Running Insight 7.1.17 by Running Insight

THE NEWSMAGAZINE FOR RUNNING SPECIALTY RETAILERS / RUNNINGINSIGHT.COM

FLEET FEETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW CEO g rin gy. u t lo fea hno , ite ec gn ing t I ma ac Pu tfit l Ne

BEST STORE AWARDS REVAMPED HOW TO SELL TECH IN A RUNNING STORE PRESENTING SPONSORS

JULY 1, 2017 VOL. 9 NO. 12 361usa.com

bodyglide.com

balega.com

pro-tecathletics.com

nathansports.com

spenco.com

A CONVERSATION WITH JOEY POINTER

FLEET FEET’S NEW CEO “We’re excited about the future.”

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Jeff Nott ...................................jnott@formula4media.com Jeff Gruenhut..................jgruenhut@formula4media.com Christina Henderson.... chenderson@formula4media.com Katie O’Donohue .........kodonohue@formula4media.com Sam Selvaggio.............. sselvaggio@formula4media.com Daemon Filson.....................dfilson@formula4media.com

Editor-in-Chief ........ Mark Sullivan: msullivan@formula4media.com Managing Editor ............ Cara Griffin: cgriffin@formula4media.com Publisher.....................Troy Leonard: tleonard@formula4media.com BACK ISSUES runninginsight.com

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Photo: https://www.fleetfeetsports.com/corporate/team/joey-pointer

RUNNING INSIGHT® is a registered trademark of Formula4Media, LLC. © 2017 all rights reserved. Running Insight is published twice each month, is edited for owners and top executives at running specialty stores and available only via email.The opinions by authors and contributors to Running Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Articles appearing in Running Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Formula4Media, LLC, P.O. Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023. Tel: 516-305-4709.

hen new Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer stepped up to the stage of the franchisor’s summer meeting last week, he said “I’ve been waiting 15 years for this.” Pointer joined Fleet Feet in 2004, so his math was off by a little, but his sentiments were not. Pointer considers himself a Fleet Feet lifer who has visited 100+ stores, slept on the couches of franchisees and who is now in charge of the country’s largest group of run specialty stores. Fleet Feet now has 165 stores in 38 states, including 35 corporately-owned locations. Pointer took over as interim CEO when Jeff Phillips left earlier this year and Pointer had the “interim” removed about a month ago. That move has been well received by Fleet Feet store owners and major brand executives, who credit Pointer for being open minded to new ideas and empowering his team in North Carolina. “When I joined the business, we had maybe five employees,” recalled Pointer. “Our bigger stores all had more employees than we did. And as CFO, I could do my job in about 15 hours a week.” So, Pointer began visiting stores and building relationships with franchisees which is proving to be a big help to him in his new role. “Retail in general is facing some real

Fleet Feet’s New CEO (continued) Photos: https://www.fleetfeetsports.com/catalogs/franchise, /www.fleetfeetsports.com/catalogs/leadership-development-program

Thus far in 2017, Fleet Feet comp store sales are up .9% according to Pointer, with overall sales up 3%.

“People want to be inspired to be healthy and active.” “Retail in general is facing some real headwinds.”

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headwinds,” he told Running Insight, “and we are cognizant of that. But at the same time, we’re excited about the future.” The main advantage that run stores have over other retailers, according to Pointer, is that “we can create customers. People want to be inspired to be healthy and active and running is a core aspect of any healthy exercise routine.” Clearly, Fleet Feet will continue its Couch to 5K and No Boundaries Programs to “create customers,” but Pointer also wants to see his stores focus more on execution and cost controls. “It’s no secret that stores will have to do more with less in the coming years,” said Pointer. For Fleet Feet, he said that may mean stores with smaller footprints and fewer employees that are not “customer facing.” “Over the past few years, running stores have grown from 1500 square feet to 3,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet,” he said. “We need to be selective in the sites and sizes we’re looking at to make sure the stores are best positioned to be profitable. 1,000 square feet is too small to host a spike night, but we don’t want the stores too big either.” Along those lines, Fleet Feet Inc. is expanding its distribution center in North Carolina to service

