Sign-up Now for the Nike "Run Hit Wonder" in Los Angeles

Press release
Source: Nike

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Donnas and More Perform Live for Thousands of Los Angeles Runners in the 2005 Race

Get ready for a run that will rock your night. Twenty thousand runners will be ready to rock the 5k/10k Los Angeles Run Hit Wonder race on September 24 while they run to the sounds of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' hit single "I Love Rock N' Roll" and west coast natives The Donnas' "Take It Off." The race will also feature Fountains of Wayne, hip hop artist Chingy, Nina Sky, DJ Z-Trip and The Aquabats.

This year, the bands featured have staying power - much like the race itself, which has proved to be much more than a "one" hit wonder. The 2005 Nike Run Hit Wonder Tour brings together rock icons and the latest hit-makers to create a unique experience for runners of all levels. Online registration for the race opened on July 12. All past Run Hit Wonder races have sold out, so Angelenos are encouraged to sign up early before all 20,000 spots are filled. Upon completion of the event, runners are invited to a concert featuring Joan Jett and the Blackheart at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Los Angeles is the last stop for the bands which held their first performance at the New York event (June 20), and then hit the road with stops for races in Portland (July 24) and Chicago (Sept. 13).

To help runners prepare for this unique event, Nike is hosting free training runs throughout the city starting August 13, to allow runners to train, socialize with fellow runners and test-drive the latest performance running gear. Trainees will try out the new Nike Shox Cog and Nike Shox Go, Nike Sphere Apparel and Triax Series watches. All registrants will also receive a custom designed Nike Run Hit Wonder Dri-FIT T-shirt.

The training runs will be held six days a week leading up to the race, and will be led by professional running coaches. Participants will be treated to expert running advice, pace groups and complimentary food and beverages. Raffle prizes will also be available at select training runs. Specific run locations, dates and times can be found at www.nikerunhitwonder.com.

"Angelenos showed so much enthusiasm for the Run Hit Wonder races in 2003 & 2004, that we couldn't wait to bring the event back to the city this year," said Joaque Hidalgo, Vice President of Nike US Brand Management. "It's a unique opportunity for runners of all levels to come together and celebrate their common love of running and music. We're looking forward to rocking L.A. with thousands of runners once again."

As part of the main event in each city, finisher medals will be provided to all participants. In addition, the top overall female and male winners in the 5k/10k and wheelchair races will receive a Fender Squier Stratocaster® guitar. Proceeds from the event will support NikeGO, Nike's national community affairs initiative that encourages youth to become more physically active. NikeGO will also donate 1,000 race entries to local youth groups in LA to promote health and fitness to those in the community.

For more information on the race, training runs and to register, visit www.nikerunhitwonder.com or call 1-877-4-RUNHIT.

About Nike, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan ®, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.

NikeGO

NikeGO is Nike's signature U.S. community affairs initiative and the company's long-term commitment to getting kids more physically active. The program's mission is to increase physical activity in youth ages 8-15, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. Nike committed more than $10 million last year in cash and products to get kids moving and targets to increase that amount in the current year through programs such as PE2GO. Visit www.nikego.com for additional information.

Media Contact:
Ilana Finley
Nike, Inc.
503-671-6734
or
Michelle Forrest
Fleishman Hillard
213-489-8273