Julia Sanders

Eclipse Fitness Group said goodbye to summer with the Farewell to Summer 5K, 10K and 15K on Sept. 2 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Between 300 and 400 runners showed up at the start line, ready for some friendly competition. To show its appreciation for first responders, Eclipse made the race free for all police, firefighters and EMTs.

Staff at Eclipse Fitness Group worked hard at the race by setting up a tent and table at the event. Runners had the opportunity to spin the wheel for prizes. Additionally, the runners who won first, second and third place received a swag bag full of goodies.

Around the same time as the race, Eclipse Fitness Group opened a new Planet Fitness^® location in Kennesaw. The club has 19,000 square feet and features an array of Black Card Spa amenities, including tanning beds and HydroMassage chairs. This race was the perfect way to get the community excited about the new club opening. 

Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) had more than 20,000 cyclists participate in this year’s event. The race, which was held July 21-27, included eight overnight destinations across Iowa. The participating cyclists biked 434 miles and climbed 18,375 feet throughout the event, making it the hilliest ride in the event’s 51-year history.

Baseline Fitness helped the cyclists cross the finish line with a bang by being the entertainment sponsor for the last stop of the ride in Burlington, Iowa, where the group has a Planet Fitness^® club. The sponsorship included the PF^® logo on the event website, as well as on the volunteer T-shirts, event signage, the RAGBRAI map and in its newsletter.

This was the group’s second year being involved with the cycling event. In 2023, Baseline Fitness worked with three towns on the cycling route and had staff set up a table and hand out PF-branded water and swag to the race participants. Similar to 2023, this year’s event was successful in helping fitness fanatics, and the participating cyclists were grateful for Baseline’s support.

“Burlington RAGBRAI was a huge success. It was amazing to welcome thousands of unique visitors to our riverfront and watch them dip their tires in the Mississippi River after trekking across the state on their bikes. The feedback and interactions from RAGBRAI riders and organizers were outstanding. Thank you for your support of the event,” said Melissa Jones, interim business engagement manager for the Greater Burlington Partnership.

Baseline Fitness partnered with Duluth Running Co. to put together another successful event. The Duluth Pike Lake Races in Duluth, Minnesota, included a 5K, 10K, a half marathon and a Kids Run. On June 1, around 2,000 race participants showed up with their game faces on to compete.  

Baseline Fitness didn’t have anyone on-site at the event, but they did donate a pallet of PF^®-branded water to be handed out at the finish line, ensuring runners were well hydrated. The franchise was a supporting sponsor of the event. It was the group’s first time supporting the event, but it was not its first time supporting Duluth Running Co. Previously, Baseline Fitness worked with Duluth Running Co. on the Gobble Gallop race during Thanksgiving. The franchise plans to work with the organization again on future races.