Running Quote for the Week: The Roads are Always Open

"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open."

-From a 1990 Nike advertisement

One of my all time favorite running quotes from a time when Nike was known for innovative advertising that seemed about changing world perceptions of sport than simply selling shoes.

We sometimes forget that running is one of the most elementary and lost-costs sports in the world.  It requires no special training, expensive equipment, or exclusive facilities.  Lace up your shoes, go outside and you're a runner.   Look around at your next race and notice the diversity of runners.  And while running is a lot about breaking down barriers of mind and body from within, running also breaks down barriers of sex, race, nationality and economic status imposed upon us from society.
Perhaps the best thing about running is the stop watch plays no favorites.

Numerous Raffle Prizes Await Beer Runners at the 3rd Annual SF Beer Week Beer Run



Photo used by permission of Bryan Kolesar of www.brewlounge.com

As if going for a run in Golden Gate Park and then enjoying a great beer at a dollar discount from Social Kitchen and Brewery wasn't enough, they'll be plenty of prizes to win in the 3rd Annual SF Beer Week Beer Run post-run charity raffle to benefit  Autism Speaks and the Contra Costa Food Bank in honor of beer writer Bill Brand.   The run starts February 12th, 2012 at 11:00 am, beginning and ending at Social Kitchen and Brewery, 1326 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122. Click here for location.

The generous response from both the brewing and running community has been overwhelming, and we're pleased to announce the following prizes they've made available to several lucky participants.

Social Kitchen and Brewery, which is hosting this official SF Beer Week event will provide a $50 gift certificate to a lucky winner.

On the Run Shoes, located just down the street from Social Kitchen, will provide a pair of Brooks running shoes.

Adventure Sports Journal will provide "Earn Your Beer" t-shirts and other swag.

Additional running gear prizes will be provided by Nike.

Beer run co-founders Bryan Kolesar and Brian Yeager were able to scare up prizes from breweries from their respective cities of Philadelphia and Portland, with the following breweries have denoted prizes in the form of glassware, clothing, trinkets, and yes, beer.

Participating East Coast Breweries
Harpoon (Boston)
Ommegang/Duvel (Upstate NY /  Belgium)
Philadelphia Brewing Co. (Philly)
Dock Street (Philly)
Sly Fox (Philly 'burbs):
Troegs (Pa.)
Iron Hill (Pa. NJ, Del.)
Victory (Philly 'burbs)
Participating Portland Area Breweries
BridgePort
Laurelwood
Migration
Widmer Bros.

And Trumer Brauerei of Berkeley, CA will be throwing in some Frisbees.

Raffle ticket are a dollar each, five dollars will get you 6 tickets, and $20 will get you 25 tickets.

In the words of the late Bill Brand, "I'll see you there."