its stores with regular replenishment shipments on key accessory items. This fall key footwear styles from On Running will also be shipped from the corporate DC, making the Swiss shoe brand the first non-accessory item to be included in the program. Thus far in 2017, Fleet Feet comp store sales are up .9% according to Pointer, with overall sales up 3%. Fleet Feet has opened seven stores this year and has another seven in the pipeline. Fleet Feet Inc. is also continuing to look at converting existing independents to its franchised model. “It’s difficult to be a single door out there now,” Pointer said. “Our pitch to those stores is that we can support them with technology, marketing and vendor programs that are better for them than what they could accomplish on their own in most cases.” Pointer said Fleet Feet has no regrets about passing on the JackRabbit Sports sell off by Finish Line earlier this year. “We have very different cultures and business models,” Pointer said. “We had no interest in taking over a business where we would have to close stores and wind down leases. But competing with them will make us better. I’m intensely competitive and like to win.” n

#DarnTough

THE

RUNNING SERIES

taking aim at TECH The Polar M430 is a running watch with wrist-based heart rate and GPS.

EIGHT Ways

to Promote & Sell Tech Products in a Running Store.

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all it the RadioShackification of running retail. With the ever-accelerating rollout of activity trackers, smart apparel and connected footwear alongside channel stalwarts like GPS units and heart rate monitors, technology has moved from running retail novelty to marketplace mainstay, especially so given the proliferation of fitness apps often intertwined with these products. To wit, Sensoria has developed a smart shoe in collaboration with Vivobarefoot that tracks data points such as speed, pace, cadence, time on ground and foot landing technique, while Under Armour continues to champion an expanding lineup of Record Equipped footwear, New Balance touts its new RunIQ smartwatch and brands like Garmin, TomTom and Polar unveil innovative fitness products. While exciting, the surging ubiquity of technology in the running marketplace from familiar brand names as well as upstart players can be overwhelming for consumers and retailers alike. But it can be profitable, too. “There’s big upside [to selling tech in the run specialty channel] because a large percentage of the running population is not currently using these devices,” says Stan Brajer, senior vice

president of sales and marketing with Polar US. Yet more, Brajer contends, many onceprevalent concerns about technology in the run specialty channel have evaporated: prices have decreased; accuracy and ease of use have improved; function has merged with style; and non-techie consumers have become increasingly receptive to gadgetry. “Many of the old obstacles have been taken out of the equation,” Brajer says. With Silicon Valley sensibilities increasingly plunging into the running marketplace, how can running retailers and their teams best introduce, explain and sell tech products to consumers? Tip #1: Highlight tech during the sit-and-fit shoe experience The sit-and-fit footwear experience is a prime opportunity to introduce any number of solutions that exist in the store, including technology. Customer replies to a simple question such as, “How do you track your mileage?” can produce a wealth of valuable information to drive sales. “The better you understand what drove the customer to the store and the more you understand his or her needs, the better you can recommend solutions and know which levers to pull,” Fleet Feet Sports senior brand manager Victor Ornelas says.

Taking Aim at Tech (continued) “Use the product. You’ll be able to testify to the features and benefits more easily if you’ve actually ran with it before.” ANDY BECKMAN, GARMIN

“Whenever possible, help the customer get initiated with the product and its core functions.” VICTOR ORNELAS, FLEET FEET SPORTS

Garmin’s Fenix 5 watch features Elevate wrist heart rate technology.

Tip #2: Ditch the techspeak Rattling off a product’s vast capabilities and relying on technical jargon can confuse and intimidate customers. That’s why Ornelas urges associates to focus on Joe Jogger and tone down the tech talk. “Manage the information and simplify the language so it is relevant and meaningful to the customer,” Ornelas says. Tip #3: Gain first-hand experience Many tech brands, including Polar and Garmin, will seed product or share loaners for store use. This can help store personnel as well as key influencers like local coaches or fun run leaders gain direct experience with a given product that they can then promote to others. “Use the product,” says Andy Beckman, director of sales at Garmin. “You’ll be able to testify to the features and benefits more easily if you’ve actually ran with it before.” Brajer also suggests letting as many customers as possible put their hands on product and fiddle around with a unit’s features, albeit with some basic guidance from staff. “Sometimes people are apprehensive with technology, but you can get them over that initial learning curve by sharing the product and letting them see for themselves how easy it is to use and interpret,” he says. Tip #4: Coach up staff Sharing information with staff – product reviews, instructional videos and training available on sites like Experticity – arms staff with knowledge of key product features and also spotlights the type of content customers are reviewing themselves before a big-ticket purchase. Ornelas also champions regular coaching on the sales floor. He suggests taking 10 minutes a day to gather staff around a particular tech product and having the team share product information and selling tips amongst one another. “Help staff get comfortable talking about these products and why one might be more applicable than another,” Ornelas says. Tip #5: Tout the benefits

