Nike Tackles Aids

In a move hailed by AIDS advocates, Nike is featuring an ad of a marathon runner who learned he had the AIDS virus in 1987.

Nike began running the ad featuring Los Angeles runner Ric Munoz earlier this month.

Advocates of HIV-positive people say the campaign can help remove the stigma that the disease carries by portraying those who have it in an everyday light.

The 30-second commercial shows Munoz, an admitted homosexual, running through Malibu Canyon State Park in Los Angeles. As the scenery changes, captions say: “Rick Munoz, Los Angeles; 80 miles every week; 10 marathons every year; HIV positive; Just Do It.”

Although doctors have warned Munoz that long-distance running could endanger his health, he said he chose to continue doing it because running is what makes him happy.