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Not only did runners rock the Nike+ Human Race 10K in 26 cities around the world, but they also meet up across the U.S. to Run Where You Are at unique events organized by local retailers. Here’s how the Nike+ Human Race unfolded across the nation as told by our Nike pacers. PHILADELPHIA, PA: CITY SPORTS
In The City of Brotherly Love, the common denominator is community. The neighborhood you live in, where you work, the bar you drink in, your favorite park, etc. Some communities are small. Some are large. Some are obscure. Some are mainstream. But more than the car you drive, the clothes you wear or the way you speak, your communities are what define who you are and what you’re about in Philadelphia. This city is about authenticity, and community is something you can’t fake. Through the Nike+ Human Race, Philadelphia now has a new community. Sixty-four runners from different parts of the city, different socioeconomic groups and different races gathered together on a beautiful Sunday morning to run ten kilometers together in the spirit of social change through sport. The runners began to gather at City Sports in Center City Philadelphia around 9 a.m. Many wore their red Human Race tees and others wore the black Starbucks version. There were smiles and familiar faces, as most of the runners had attended at least one of the seven training runs held at City Sports leading up to race day. Additionally, City Sports employees were out in full force to run, as they had been throughout the training run series. Even a few Finish Line sales associates from stores across the area showed up to run, adding to the small group of new faces. Also in attendance were members and volunteers from Philadelphia’s homeless running club, Back On My Feet (www.backonmyfeet.org). The members that run with this organization are homeless men and women from the city who are using running as a means to improve their lives. We partnered with Back On My Feet as a way to bring the themes of the Human Race closer to home. It was a natural fit. The energy was palpable as I stood in front of the large group of runners outside City Sports and gave a rundown of the course. The local CBS affiliate was on hand, as was a Nike-commissioned photographer. Both were filming the event and reminding us all that we were part of something bigger than simply a run through downtown Philly. Runners all over the world were running for a cause on this day and we were part of it. “This has been awesome,” said Frank, a regular at the training runs, before we started the race. “I’m really glad you guys have put all this together!” He later asked me how he could get involved with Back On My Feet. We all lined up at the “starting line” (a Human Race “Start” sign taped to a light post) and then, with some whoops and shouts from the group, we simply started running. No gun, no pomp and circumstance. Just simple and straightforward, like Philly. The course was a pure “out-and-back” which led us straight up Walnut Street to the Walnut Street Bridge. Once at the bridge, the runners carefully took a stairway down to the Schuylkill River path and ran straight toward the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum and Fairmount Park. Once runners hit the halfway point, about two kilometers past the famed Boathouse Row, they were instructed to turn around by two City Sports employees and a Human Race sign with the words “Turn Around” written in dry erase pen. Again, nice and straightforward. Upon returning to City Sports, runners were greeted with Starbucks iced coffee and water. There were smiles, laughs and a ton of cheers and applause for the runners coming in as we stood outside, caught our collective breath and basked in the collective runners’ high. “That was the first time I’ve run more than two miles in I can’t tell you how long,” said one winded, middle-aged woman. “It felt great though!” After the last runner came in, everyone gathered inside City Sports for a final prize raffle. The raffle had become a tradition at each training run and the runners had grown to look forward to it. The grand prize was a full Nike+ iPod experience featuring an iPod nano, a Nike+ Sport Kit and Nike+ ready footwear. This was won by one of Back On My Feet’s homeless runners, which garnered cheers from the crowd. “We’ve got to keep doing the runs,” said a regular training run attendee, echoing a common sentiment among the group. “There aren’t any run clubs like this in Center City and there needs to be.” DES MOINES, IA: SHEEL’S
Let me start out by saying the race was a success. The weather was a perfect sunny day, we had plenty of volunteers, and the race went on without a hitch. All the runners were in a great mood and we received many thanks from a lot of the runners. In total we had 131 runners run on Sunday morning! What a success! Top finishers (each received a Nike+ Sportband): Male – 36:20 Eric Osterhouse, Congrats Des Moines runners! BOSTON, MA: CITY SPORTS
How did the City Sports Run Where You Are event in Boston go? Read on! Runners were excited to be participating in the biggest race ever!!! There was a total of 117 runners that attended and participated in the Boston RWYA event beginning at City Sports and finishing at Niketown Boston Favorite quotes from the day: “If these shoes are as good to me as the have been during these runs, you have a Nike wearer for life” – Emily Glick “I just have to thank you and Nike for making running fun for me again. I ran when I was in high school and college, I graduated and then it kind of feel apart. But now I look forward to at least a weekly run thanks to my buddy Doug who dragged me down here” – Jason Green “Over the last 6 weeks, I’ve been going to the training runs and I feel like it really helped me get ready for this weekends run. I’m now looking forward to competing in my next 10K, but I know it won’t be anything like this” – Anna Ammelismo The Nike+ van was on hand displaying the latest footwear and tech equipment as well as trialing shoes for anyone interested in possibly purchasing footwear. Runners loved the free Nike+ workout iTunes card as well as the skins for the iPod Nano, Classic and Shuffle. Runners also loved the race shirts that were provided, and several stated that they were possibly framing the shirts to commemorate their event. Snacks and smoothies were provided by HealthWorks, a local health club suited and geared towards women. The first runner finished was a Niketown Run Club regular and the winner of a gift card and Nike+ SportBand PEORIA, IL: RUNNING CENTRAL
Nearly 100 participants showed up for the free, certified, chip-timed Nike+ Human Race 10K hosted at Running Central’s location, 700 W. Main St. in Peoria, IL. The race was timed professionally by IPICO Timing, allowing participants to take part in the race, even if they did not own a Sportband or Sportkit. The race began at 8 am on 8/31/2008 and wound through the West Bluff neighborhood of Peoria. Prizes were given to the top three finishers in four categories (Overall Men, Overall Womens, Masters Men and Masters Women). An impressive winning time was turned in by Trent Hoerr (31:09, 5:01 per mile pace) A terrific post-race party for participants concluded the outstanding event. We are already looking forward to next year!
