Run Supports National Mental Health Month
The ASICS Blue Jean Mile is an annual running event and awareness campaign where participants run a mile wearing blue jeans. The free event took place on May 19, where adult and youth runners took off from the store Run Newport in Long Wharf Mall. Subsequent and future mile runs are taking place all over the country in the month of May.
Launched in 2020 by ASICS athlete Johnny Gregorek to honor his late brother Patrick, the event raises funds for mental health initiatives, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Newport’s donation goal this year was $5,000.
In May 2020, professional middle distance runner Johnny Gregorek wanted to channel his brother’s lighthearted, humorous spirit while raising awareness for mental health. To symbolize the heavy, everyday challenges of mental health, he ran a mile in denim and broke the world record at the time, finishing in a blazing 4:06.25. Since then, what started as a tribute has evolved into an annual global movement celebrated during Mental Health Awareness Month.