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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Bill McDermott | bill@runday.com | 917-626-9623
Website: www.runday.com
Date: October 23, 2025

“Few Runners, Big Spirit” – World Run Day Keeps Running for a Reason

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (Oct. 23, 2025) — When Bill McDermott created World Run Day years ago, he never imagined it would be measured in miles instead of crowds. Now, with only 70 runners officially registered for this Sunday’s event (Oct. 26), the spirit of the movement remains as strong as ever.

“This has always been about belief, not numbers,” said McDermott. “One runner can carry a message just as far as a thousand — and the message is simple: run for your health, for charity, and for humanity.” Since its founding, World Run Day has featured over 25 unique event shirts created for runners in different years  — each symbolizing a moment in the movement’s evolution.
View the collection on the runday.com Gallery link.

World Run Day is a virtual and local running celebration that invites runners across the globe to choose a charity, set their own course, and run on the same day in solidarity. To make that USA connection possible, organizers have created over 1,000 city-specific registration sites across the U.S. and some abroad — allowing runners to join under their own city banner and support local causes while being part of one worldwide movement.Over the years, the concept has quietly spread through running clubs and social media, where participants share their miles and motivations using the #WorldRunDay hashtag.

This year’s edition may be smaller on paper, but the idea is growing again — runners from over 27  states  plan to lace up and run for causes from mental health awareness to environmental restoration.

“It’s a reminder that the running community is built on heart, not hype,” McDermott added. “When you run on World Run Day, you join a tradition — not just an event.”

Organizers hope that by keeping the flame alive this year, the movement will ignite even more interest in 2026 — especially as runners worldwide seek ways to connect through shared purpose.

High-resolution photos, B-roll, and participant stories are available for media use. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Bill McDermott at bill@runday.com or visit www.runday.com.

About World Run Day

World Run Day, founded in 1999, is a global running initiative founded by Bill McDermott – the originator of “Virtual Running.” Its intent is to celebrate the sport of running and its power to unite communities. Each year, runners worldwide are encouraged to run in support of a charity of their choice — from mental health to environmental causes — and to share their stories of purpose and connection.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bill McDermott
Founder
World Run Day
bill@runday.com
917-626-9623

World Run Day Launches Registration for 2025 International Evnt

Long Beach, NY – August 25 – World Run Day, a global initiative celebrating the spirit of running and charity, is thrilled to announce that registration is soon to open for World Run Day 2025 a Virtual Run benefiting participant charities. This event invites runners from across the USA and beyond to join forces, take action, and make a meaningful impact to running and charity.

Event Highlights

• Registration: Open to runners of all abilities for its 5K Event, the most popular racing distance in the world, Starting September 2025.
• Run Anywhere: Participants can complete a 5K run at their own pace and location – anywhere in the USA (and possibly beyond)
• Charitable Focus: Runners are encouraged to donate directly to their charity of choice.
• Submit Results: Participants can upload their 5K results to celebrate their achievements and compare with other runners world-wide.

Join the Movement
World Run Day is a celebration of running, Passionnate runners share the benefits of running and donate whatever they can directly to their charity of choice. 

Registration is scheduled to be open any day at runsignup.com. Said  McDermott: “Now is the time to come together and help broadcast your love for running and help others at the same time”.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Bill McDermott
Founder, World Run Day
bill@runday.com
917-626-9623

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bill McDermott
Founder
World Run Day
bill@runday.com
917-626-9623

World Run Day Creates Virtual Run to Support Los Angeles Wildfire Victims

Long Beach, NY  – January 22 –World Run Day, a global initiative celebrating the spirit of running and charity, is proud to announce the creation of a Virtual Run to benefit charities supporting victims of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. This special event invites runners from around the USA (and possibly beyond) to unite, take action, and make a meaningful difference.

