25 May USA Track & Field Foundation releases free mobile Run With US! exer-game app
INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Foundation is excited to announce the release of its free mobile game application, “Run With US!” announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld. The Run With US! game is a collaboration of the USATF Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University and EA Sports. It is designed to promote exercise to youth through its unique track & field components while featuring USATF Foundation grantee athletes.
The physical exer-game was created by a group of students participating in a premiere graduate program at the Entertainment Technology Center at CMU that focuses on interactive entertainment. The USATF Foundation was fortunate to be a part of this groundbreaking program, which allows the graduate students new and challenging concepts to work on while giving back to the community in a way that will leave lasting impressions and healthy habits.
The Run With US! application was created as an extension of the USATF Foundation’s Run With US! Program. Run With US! uses American heroes — our track & field athletes — to inspire kids to get fit, make healthy choices and set and achieve their goals. As part of the program, track & field Olympians and Olympic hopefuls visit schools and community centers, where they teach kids track & field skills and talk about the importance of fitness, nutrition, and making positive choices.
The application will serve as an extension of the Run With US! program allowing kids an outlet to continue to get active long after the athlete has visited their town. The game app is hosted by four of the USATF Foundation 2016 grantees: Joe Kovacs (shot put), Morgan Uceny (1500m), Barbara Nwaba (heptathlon), and Michael Hartfield (long jump). These athletes will inspire kids to succeed within the game and accomplish new goals and levels. They guide the players through this alternative track world where you physically have to stand up to run and jump with your device. The game has received great feedback statements exclaiming it’s fun and competitive, yet tiring and a true workout. Additionally the game allows for kids creative juices to take over with the ability to create your own levels and challenge friends to complete the various missions.
“We were fortunate to have such special talents helping us improve our youth program through this new and innovative mobile exer-game. We are very impressed with how the team was able to take the elements of athletics and turn it into a fun space for exercise. The app far exceeded expectations and we look forward to it inspiring the next generation of track & field athletes,” stated Board Director Joe Fabris.
The app is currently available for free to download onto IOS or Android devices.