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The tech age has made today’s lives easier and more efficient in so many ways, and so it can be with fitness technology as well. A GPS unit, for instance, allows runners to track key stats such as pace and distance to better monitor training and inform future plans. Taken next level, the Garmin Connect platform can drive social connections, as a store, running club or group of friends can share a plotted course in advance of a run or arrange group challenges. “These types of things build the community that help running stores thrive,” Beckman says. Tip #6: Wear the devices A simple trick Ornelas employs: whenever he’s on the sales floor, he wears tech product – the bigger and bolder, the better. “That can attract attention and spark conversation,” he says, adding that staff using tech products reminds customers that these devices can be a valuable part of their running journey as well. Tip #7: Provide quick tutorials to customers Quite often, Ornelas says, user error sparks a return. The customer, for example, goes home and has trouble connecting his GPS device or struggles “personalizing” the product with his information. Whenever possible, help the customer get initiated with the product and its core functions. Not only does this preempt a return, Ornelas says, but it also positions the running store as a customer-centric hub wise to the products its sells. Tip #8: Appoint a store tech ambassador Just about every running store in the U.S. has staff who geek out certain product categories. When that’s the case with technology, Ornelas suggests empowering that individual to be the store’s category leader. Provide them access to vendors, he says, and task them to create simple sell sheets for colleagues. “Staff can also turn to these category leaders when they don’t know the answer to a customer’s question, which can save the sale,” Ornelas says. n © 2017 Formula4media LLC.

T O TA L S U P P O R T ® I N S O L E S ORIGINAL

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Most rigid replacement insoles offer some motion control and stability but that’s where the similarity ends. Spenco® Total Support® Insoles feature our patented 3-POD™ Modulation System. By positioning pods with varying degrees of hardness beneath key areas of the foot, Total Support® Insoles change the ground forces reaching the foot during activity. This tunes the ride for increased performance and superior comfort while helping to reduce overpronation–a common problem that causes foot, leg and back pain.

I GR

TELL CUSTOMERS YOUR STORY

ou’re a kid. Tucked into bed. A heavy, warm comforter nestling you in place. Soft pillow under your head. Someone, a family member or maybe a babysitter, sits on the edge of the mattress and reads to you. Holds the book just right so you can see each detailed illustration. You know the book well—if a single word is missed or a sentence skipped, you call it out. As that last page turns and the reader intonates the final words, your response is always the same. “Again!” you say. “Read it again!” And when they do, you are equally entertained by the same old story you’ve heard a thousand times before. This is what a good story does. It draw us in and makes us feel something. And when it’s told well, we can’t stop thinking about it. There’s an obvious difference between a forgettable and memorable in-store story. One is cliché, status quo, and unstimulating. It gets the job done, but it’s forgettable. The more desirable narrative is well-crafted and thoughtful. It respects the recipient and offers unexpected, yet thrilling, twists and turns. It is told each time as if it were the first time. Same enthusiasm. Same level 10

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AGAIN! of intentionality and authenticity. As specialty retail storytellers, you cannot afford to tell a lackluster tale. Your purposeful delivery must leave customers, employees, and community partners begging for more. Weave these three basic qualities of good storytelling into your brand experience:

