Nike Run Hit Wonder Race Returns for 2005 National Tour Stops Include New York, Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Lead All-Star Line-up NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On your mark, Get set, ROCK. The Nike Run Hit Wonder is back for another tour, and this year, the bands featured have staying power -- much like the race itself, which has proved to be much more than a "one" hit wonder. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO ) Coming off a sell-out tour in 2004, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts lead an all-star line-up that includes The Donnas, Fountains of Wayne, Nina Sky, DJ Z-Trip and Chingy. Thousands of runners will rock the 5-mile (New York) and 5K/10K (Portland, LA & Chicago) Run Hit Wonder races while they run to the sounds "I Love Rock N' Roll," "Take It Off," and "Stacy's Mom." The Nike Run Hit Wonder taps into the unifying force between music and athletes in training and has created a cult following of fitness runners that celebrate a common love of running to music. The tour kicks off in New York City's Central Park on July 20th, and then continues on to Portland (July 24), Chicago (Sept. 13) and Los Angeles (Sept. 24). "With Nike Run Hit Wonder we've created a unique event that brings together runners of all levels to participate in a race featuring well-known bands," said Joaque Hidalgo, Vice President of Nike US Brand Management. "There is such a big connection between music and running -- and the race has sold out in every city we've been to -- so it only made sense to bring it back for a third year. It's started to become a real tradition and something that all runners now look forward to." To encourage preparation for the events in each city, Nike is hosting training runs to allow runners to maximize their training, socialize with fellow runners and test-drive the newest performance Nike running gear. Led by professional running coaches, participants will benefit from expert running advice and pace groups as well as complimentary food and beverages. In New York and Portland, training runs will begin on June 6th and June 13th respectively; and in Chicago and Los Angeles, on July 25th and August 13th. Training runs will be complemented by entertainment from local DJs and prizes ranging from free Run Hit Wonder registration to new Nike running products. Trainees will have opportunities to try out the new Nike Shox Cog and Nike Shox Go, Nike Sphere Apparel and Triax Series watches. All registrants will also receive a custom designed Nike Run Hit Wonder Dri-FIT T-shirt. As part of the main event in each city, finisher medals will be provided to all participants. In addition, the overall female and male winners as well as the winner of the wheelchair race will receive a Fender Squier Stratocaster(R) guitar. NikeGO, Nike's national community affairs program commitment to getting youth physically active, will also donate 500 race entries to local youth groups in NY, Portland and Chicago and 1000 race entries in LA to promote health and fitness to those in the community. In addition, NikeGO will also donate $100,000 to support Portland Park & Rec programs to get kids active. For more information on the race, training runs and to register, visit http://www.nikerunhitwonder.com/ or call 1-877-4-RUNHIT. About Nike, Inc. NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan (R), which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. NikeGO NikeGO is Nike's signature U.S. community affairs initiative and the company's long-term commitment to getting kids more physically active. The program's mission is to increase physical activity in youth ages 8-15, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. Nike committed more than $10 million last year in cash and products to get kids moving and targets to increase that amount in the current year through programs such as PE2GO. Visit http://www.nikego.com/ for additional information. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc. CONTACT: Ilana Finley, +1-503-671-6734, or Rob Aldinger, +1-212-367-4438, both of Nike, Inc.; or Anna Schneider of Fleishman Hillard, +1-312-751-3522, for Nike, Inc. Web site: http://www.nikebiz.com/ http://www.nikerunhitwonder.com/

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