Have you heard about the holiday just for hugging other runners? And did you know that Run The Edge actually invented the global holiday? Okay well, it’s about a little more than just hugging other runners, but as the resident experts on the holiday, we can tell you all about it.
What is G.O.H.A.R.D?
Let’s start from the beginning! G.O.H.A.R.D stands for globally organized hug a runner day, and it’s when you get to hug all the runners in your life (if they would like to be hugged). G.O.H.A.R.D takes place on November 20th every year and has been celebrated since 2010. Over the years, Hug A Runner Day has evolved, but the sentiment has stayed the same: the mission is to spread unity and levity throughout the running/walking community.
How did Hug A Runner Day start?
Back in 2010, Run The Edge founders Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher came across a Facebook page called “Hug A Cross Country Runner Day,” and were inspired by the overflowing positivity within the group. To keep the positivity going year after year and to expand the community to include ALL runners, Tim and Adam created Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day. The first virtual event was held on November 20th, 2011 with the mission to raise 1,000,000 hugs. Tim and Adam produced t-shirts and created several Facebook groups to promote the event, encouraging people to wear their running shoes to work or even don old bib numbers if they still had them. Participants were prompted to hug (with permission) the runners in their lives and perform random acts of kindness. To their surprise, the event was picked up by blogs around the world and November 20th was recognized as “Hug A Runner Day” on many annual holiday lists.
What does Hug A Runner Day look like now?
Since 2011, Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day has transformed but continues the same mission of spreading unity and levity throughout the running/walking community. What started as just one day has turned into a 10-day celebration aimed at bringing the community together, giving money away, and donating money to charity. Run The Edge hosts a 10-day long challenge, justly named “Hug A Runner,” where participants have 10 chances over 10 days to win $500 just for running a 5k! Each day they run a 5k, they’re entered to win the prize money for that day. In addition, the proceeds from Hug A Runner are all donated to charity! The challenge starts on November 11th and ends on Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day, November 20th. Interested in entering to win $500 and benefiting a charity at the same time? You can register here!
How Can I Participate in Hug A Runner Day?
You can participate in Hug A Runner Day in quite a few different ways!
- You can participate in Run The Edge’s Hug A Runner 5K for $5K Challenge!
10 days, 10 chances to win $500 (and support a charity)
2. You can hug your favorite runners (with permission of course!)
If you want to share your hugs on social, be sure to tag @_runtheedge_ on Instagram, @RunTheEdge on Twitter and Facebook, and #hugarunner and #gohard
3. Snag some Hug A Runner swag
From medals to t-shirts to vintage license plates, we’ve got you covered!
4. Do a random act of kindness!
This holiday is all about connecting the community and spreading positivity, so you could do something like buying a coffee for a stranger in line behind you or plant a tree.
Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day is one of our favorite holidays and we’re happy to share it with you! Now you know what Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day is all about, let’s go hug some runners! Tag us on social to let us know how you’ll be participating this year.
