Asics’ Blue Jean Mile Enters Its 5th Year in Raising Awareness for Mental Health

Blue Jean Genes

Five years ago, Asics athlete Johnny Gregorek had an idea: set the world record for running a mile in a pair of blue jeans. 

It wasn’t just an arbitrary thought; the goal had a purpose and a meaning behind it. 

The year before, Johnny lost his brother Paddy to a battle with mental illness, a devastating loss for the entire Gregorek family. To remember him, Johnny dreamt up the idea of the Blue Jean Mile, an event that he felt his brother would love if he were still alive. The event would serve to raise awareness for mental illness and funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of New York City.

Originally, Johnny wanted to raise $2,500. He blew past that initial goal and raised over $32,000, while becoming the fastest person ever to run a mile in blue jeans, finishing with a time of 4:06:25. The next year, with the support of Asics whose “Sound Mind, Sound Body” ethos aligns perfectly with the cause, the Blue Jean Mile raised over $40,000.

Since then, the event has continued to grow, with events all around the country. Here at Believe in the Run, we’ve participated in it as well (I actually ran a 5:46 in jeans on a hot May afternoon, which is still my second best time in the mile). It’s a great way to get out and do something fun and different, all while raising money for a good cause. 

To find an Asics Blue Jean Mile near you, check out the full schedule of events.

To learn more and give to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, visit their website at nami.com.