Moving Comfort, manufacturer of women's high performance athletic wear, has announced the first recipients of their Women's Beginner Fitness Grant Program grants.

"The purpose of the Women's Beginner Fitness Grant Program is to help create or support existing grassroots running and walking programs that encourage or set an example for women to get fit," said Moving Comfort President, Ellen Wessel.

"Organizations receiving grants will work closely with local Moving Comfort retailers in promoting and conducting the programs," she added.

"At a time when many organizations are feeling the stress from sponsor cutbacks, we are pleased to be able to offer assistance in this way to 12 worthy programs," said Wessel. The initial recipients are:

Name -- Retail Partners

Fast Tracks -- The Running Place (Newtown Square, PA)
Girls on the Run -- Fleet Feet (Chicago, IL), Runner's Edge (Libertyville, IL)
Howard County Striders -- Feet First (Columbia, MD)
The Iguanas -- See Jane Run (San Francisco, CA)
Jersey Shore Running Club -- Miles Ahead Sports (Manasquan, NJ)
Living Promises -- Running Wild (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Lynx Elite Athletes -- George and Phillips (Exeter, NH)
Mercy Academy -- Ken Combs Running Center (Louisville, KY)
Rungazelle.com -- Gazelle Sports (Grand Rapids, MI)
Spartanburg Running Club -- Fleet Feet (Greenville, SC)
Valley Forge Striders -- Runner's Edge (Paoli, PA)
Women Run Arkansas Run/Walk Club -- The Sporty Runner (Conway,AR)

Moving Comfort, a division of Russell Corporation, designs and markets women's high performance athletic wear. The company was founded in 1977 by two female long distance runners who got tired of running in men's clothes. The brand is distributed nationwide through sporting goods, outdoor, travel and running specialty retailers. Ellen Wessel and Elizabeth Goeke, president and executive vice president, continue to lead the company. For more information about Moving Comfort, please visit www.movingcomfort.com.