The Not-So Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Who said running was a loner sport.

Niketown has been sponsoring jogs-about-town from its mammoth Beverly Hills location for years. When a race is upcoming, it sponsors group runs at other locations throughout the city and South Bay, as well. The sneaker seller has just launched a new batch of training runs ahead of the Brentwood 5k/10k Run on Sunday May 28th, Memorial Day weekend. They're all free.

As a lure, Nike is offering "test drives" of brand-new sneakers at each run, free post-run snacks and sometimes free raffled goodies (as long as you don't mind the omnipresent swoosh). Despite the sweat, the side-stitches and the nagging thought that you're a tacit participant in one big marketing campaign, most people seem to enjoy themselves. Must be all those endorphins knocking about.

Here's the upcoming schedule. And yep, you can wear your Asics.

NIKE CLUB RUN LA TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR MAY

Tuesday (5/2 - 5/23)
6:30PM: Sangria, 68 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach

Thursday (5/4 - 5/25)
6:30PM: Niketown Los Angeles, 9560 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills

Saturday (5/6 - 5/27)
8:30AM: Starbucks Ladera Center, 5301 Centinela Boulevard, Ladera Heights

Sunday (5/7 - 5/21)
9:00AM: FrontRunners, 11620 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood

photo by katehutson via flickr