You may run alone, but on National Running Day, we celebrate together!
On June 1, thousands of runners from around the nation shared their passion for a lifestyle that is one of the best and simplest ways to stay fit—and so much more.

The HMC kicked off National Running day bright and early. Local runners joined Executive Director Wade Morehead and Managing Director Steven Karpas at Houston’s Memorial Park for an early morning run at 6:30 a.m.

Wednesday also marked the launch of general race registration for the 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon. More than 5,000 runners registered on opening day.

The HMC closed out National Running Day with a runner appreciation celebration at Sports Authority. About 200 Houstonians gathered to mix, mingle and enter for a chance to win a guaranteed 2012 race entry courtesy of our partners Sports Authority and Under Armour.

Because of the great turnout, Sports Authority and Under Armour donated an additional five race entries to be drawn! Congratulations to all 15 winners!

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Guests who didn’t receive an entry didn’t leave empty-handed – runners received goodie bags, coupons and water bottles courtesy of Sports Authority. Plus, the first 100 guests got a free National Running Day “I RUN” T-shirt.

Special thanks to our partners Sports Authority and Under Armour for providing complementary race entries and Zoes Kitchen for generously donating healthy bites! 

We also want to thank everyone who joined us to celebrate National Running Day! Your stories inspire us and show the world why the Houston running community is such a great place. Here are some of your stories shared with us on Facebook:

I RUN….

To fight cancer one mile at a time. – Hillary Ybarra Joesph
Because it challenges me and helps relieve stress! – Gaby Ramirez
To keep my sanity! It’s my “me time” when nothing else matters. – Casey Smith-Streater
Because asthma won’t tell me what to do and to help every foundation running helps, from SPCA to AIDS. – Enrique Lopez
Because my wife is way too good of a cook. – Brad Graving
Because that’s how I fly. – Sylvia Patriarca

How did you celebrate National Running Day? What motivates you to run? Leave a comment below and share with us your passion for running!