Founded by California native Bill McDermott, World Run Day has long empowered runners to come together for a cause, helping numerous charities across the United States. With personal ties to both Los Angeles and the Bay Area—including Anaheim, Crestline, Alameda, Oakland, and Garden Grove. He’s also been a proud competitor in the 2004 LA Marathon, showing his dedication to the sport and the city. McDermott brings a deep connection and commitment to this fundraising effort for wildfire recovery.

Event Highlights

• Free Registration: Open to runners of all abilities, registration is entirely free to ensure everyone can participate.
• Run Anywhere: Participants can complete a 5K run at their own pace and location.
• Charitable Focus: Runners are encouraged to donate directly to trusted charities in Los Angeles, such as The American Red Cross, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
• Submit Results: Participants can upload their 5K results to celebrate their achievements and be part of this impactful global movement.
• Keepsake Digital Poster: A commemorative digital poster featuring the names of all participants (first 5,000) will be created and available for free download.

“As a native Californian with roots in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area, this cause is deeply personal to me,” said McDermott, founder of World Run Day. “I’ve witnessed the strength and resilience of California communities, and this Virtual Run is an opportunity for runners everywhere to come together in support of those affected by these devastating wildfires.”

Join the Movement

World Run Day’s Virtual Run is a celebration of resilience, compassion, and the power of community. By running, donating, and spreading the word, participants can contribute to meaningful change for those in need.

Registration opens Soon. “We are in the later stages of development for the LA Virtual Run and currently requesting donor links from several charities”, said McDermott.

About World Run Day

Founded by Bill McDermott, World Run Day is a global initiative that encourages runners to celebrate their passion for running while supporting charitable organizations. With a history of engaging communities and driving positive impact, World Run Day remains a beacon of hope and action for runners worldwide.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Bill McDermott
Founder, World Run Day
bill@runday.com
917-626-9623

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Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bill McDermott
Founder
World Run Day
Bill@runday.com
917-626-9623

WORLD RUN DAY ANNOUNCES EXPANDED VIRTUAL RUN EVENTS AND WEBSITE UPGRADES TO SUPPORT GLOBAL INITIATIVE

Long Beach, NY  – December 8, 2024 – World Run Day, the pioneering organization behind the first-ever virtual run in 1999, is thrilled to announce significant changes to its platform and programming. As part of our commitment to promoting health, wellness, and unity through running, we are expanding our virtual events and modernizing our website to enhance the participant experience.

Since its inception, World Run Day has been dedicated to empowering runners of all abilities to celebrate their passion for the sport while giving back to their communities. The creation of the world’s first virtual run in 1999 revolutionized the way runners engage with charitable causes, and we are proud to carry on this tradition with an even broader slate of events in 2024.

New Virtual Run Events to Fund the World Run Day Initiative
This year, participants can look forward to an exciting lineup of new virtual run events, designed to connect runners from across the globe. Each event will directly contribute to funding the World Run Day initiative, which seeks to inspire individuals to lead healthier lives while supporting charitable causes.

Website Enhancements for a Seamless Experience
To better serve our growing community, we are undergoing a comprehensive overhaul of our website. The upgraded platform will feature an intuitive design, enhanced event registration capabilities, and a centralized hub for participants to track their progress, connect with others, and access resources to prepare for their runs.

“We are excited to take World Run Day to new heights,” said Bill McDermott, Founder of World Run Day. “By expanding our virtual run offerings and modernizing our website, we’re making it easier than ever for runners worldwide to join us in celebrating the joy of running and the power of giving back.”

Join the Movement
Registration for the upcoming virtual run events are now open (World Run Day starting January 1, 2025). Participants can choose their preferred distance, run at their own pace, and share their achievements through our online platform. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a beginner looking to make a difference, World Run Day invites you to be part of a movement that unites runners for a common cause.

For more information about World Run Day, our virtual run events, and how to get involved, visit www.runday.com.

About World Run Day
Founded in 1999, World Run Day is a global initiative dedicated to celebrating the spirit of running and promoting health, wellness, and charity. As the creators of the first virtual run, we continue to inspire runners worldwide to make an impact through their passion for the sport.

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