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Today is Global Running Day: “A day for people around the world to celebrate the joys of running. Participation is easy—just pledge to take part in some type of running activity on June 1, 2016. It can be a solo lap around the block, a long run with friends, or even a game of tag with your kids. The key is to share your passion for the sport and inspire others to get moving.”

So how are folks getting involved?

NBC's Today Show: “More than two million people all over the world have committed to run today, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations. Organized races have been planned from New York to Tokyo, and runners are taking today to celebrate the great sport that you can literally do anywhere, anytime.”

Further, as Today points out: “Not only is it easy to do and accessible for everyone — running is also one of the best forms of exercise out there. Running, or any other aerobic exercise, can improve our well-being and ease depression according to a recent study in the journal Cognition & Emotion. Another study found that running for even just five to 10 minutes a day, at a slow pace, can help to reduce risks of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes.”

In New York: “Here in the city, New York Road Runners is hosting a variety events, including open runs across the five boroughs starting at 7 p.m.,” reports NY 1. Said NYRR President and CEO Michael Capiraso: “Running is essential to pretty much everything you do. We really emphasize that with the kids. Kids runs for all their sports, soccer, baseball, football. So we figure we can get them out there running and get them fit to help them with all their other sports.”

Writes Bustle: “Global Running Day is also a day for everyone around the world to celebrate the joys of running. For those of you who think of running as physical torture, or who believe that a jog on the treadmill is about as exciting as watching paint dry, no, I’m not being sarcastic: running really can be fun.”

“According to the fourth annual Brooks Global Run Happy report, running rejuvenates creativity and improves your mood. In fact, 97 percent of runners surveyed reported that running makes their day better. Combine those statistics with the fact that running provides a crazy amount of health benefits, and I’m pretty convinced that everyone should be celebrating by running today.”