Day in
Canada is celebrated in October, for instance). A day to celebrate
charitable giving world-wide has been promoted by World Run Day since 1999.
The event received significant
press attention last year in both
print media and on many internet websites. Some TV exposure was also
experienced throughout the USA. Much work involves
"testing the waters" to make the vision a reality. Coverage
as far away as the Philippines, and in multiple languages has been enjoyed. We've had
great assistance from running clubs throughout the United States, and seeds
are now being cast around the world to make the event more promising. A
template of charity information, run locations, registration sites,
inspirational music, and pictures of the event t-shirt all combine to create
a special site. Charity and running information continues to be collected year after year.
The site continues to grow.
World Run Day Leadership Includes:
International event coordinator, interested running websites, runners,
charitable organizations, sponsors, the media, a multitude of public
relations professionals, and contemporary musicians who's music has
inspired the day.
World Run Day draws on the knowledge of numerous runners, charitable
organizations, media suggestions, and news sources to help tailor the event. We are currently looking for spokespeople from
various sectors of the running and charity communities in different sectors of
the world.
To arrange for an interview with a World Run Day representative or to receive general media information about
World Run Day - The Global Fitness and Charity Challenge, please contact Bill
McDermott at 917 626-9623 or email runday2003@yahoo.com The
best
opportunities are primarily between 6:30PM - 11:30PM EDT. ---- (He has a
full-time job in New York City... Updated 9/22/03 he's
recently been laid off)
Where can I find information on promoting World Run Day?
The World Run Day website contains news and downloadable posters for media use and also for running clubs and runners to post at their favorite locations. The website is a link to important news and information
resources providing the most recent information. Official
information regarding how the event originated can be found on:
The Intent
How
can I contact World Run Day?
It's mailing
address and official headquarters are in New York City, New York. A satellite
office on Long Island, New York also contains support staff. World Run Day has a telephone number reserved exclusively for the media and
charitable organizations: 1 (917) 626-9623. It can also be contacted by
e-mailing pr@runday.com
Most
planning work is performed in Long Beach, New York with communication to the
running community via e-mail, telephone, and fax. Phone calls are
made internationally to the media and event organizers.
Does World Run Day advertise its
event to the general
public?
World Run Day expended limited funds for advertising in 1999 and 2000. In 2001
our event coordinator paid for over $10,000 USD for advertising in major running
magazines. In 2003 the advertising budget was increased significantly. Many event coordinators also participated in newspaper
interviews and achieved television exposure. In 2002 we placed ads
in running magazines and were the subject of articles. World Run Day
made "Best of The Web" in Runner's World Magazine - USA. In
2003 many editors of running magazines and running websites have
embraced the concept. It truly has become and international day of
running and an international day of charity.
World Run Day produces a series of event brochures for downloading and
relies on word of mouth and e-mail with both running and charity organizations. With the use of commonly available software on
most visitor desktops (Adobe Acrobat), the message can be exacting. Individuals and organizations
have the opportunity to tailor their own message by using innovative poster campaigns
offered by World Run Day on the www.runday.com
website.
Where
does the purchase price of the event t-shirt go?
In both 1999 and 2000 the cost of the event t-shirt to each
participant was simply the cost to manufacturer
and mail it. All administrative costs for World Run Day were privately funded. The decision to increase the cost of the t-shirt
(to help offset some advertising costs) was deliberated, but not adopted until 2001. In
2001
a very minimal increase was added to help fund promotion/advertising costs.
In 2003 event directors are free to choose their own t-shirt
manufacturers using our logo and t-shirt design. World Run Day receives
minimal compensation for their efforts. The highest quality
shirt with a colorful, symbolic design will go to each registered
charity runner. Any net profits from the virtual run are used to cover
admin. costs - in particular advertising in magazines worldwide.
How are sponsorship dollars utilized?
Any sponsorship dollars that are received are used to advertise the
World Run Day event. Getting the word out is the only task which
remains! We'd like to cover stories of this nature as we will be reporting
corporate in-kind gifts on the website as well.
Members of the media and news organizations are encouraged
to promote their favorite charities for this event, in addition to offering
runners the option to donate to any charity.
Awareness Campaign
Awareness will be made by using e-newsletters, responding to press
questions, and making periodic press releases. In 2003 unique methods will be
used in local settings. We also plan to ask runners to print and post
our message using our customized posters for the event.
The information contained on this web site may be published, broadcast or otherwise
distributed without the prior written authorization of World Run Day for
promotion of the event - in the spirit of the event!
Contact the World Run Day Webmaster at runday2003@yahoo.com
Understanding World Run Day
World Run Day is patterned after Earth Day. The best explanation is provided in
a narrative for a speech given to the Northport Road Running Club in Northport,
New York (October of 1999) called The Intent.
Presentations have since been made to the Greater Long Island Runners
Club and the Bohemia Track Club, both based on Long Island. In August
2003 a speech was delivered to the LA Leggers regarding the event. For more information regarding
speaking engagements please e-mail runday2003@yahoo.com.
Why running?
Running is not only a great activity to maintain your health, keep
competitive, and have fun. You meet great people in the process, and get
opportunities to help others. Much information has been written on running from
both the mind and body perspectives. We plan to point to that information as the
event approaches.
Why one special day?
It's time we had a day reserved for running, and also charity, on an
international basis - that everyone can enjoy. It's the Earth Day equivalent! When
a critical mass develops for a great event, such as the millennium celebration,
great things can happen. Despite the good physical condition of runners, we're
not going to wait for another millennium celebration in the year 3000 (Y3K?). We plan to work at
having a great celebration - for a good cause - with ourselves and our
friends! It will grow year after year.
Why all charities?
Our rule was to let the runner
decide where charity donations go. Let people donate for something that
is special to them. Lead another generation into charitable donation by example.
Lead another generation into running by partaking in a great annual event and have
fun doing it!
There is a history of charities hosting running events. Many different
charities have helped running. In return, runners have helped charity.
A fantastic synergistic effect can be created if the theme is carried
forth for one day, World Run Day - The Global Fitness and Charity
Challenge. Isn't it time?
The 'Power of Runners' worldwide!
How is it possible?
With low expenses via the internet, volunteers,
and runners that want to see a dramatic event it can happen. Although our formula lends itself more to local
sponsorship at present, we envision international sponsors in the near future.
Event organizers have the opportunity to place their own World Run Day sponsors
to use the back of the event t-shirt - for free! Have your sponsors share our
passion...
"If people were possessed
by reason, running marathons would not work. But we are not creatures of reason.
We are creatures of passion."
- Noel Carroll
Irish middle distance star in the mid-60's
Pursuit and Perseverance.
Perhaps more than any other phrase in the world, "pursuit and perseverance"
has been the driver of many events. This one
phrase has come to define the character of this event and those behind it. Inspiration
has come from many runners, many magazines, and many musicians. We feel that the
artists of the world have already imagined this event, and that the most logical
candidates to fulfill it are runners worldwide. We hope you think so too!
World Run Day
The Global Fitness & Charity Challenge
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