Approximately 500 University of Southern California students donned red togas for a 0.9 mile run to kick off awareness of the second annual Nike+ Human Race—a worldwide, multi-city event (slated for Oct. 24) celebrating the sport of running by giving runners everywhere the opportunity to run together.
It all started back in June when Asics’ elite marathoner Ryan Hall traveled to the company’s training and research center in Kobe, Japan to undergo testing and evaluation to construct a custom pair of running for the ING New York City Marathon on November 1. Seven experts were involved in the measurement and evaluation of Hall’s feet, legs, strength, flexibility, speed and impact.
As New York City prepared to host runners from all over the world last weekend, Asics hosted a pre-marathon run through Central Park on Friday, led by Olympian marathoner and U.S. record-holder Deena Kastor and her coach Terrence Mahon. After a light three-mile loop around the park, runners were treated to a breakfast pep talk with Mahon and Kastor, along with fellow Olympian Ryan Hall, who opted to stay off his feet that morning to rest up for Sunday’s 26.2 miles.
Saucony unveiled its brand-new ViZiPRO collection of running gear at a panel discussion in New York last week, detailing how the highly reflective microfiber apparel and accessories are designed to keep runners seen and safe in any season, day or night. The ViZiPRO collection includes jackets, vests, sport tops, headgear and hand gear for men and women in the trademark fluorescent orange color meant for maintaining an eye-opening luminescent and reflective surface for increased visibility of athletes.
Birkenstock and its original recovery shoe move into the outdoor and specialty running channels.
That’s Gary Weiner (at right, No. 10), president of Saxon Shoes in Richmond, VA, getting ready to run in the first-ever Saxon Shoes High Heel Dash in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and its effort to raise funds and awareness in its fight against breast cancer.
Anthony L&S Footwear, makers of FUBU, Levi’s and Phat Farm labels among others, in partnership with the Weisfeld Group, has aquired the Etonic brand from Lotto Sport Italia. Meridian Capital, a Seattle-based investment bank, served as Lotto’s exclusive financial and strategic advisor on the transaction.
Brooks Running has a lot to celebrate: Not only is the Berkshire Hathaway-owned company turning 100, it just hit a major business goal ahead of schedule, reporting half a billion dollars in global revenue on a rolling 12-month basis as of April 2014. “It’s extremely exciting to reach a business milestone of this magnitude,” says Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks Running Company. “We knew a commitment to putting the runner first and creating both fantastic product and a memorable experience for them was a big idea–a billion dollar idea.
Jenni Peters, owner of Varsity Sports, tells us what’s hot in South Louisiana.
A once in a lifetime fusion of fitness and music shout down the streets of L.A. on Tuesday, March 24th.
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