Marathon Monday—Whether You Do 26.2 or 2, Run with Nike+ Today for a Great Cause

Last year’s tragic events aside, the Boston Marathon has always been a big deal in Massachusetts—it’s a state holiday! Growing up, it meant a day off from school, and since getting older and moving to Boston, it has meant a day of getting together with friends at house parties or bars along the marathon route and cheering on the runners while day drinking. It’s the best.

This year will, of course, be a little different. It’s going to be emotionally charged; the heightened security will be felt; last year’s horrific turn of events will undoubtedly be on everyone’s mind. But I can already tell by the happy buzz of runners and Bostonians out and about all weekend that the spirit of the day has by no means been broken. And what better triumph and tribute to all the lives lost and marred by last year is there than that?

On Friday I was invited to the re-opening of the Nike store on Newbury Street (the line of sneakerheads outside the store was insane—some people camped out overnight???). The store looks amazing, but the best sight isn’t a piece of décor or pair of kicks—it’s the two treadmills set up in the middle. All weekend long, for every mile run on those two treadmills, Nike has been donating $100 to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides support to people with physical disabilities. To kick it off, Gronk, Shane Victorino and Sarah Reinertsen hopped on the treadmills to log the first mile. (Not gonna lie, I was super excited to see Gronk there haha.)

Great time watching @AlwaysTri @RobGronkowski & @ShaneVictorino kick off the $100/mile donation–join at @NikeBoston! pic.twitter.com/25XCjoEr4X

— Nicole Perry (@nicoleperr) April 18, 2014

Today, in honor of the Boston Marathon, for everyone who can’t make it into the Nike Boston store, you can still contribute to the cause by simply going for a run and logging it using the Nike smartphone app. Literally anywhere. For every mile run WORLDWIDE today, Nike will donate $1 to CAF. How amazing is that?? Just be sure to tag it with #strongereveryrun in the app. I know a bunch of you readers are runners, so get on that!

As for me, I’m off for a quick run around the Charles before today’s festivities begin (using the Nike app, obviously!). One day I’ll run a marathon, but for now, I’m much better at drinking beer. I hope everyone in Boston has a wonderful, safe day and best of luck to all you badasses running the marathon!