In West Palm Beach, the Celis Run Club didn’t let a day of rain dampen their spirits as they celebrated Global Running Day. The club’s weekly Wednesday 5K coincided with the international event, drawing runners of all levels to the Great Lawn in Downtown West Palm Beach.

Global Running Day, observed on the first Wednesday of June, is a worldwide celebration of running. Alex Celis, founder of Celis Run Club and Celis Juice Bar, emphasized the communal aspect of the sport. ‘It’s just a special day because it’s bringing communities together around the sport of running, which is a sport that’s helped me a lot mentally, physically, spiritually because running is really a lone sport and it’s also extremely communal; that’s why run clubs are very popular right now,’ Celis shared.

The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including half-marathoners, marathoners, ultra-marathoners, casual runners, joggers, and even first-timers. They gathered to stretch and run, enjoying the camaraderie and the opportunity to engage with their community.

Aba Boutros, a sports chiropractor and founder of Endro Clinic in West Palm Beach, highlighted the holistic benefits of running. ‘Running is so important, not just for the cardiovascular physical health but also the mental health as well too. Running means so much because it allows you to explore your city, see nature, engage with other people, and just push yourself to do hard things every day while still getting physically in shape, and that your heart is staying healthy and that you’re using your body because your body is meant to move,’ Boutros explained.

Since its founding in 2020, Celis Run Club has been growing steadily, fostering a community of runners who find joy and health benefits in the sport. The club’s celebration of Global Running Day is a testament to the positive impact of running on both individuals and the community as a whole.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.