That’s the question Mizuno Running posed to MBA students at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School.

The analysis brought interesting figures to light for the U.S., including:

• $130 billion in health care savings
• An increase of more than $47 billion to the national GDP, with lost productivity due to sick days reduced by 50 percent, from 2.3 percent to 1.5 percent.
• Nearly 2 billion pounds of total weight loss
• 10 percent increase in household earning potential
• 5 million fewer hospital visits
• 7 billion more hours spent outdoors
• 18.7 percent fewer divorces annually, and 29.3 million happier marriages.
• 10 percent improvement in self-esteem among kids.
• 200 million inches lost from waistlines.
• 116,000 fewer hip replacements annually.
• 48.1 million fewer cigarettes smoked daily.
• 63 million happier dogs (because many running dog owners would take their pets for jogs, too).
• 135 million fewer hours of TV watched each week, and 14 billion fewer hours spent online each year.
• 135 million more bananas consumed.
•  $4 billion increase in donations to charities

The “What If Everybody Ran” site – www.ifeverybodyran.com – takes individuals on a running journey to see the potential of a world of runners. The campaign anthem video, “What If Everybody Ran” campaign poster (above)  and the analysis white paper further highlight the findings and reasons for Americans to run.

I wish I had these stats when I was on vacation in Florida. My friends whom I love dearly are not very active (well, not active at all) and overweight.  When we were waiting for my race to begin, my friend repeated several times: “This just isn’t my cup of tea.” I know she preferred to be out having a drink rather than waiting for me to run a 5K evening race.

My hubby who is not a runner (but plays tennis) normally does not defend my running.  In fact, I know he thinks I am crazy but actually said: I MAY TRY TO RUN A RACE!! A SHORT ONE.”

I was shocked.  I thought that he was just trying to make me feel better.  But he said he would do one with me.

I call this major progress!

At the time, I was a little upset at how unsupportive my friend was but when everyone’s phones were dead, her hubby ran back to the car to get my camera to take this photo:

And then when we got home, she took out champagne to toast my award.

Happy Running! Are you non-running friends supportive of your running?  Does your hubby run with you?