Mizuno Running Commissions University Of North Carolina Study Projecting The Impact On American Society "If Everybody Ran"

NORCROSS, Ga., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- "What if Everybody Ran?" That's the question Mizuno Running posed to MBA students at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School. The unique analysis puts perspective on the potentially profound impact a nation of runners could have on many of the biggest issues and challenges facing American society today. 

"Runners understand and see first-hand the positive effect running has on their lives," said Fritz Taylor, VP/GM of Mizuno Running. "Knowing the effect of running on our lives, we couldn't help but wonder what the macro impact would be if more and more people started adding running to their lives."

According to a 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80 percent of American adults do not get enough exercise. Today, there are approximately 30 million runners in America. In a month-long analysis process conducted by UNC, the research team combed through volumes of statistical data, existing studies and U.S. Census data to project the impact on several key areas of life – health, relationships and the economy, among other subjects – if all Americans were runners.

"Mizuno brought our MBA team a unique and thought-provoking opportunity," said Michael Schinelli, Associate Dean of External Communications and Marketing, UNC Kenan-Flagler.  "The results that surfaced from our analysis were eye-opening. It was remarkable to see the profound impact a simple activity like running could have on our society."

The analysis brought interesting figures to light for the U.S., including:

• $130 billion in health care savings
• Increase of more than $47 billion to the national GDP
• Nearly 2 billion pounds of total weight loss
• 10 percent increase in household earning potential
• 5 million fewer hospital visits

The entire results, including a downloadable white paper, are available online at www.ifeverybodyran.com. 

The analysis is the first part of the "What If Everybody Ran?" campaign which will roll out throughout the year and celebrate running's impact on individuals, communities and ultimately the U.S. Another aspect of the campaign includes Mizuno's support of Back on My Feet, a national for purpose 501(c)(3) organization that uses the transformative power of running to elevate homeless individuals out of poverty through the discipline, focus and determination developed via a consistent running regimen. The Mizuno and Back on My Feet partnership started with an Atlanta chapter sponsorship in January 2014 and will continue with a national fund-raising campaign tied to the "What If Everybody Ran" campaign in late Spring.

"We witness the positive impact running has on the individual daily at our 5:30 a.m. morning group runs," said Mary K. FitzGerald, CEO of Back on My Feet " We applaud Mizuno for commissioning this study as the tangible evidence proving running 's power is undeniable. The Mizuno campaign and analysis clearly adds greater context to the personal transformation we work to bring about through running with individuals experiencing homelessness across the U.S."

The "What If Everybody Ran" microsite – www.ifeverybodyran.com – takes individuals on a running journey to see the potential of a world of runners. The campaign anthem video, "What If Everybody Ran" campaign poster and the analysis white paper further highlight the findings and reasons for Americans to take to the roadways, trails and sidewalks on their first or one-thousandth run.

Join Mizuno on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to follow the transformative power of running as it moves around the U.S. Consumers can join the conversation and share their running moments using #IfEverybodyRan.

About Mizuno USA
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America.  Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.

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SOURCE Mizuno USA