WHAT:

Thousands will lace up their sneakers in Portland on January 1, declaring their commitments to living healthy, active lives in 2014 as part of a 35 city Commitment Day 5K fun walk/run event.

Commitment Day, a broad social movement created by Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company in 2013, will kick off its second year with tens of thousands across the nation committing to healthy eating, exercise, family, respect, giving and a healthy planet in 2014.

For more information or to register, visit commitmentday.com/portland/.

10 a.m.

Mount Tabor Park

The 3.1 mile course begins on the north west side of the park, just south of the parking area. Runners will head south down SE Salmon Way and then go left and follow Reservoir Loop which takes participants between the Lower Reservoir (City of Portland #6) to their right and the Upper Reservoir (City of Portland #5) on their left. When nearing the north end of the Loop, runners will head toward the Lower Reservoir and run along the east side of the water. Continuing back down the loop, runners head toward Reservoir #1 and circle the south of the water and then head north on SE East Tabor Drive. Racers will then complete a loop in the middle of the Park around the Mt. Tabor summit. The race ends as runners head north toward Mt. Tabor Drive and head west toward the race finish at the initial parking area.

Story angles leading up to Commitment Day include:

• Human interest – connect with us to learn more about how people in your community have committed to losing hundreds of pounds, overcoming MS, combating autism and more.
• Couch to 5K – a healthier life starts with a single step in the right direction
• How to prep for Commitment Day
• How to make and keep a New Year’s Commitment
• New Year, New You

Story angles day-of include:

• Thousands in the community toeing the start line to a healthier life
• Human interest – why they battled the cold to complete the Jan. 1 5K walk/run event
• Starting new traditions for you and your family
• Most common New Year’s Commitments – poll the crowd to hear what people are committing to in 2014
• New Year, New You