MIAMI, FL: Mr. R’s Sports The Nike+ Human Race 10K in Miami, Florida started at 7am at Mr. R’s Sports. 80 runners toed the line, including 65 Miami locals and 15 participants visiting from all reaches of the globe. The race featured a gorgeous course along the beach (raved about by many!), ending at Mr. R’s Sports. Nike+ Human Race tees were given to all runners. Post-race, participants enjoyed food and drinks compliments of Starbucks and a raffle featuring two pairs of shoes, 2 SportBands, an iPod nano and an one month membership to Equinox. To stretch and soothe the runners tired limbs, massage was provided by Equinox. A few participants shared a little about their Nike+ Human Race experience. Name: Fernanda Pend , Age: 28 , Address: Recently moved from Brazil to Miami Beach Fernanda just moved to Miami Beach from Brazil to be with her new husband. She was supposed to be running the Nike+ Human Race with her father in Brazil on 8.31.08, but since she moved a week ago, it was impossible. She ran with us on South Beach because she still wanted to say she ran the event with her father whom she misses dearly. Now she can say she ran it “virtually” with him through NikePlus! “Nike has always been my favorite brand in the context of sports. [The] energy and charisma, noticed in the last Sunday, reflect what I think about Nike. I hope they see what a great work [Nike] did and do everyday. Also, I take this opportunity to thank Nike to promote an event of great proportion and so allowing me to participate” Names: Lisa & Friend, Age: 30+, Address: Washington, DC & Baltimore, MD These ladies happened to be on vacation for the weekend in South Beach. They were not going to run the Human Race because they weren’t in a “physical” race city but when they saw the window at MR. R’s Sports on Lincoln Road they thought, “why not run it here?” They had a great experience at the event and walked away feeling like they were part of something bigger and still ran against their friends who were running the NYC Human Race. Names: Unknown, Age: 30+, Address: Lisbon, Spain & Milan, Italy These guys were in South Beach on vacation and saw the Mr. R’s Human Race window. They were going to run on their own on 8.31.08 so they could run against their friends in Europe but decided to run with us at our Mr. R’s Sports RWYA location. They had a great time and were happy to run with the group. PALM BEACH, FL: NIKE AT THE GARDENS
On 8.31.08 in Palm Beach, Florida, 65 runners gathered at the Nike at The Gardens to participate in the world’s largest 10K! The event was a resounding success with a well-marked course, plentiful water stations and a finisher tape to mark a well-earned 10K finish. All finishers received official finisher certificates as well as bagels, fruit, muffins, OJ and coffee from Greenwise Publix. A raffle was also held and included prizes such as socks, sweatbands, Nike+ Human Race bags, SportBands and a watch. EVERYONE COMPLETED THE WHOLE 6.2 MILES and the entire group of 65 participants waited for everyone to finish. Runners traveled from various cities including Orlando and Port Saint Lucie, Boca, and Gainesville. NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: ROAD RUNNER SPORTS I attended Road Runner Sports in North Brunswick for their Run Where You Are event. It was a small event with just eight runners, but it was an outstanding event nonetheless. The morning began with a breakfast, a small clinic on Nike shoes, and the opportunity for gait analysis by the RRS staff. It was a great success with the new runners really enjoying the small education on running. One of the runners, Mike said, “I really enjoyed the gait analysis, I never knew so much went into running shoes.” The event itself, the Nike+ Human Race 10K was more of a group run experience than a race as we all ran about 8 minute pace and finished just under 50 minutes for the 6.2 miles. The group enjoyed the conversation and relaxed pace of the run. Tom said, “It was great talking about running and the Games in Beijing during the run, it helped time past much quicker.” Overall the whole experience proved to be a winning effort and fun was had by all. Here’s a little more on some of the individuals who participated: Mike, 33, married, resident of North Brunswick, NJ Q: How did you get started running? Q: So how much do you run now? Q: How did you get involved in the Human Race? Q: How have you enjoyed the event today? Tom, 38, married, resident of West Windsor, NJ Q: How did you get involved in the Human Race? Q: Have you enjoyed the event today? Q: How long have you been running for? |
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