Performance Health supports Run It Forward’s southern pursuit

March 28, 2014 — Performance Health, manufacturer and marketer of Biofreeze, TheraBand, Cramer, and Perform health and wellness products, sponsored the March 2014 Run It Forward (RIF) tour. A donation of Biofreeze, TheraBand, Cramer, and Perform products supported the runners’ training, performance, and recovery needs during the 15-day event. RIF educates America’s underserved youth on the benefits of staying physically and mentally healthy, and the impact it can have on their education.

Focused on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the RIF tour impacted schools that were pummeled by Hurricane Katrina and have yet to recover. The 1,500-mile trek began March 2 in Orlando, Fla., and finished at Port Isabelle, Texas on March 16. Each day, after individually running between eight and 18 miles, the RIF team stopped at underserved schools and presented an assembly on empowerment and wellness with the message of “I’m possible vs. impossible.”

Inspirational presentations were given by RIF founder, former Oakland Raiderette and ultra runner Erika Small; motivational speaker, author, and ultra runner Jason Harper; and Grammy nominated rock star from the band Papa Roach and RIF participant Jacoby Shaddix. Following the assembly, the team hosted a 3K Fun Run for the students and provided the schools with a self-contained after school program called Project FIT.

“Run It Forward brings together amazing people who are passionate about health, fitness and the well-being of kids. We are extremely proud of this unique running event that showcases the benefits of staying healthy,” stated RIF participant Mike Cicero, PT, Wellfit Group. “We also take pride in being an organization that is run 100 percent by volunteers. This means that all of the monies invested go directly to raising awareness and resources for underserved schools. Our success truly stems from partnering with great companies like Performance Health.

“After hours of running on hurricane-ravaged roads, Biofreeze, Cramer, TheraBand, and Perform products made it possible for us to continue day after day and to deliver on what we promised … hope,” continued Cicero. “Their extensive and extraordinary assortment of products truly made the seemingly impossible, possible for us. The team could not have recovered without the use of Performance Health products.”

Throughout the 15 days, the runners used many Cramer products (compression sleeves, kinesiology tape, Atomic Balm, knee braces, and anti-friction balm) for performance enhancement. To enhance recovery, they used the TheraBand Roller Massager+ and Cramer Cool Towels. To manage pain and treat injury, they relied on Biofreeze (clinical topical analgesic), TheraBand, Cramer, and Perform (consumer retail topical analgesic) products including Biofreeze 360 Spray, TheraBand Stretch Straps and Foot Rollers, Perform Pain Relieving Singles, and Cramer Blisterderm and Blisterfoam. All the donated products stayed organized during the trip in Cramer durable athletic trainer kits.

“Performance Health now owns a number of different brands that come together in a full spectrum of athlete support. It wasn’t surprising to hear that the RIF team relied on a number of our products and regularly used Biofreeze Pain Reliever before, during and after runs in conjunction with rolling their legs with the TheraBand Roller Massager+.” added Ethan Pochman, vice president, U.S. clinical, Performance Health. “We are proud of these elite runners and inspired by their commitment to making a difference.”

Source: Performance Health