Performance Health a sponsor of the March 2014 Run It Forward tour

AKRON, Ohio — Performance Health recently sponsored the March 2014 Run It Forward tour, the company announced Wednesday. A donation of Biofreeze, TheraBand, Cramer and Perform products supported the elite runners’ training, performance and recovery needs during the 15-day event. Run It Forward helps educate America’s underserved youth on the benefits of staying physically and mentally healthy, and the resulting impact it can have on their education.

“Run It Forward brings together amazing people who are passionate about health, fitness and the well-being of kids. We are extremely proud of this unique running event that showcases the benefits of staying healthy,” stated RIF participant Mike Cicero of the Wellfit Group. “We also take pride in being an organization that is run 100% by volunteers. This means that all of the monies invested go directly to raising awareness and resources for underserved schools." 

Focused on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the RIF tour impacted schools that were pummeled by Hurricane Katrina and have yet to recover. The 1,500 mile trek began on March 2 in Orlando, Fla. and finished at Port Isabelle, Texas on March 16. Each day, after individually running between eight and 18 miles, the Run It Forward team stopped at underserved schools and presented an assembly on empowerment and wellness with the message of “I’m possible vs. impossible”. Inspirational presentations were given by Run It Forward founder, former Oakland Raiderette and ultra runner Erika Small; motivational speaker, author and ultra runner Jason Harper; and Grammy nominated rock star from the band Papa Roach and RIF participant Jacoby Shaddix. Following the assembly, the team hosted a 3K Fun Run for the students and provided the schools with a self-contained after school program called Project FIT.