Lace up your running shoes and get ready to celebrate -- Sunday, November 8 is World Run Day 2009!

World Run Day was conceptualized in 1999 by veteran runner Bill McDermott, who told Active.com, "The idea was an international day of charity, built around running. I thought if we could just focus on one day, wouldn't that be great for all of us?" The first actual World Run Day was the following year, and after September 11, 2001, McDermott refocused his energy into the holiday to make it something people all over the world could take part in.

The idea of World Run Day is that, rather than having to run in a specific organized event to raise money for a cause, people can raise money and just go out for a run on their own. If you'd like to participate in a group event, Active.com has a list of World Run Day events near you.

A day just for running and helping charity that doesn't romanticize a marathon? Nobody can object to that!

Me, I love supporting a good cause. I suspect you do too. Here's one: World Run Day. It happens on November 11th, and it's a marathon. Well, kind of.

Here's the deal: You can run any distance you'd like (like a marathon or half marathon), anywhere in the world, all for a good cause -- a donation to the charity of your choice. You can recruit other runners in your area to join you, you can do it on your own, or you could even do a virtual run. Whatever your preference, the point is to get people together, to get running and to generate support for charitable giving. Registration to what just might be the biggest running event ever is $25, which also includes a t-shirt and a runner's bib with your name on it.

I think this sounds like an excellent idea -- I might just sign up! What about you?

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