Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day

Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day, abbreviated as the acronym G.O.H.A.R.D., is an annual event that is open to all types of runners—and even to walkers. Created by runners Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano, founders of Run The Edge, Hug a Runner Day has a few goals. First, the day raises money and awareness for organizations that help children. Some organizations that have been supported by the day include Girls on the Run, Playworks, Shoes That Fit, and the American Society for Deaf Children. The money is raised through registration fees for an annual running event that takes place on the day and on the days leading up to it. A second goal of the day is this running event, where Run The Edge gives away $500 to participants on the day and on each of the nine days preceding it. To be eligible, one must walk or run a 5K on each day they are participating and then must enter info about it into the Run The Edge Tracker. The last goal of the day is for runners to hug other runners!

How to Observe Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day

Celebrate by checking the Run The Edge website for information about their Hug a Runner Challenge event, and then register for it. Then, run or walk a 5K on Globally Organized Hug a Runner Day and on the days leading up to it, making sure to enter your info into the Run The Edge Tracker. A second way to celebrate the day is to hug other runners. First, you should make sure you know how to properly hug a runner. In the past, Run The Edge has suggested some ways to hug on the day, including wearing your running shoes or an old race bib and running up to and giving a hug to anyone you see wearing these items; organizing a group hug with your training group and sending Run The Edge a picture of your G.O.H.A.R.D. celebration; sending a virtual hug to all runners you know by putting their name in double parentheses like this: ((name)); and by committing "random acts of hugging." You can also post about G.O.H.A.R.D. on social media and watch for up-to-date information about the day on the Run The Edge Facebook page.

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