Saucony is launching the Saucony Run4Good App with the goal of combating childhood obesity. For every mile logged into the app by runners, Saucony will donate funds to selected youth running programs. Saucony was not specific about the amount it intends to donate, or the specific charitable organizations which it plans to donate funds.
The running shoe and clothing company began the Run For Good foundation to improve the lives of children by helping to prevent childhood obesity. The app, which is an extension of the program, tugs at runners’ shoelaces by capitalizing on two rising trends – though this is a good thing. According to Running USA’s 2012 State of the Sport, “Americans are running in record numbers and the rise in charity runners is fueling the second running boom,” Saucony says in a company statement.
The second trend: “The U.S. running community is fast becoming an app nation unto itself, with running apps set to increase more than tenfold by 2016,” a figure from an ABI Research report, cited by Saucony.
The Run4Good app lets runners track their miles. It also lets runners take place in charity running, without having to sign up for a charity run or race, and then go through the fund raising.
Here’s what Saucony said about how it will determine donations. “Each month, when a predetermined mileage goal is reached, Saucony will double its donation to selected youth running programs, inspiring individual runners to both unite over their passion for running and combat the childhood obesity epidemic.”
Runners can join teams and challenge friends to compete each month by checking out the leaderboards. The app will be free, and available for iPhone in the Apple App Store starting September 5.
Saucony Official Website
Saucony Run For Good Foundation Official Website