Buick and MapMyFitness Deliver 'Runs Worth the Drive'

DETROIT--June 24, 2014: Last year, users of MapMyFitness apps ran more than 500 million miles in the United States. In a recent survey, 71 percent of those users said they drove to a specific location to start their workouts, which means Americans are constantly looking for new, challenging and more scenic routes.

Now, Buick is partnering with MapMyFitness, an Under Armour company, for the nationwide “Runs Worth the Drive Challenge” to help runners find, record and share their favorite routes, while also learning how vehicles like the Buick Verano fit into an active lifestyle.

Buick is the first automaker to partner with MapMyFitness to create a challenge.

“We know personal lifestyle activities play an important role in the decision process when consumers are shopping for a new vehicle,” said Sandra Moore, Buick marketing director. “This challenge provides a fun opportunity for us to help MapMyFitness members share their passion with the community and at the same time see how the Verano is ideally suited for them.”

“Based on a recent survey within our MapMyFitness community, 87 percent of members choose and purchase vehicles to fit their active lifestyles,” said Robin Thurston, President at MapMyFitness. “The interests of our users and the Buick Verano attributes make the ‘Runs Worth the Drive Challenge’ an ideal avenue to reach and motivate fitness audiences for both companies.”

The Buick Verano Turbo is ideal for runners living in urban areas. It is compact, which makes it easy to park in smaller spaces, and the interior has been tested for resistance against the effects of sweat, sun, sunscreen and bug sprays. The luxury sedan is equipped with a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, making it more powerful and faster than many of its competitors, including the Lexus IS250, Acura ILX and Audi A3. The Verano ensures a comfortable, yet quick drive to and from the trail.

Beginning June 26, “Runs Worth the Drive Challenge” participants must log five miles of running per week, for six weeks. The competition will be tracked on a virtual leaderboard on MapMyFitness.com, where progress will be measured in real-time and weekly prizes will be awarded. Runs of at least five minutes will be logged automatically into a participant’s profile and count toward the ultimate goal of running 30 miles in six weeks.

Participants who accomplish that goal will be entered into the grand prize drawing for an all-expense paid trip to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & Half-Marathon in Phoenix, Ariz.

To learn more about and join the Buick “Runs Worth the Drive Challenge,” visit Buick Fitness Challenges.

All workouts can be recorded through the award-winning MapMyFitness mobile applications available on iOS and Android.