By the Governor of the State of Georgia

A Proclamation Running Day

Whereas: A large number of Georgia residents are avid runners, and the state is home to several national and world-class running events, including the Peachtree Road Race, held each year with 55,000 participants; and

Whereas: Almost two-thirds of the nation’s adults are overweight or clinically obese, and obesity rates among children and adolescents have doubled and even tripled in some age groups over the past three decades. Overweight youth age 10-15 face an 80 percent chance of becoming obese adults; and

Whereas: Running is a simple, highly effective, low-cost form of exercise that can be conveniently enjoyed by virtually anyone; and

Whereas: The Atlanta Track Club has joined with other prominent U.S. road racing and track and field organizations in a grassroots effort to promote running through a variety of National Running Day activities; now

Therefore: I, SONNY PERDUE, Governor of the state of Georgia, do hereby proclaim June 3, 2009 as RUNNING DAY in Georgia.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 28th day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand nine.