About Running 101

Running 101 is offered free of charge by Highmark Inc. to the public—including members, their families and the community at-large.

This 10-week physical activity program provides the tools and support to help participants train and complete their first 5k race.

The premise is: Walk. Run a little. Then run a little more. (Start small and build your way up to crossing that finish line!)

Getting started is easy. Register for a training start date. Select a training option. Make a commitment.
Participants begin by choosing one of the eight training start dates. They will then choose one of two training options.

• In-Person Training: For those that prefer to meet with an expert coach in-person and train with others (Available at select locations)
• Online, Self-Guided Training: For those that prefer to train on their own, at their own pace (Available to all, regardless of location)

The online, self-guided coach option is available to the community at large, regardless of location. For example, it allows an individual in New Mexico to run a local race of their choice and train with a virtual coach. The individual simply chooses a training start date that best coincides with a local 5K race.

This approach allows for an ongoing registration period—participants will register for trainings that start 10 weeks prior to their chosen race date. Registration will run from May 15 through September 12, 2014.

Twelve popular 5K races have been identified in Western and Central Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware, and training begins 10 weeks prior to each race.

The program also includes an online training guide, downloadable MP3’s with music and “coach” to guide workouts, motivational videos and weekly emails. Other engagement tactics include text messages and social media (Running 101 Facebook “fan” page, Twitter feed and Pinterest board).

A complete list of races and training sites/dates is available at www.highmark.com/running 101.