Saucony Run for Good Foundation™ Announces New Round of Grant Winners

July 20, 2022

WALTHAM, MA /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – With children’s physical activity worldwide dropping by 20% amid the Covid-19 pandemic, global performance running lifestyle brand Saucony today underscored its continued commitment to children’s health and fitness with the announcement of the latest round of Saucony Run for Good Foundation grant winners. The Foundation, established in 2006 to help combat childhood obesity, has been an industry leader in supporting nationwide efforts to ensure that children in the U.S. can grow up healthy and fit. Over the past 16 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million dollars in grants to nearly 200 schools and community organizations dedicated to preventing childhood obesity through running and proper nutrition. The new findings in children’s physical activity, representing a one-third reduction in recommended levels, was published by JAMA Pediatrics on July 11.

The following organizations have been selected to receive a Saucony Run for Good Foundation grant:

• Fit Girls of Wilton Maine, Wilton, Maine
• Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, Canton, MA
• Jackson in Action, Black River Fall, WI
• Run Wild Trail Camp, Lakewood, CO
• Happiness is Camping, Inc., Hardwick, NJ
• Trinity Boston Connects, Boston, MA
• Rod Dixon’s Kids Marathon Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

“We’re seeing a pandemic within a pandemic,” said Anne Cavassa, president of Saucony and the Saucony Run for Good Foundation Board of Directors. “Childhood obesity was a widespread issue before; now two years into the pandemic, its increased at an unprecedented rate. As a mother myself, I know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle for children has been difficult during this time. With the closures of schools, sports, summer camps and community programs, many children lost access to not only moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but healthy meals as well. The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed more than ever to providing access and resources to get kids back up and moving. Finding ways to support the health of children year-round—whether during a pandemic or not—must be a priority for us all.”

Research shows prevention efforts early in life reduce the risk of obesity later. A recent report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seeks to reverse the trend by placing greater emphasis on the prevention of childhood obesity, not just the treatment. In addition to a healthier diet, the report also stresses the importance of physical activity, recommending 60 minutes of activity daily. Yet, the JAMA Pediatrics study revealed a decrease of 17 minutes per day in children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from pre-pandemic to during the COVID-19 pandemic, concluding that targeted health initiatives are urgently needed to reverse this trend.

The proportion of American children who are overweight or obese, which has climbed steadily for years, surged to unparalleled levels during the pandemic, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the pandemic, the U.S. rate of obesity among kids ages 2 to 19 increased to 22.4% in 2020, up from 19.3% in 2019. Obesity increases the risk for health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.

About Saucony: Saucony, the ‘Original Running Brand’ and a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), is a leading global performance running brand that fuses innovation, style and culture. Widely recognized for award-winning technologies including PWRRUN™ PB, PWRRUN+™, and SPEEDROLL™, Saucony creates innovative technical and lifestyle footwear and apparel across Road, Trail and Originals. Founded in 1898, Saucony exists to inspire and serve all humans to live their best life by providing access to running, self-expression and creating a better world. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About the Saucony Run for Good Foundation™: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provides funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. Since the Foundation launched in 2006, it has awarded more than $1.5 million dollars in grants to organizations nationwide. For more information, visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

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Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano

Saucony

617-824-6126

sharon.barbano@saucony.com