Share Your Why Anyone affiliated with your store is innately connected to your why. It’s the magnet that attracts and retains brand advocates of all sorts. Your why is the foundation of the overall brand experience. Make sure you consistently share your motivation for doing what you do. More than inventory, store layout, or weekday events, it’s your why that makes you wildly interesting. Show Vulnerability The most memorable stories exhibit some degree of vulnerability— there’s a realness that transcends the entertaining aspects of the storyline. This can range from the authentic voice on your newsletters to your staff’s genuine willingness to customize each experience for the customer. Actively displaying this humble commitment

makes you more trustworthy, more persuasive, and more likable. Incorporate Body Language Without saying a word, you create a presence felt immediately by the customer. This presence conveys exactly what’s going on inside of you. It delivers your underlying degree of intentionality, confidence, and alacrity. Unexamined body language, lack of eye contact, and humdrum vocal patterns can send unintentional messages. Ask a fellow staffer to critique your less obvious story so you know what’s being said between the lines. Telling a good story may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s no easy task. It requires you to be self-aware — to honestly identify what you’re good at and what’s most challenging. It forces you to dial-in what you want, then take action in that direction. It asks you to believe in yourself. Only you know where your story starts. Figure this out and then start sharing it with élan. Everyone will want to hear it over and over. n Tom Griffen is a former running store owner who now runs a retail training business. He will be speaking this year at The Running Event in Austin.

It’s tough out there. Engineer to perform with TPU. Estane® TRX TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is making tracks as the innovative rubber replacement for outdoor, athletic and work shoe outsoles. Outsoles made from Estane TRX TPU provide: • Sustainability: Outsoles made with TPU can be recycled • Automation: Thermoplastic injection molding technology maximizes efficiency and minimizes production time • Performance: Engineered to endure tough conditions with well-balanced wet/dry surface traction and superior durability As the inventor of TPU, Lubrizol can help you get the most out of this advanced material. To learn more, contact us at engineeredpolymers@lubrizol.com or visit lubrizol.com/Engineered-Polymers/Markets/Footwear.html.

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NEW FORMAT FOR 2017

BEST STORE AWARDS

Running Insight has announced a revamped format for its annual Best Stores Awards. T his year, The Best Store Awards will recognize eight top stores for their achievements throughout 2017 in areas such as community support, runner development and outstanding customer service. “One of the most important aspects of The Running Event is to allow stores to share best practices with their colleagues and this year The Best Stores Awards will do precisely that,” said Mark Sullivan, editor of Running Insight. “By highlighting stores that have been leaders in marketing, community service and providing outstanding in-store experiences we hope to contribute to the educational aspect of TRE and provide ideas that stores can take home and implement in their own businesses.”

Awards will be presented in the following categories: Just Do It Award

Ubuntu Award

Presented by Nike to an outstanding woman executive in run specialty retail.

Presented by Balega Sports to a store that makes a tremendous difference in its community.

Never Stop Exploring Award

Other awards will include:

Presented by The North Face to a store that is extraordinary in getting athletes to get out and experience running in the outdoors.

• A store associate who went beyond the traditional standards of their job to offer outstanding service to a customer. • The run retailer that runs the best in-store event.

The Best Store Awards Ceremony Awards will be presented the night of Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 at The Hilton Austin during The Running Event.

• Best Multi-Door Run store: Presented to best operator with four or more doors. • Additional awards will be announced soon.

Nominations for ALL OF these awards should be submitted to Mark Sullivan at msullivan@formula4media.com The Running Event is owned by Formula4 Media, publishers of this newsletter. The Best Stores Awards are sponsored by Gatorade Endurance and Running Insight. 12

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Introducing

ALBERT The Revolutionary 3D Foot Scanner

Aetrex is bringing consumers back into stores with the launch of Albert, the revolutionary 3D foot scanner that creates a memorable in-store experience that no e-commerce site can match. Featuring over 5,000 sensors, 960 infrared LED’s and 18 digital cameras, Albert captures unparalleled data about your customers’ feet, enabling smarter footwear and orthotic buying decisions. Working in tandem with Aetrex’s Lynco orthotic line, Albert is tied to a unique business model that offers tremendous impact to your bottom line and proven consumer benefits.

Learn how you can get Albert for FREE! Call 800.526.2739 for more information

SPIbelt Takes Aim at Athleisure Market

xe Lu belt e I Th SP by

“Designed for the individual who is passionate about fitness.”

fter 10 years of providing the running and fitness community with compact and durable belts that allow wearers a handsfree way to carry their personal items while working out, SPIbelt is branching out into more fashionable, yet still functional items. The Austin, TX-based brand has launched the Luxe by SPIbelt, a belt that is “designed for the individual who is passionate about fitness, but also likes to look stylish while they sweat and are on the go.” The Luxe combines the same functionality and convenience that SPIbelt is known for, but with a sleeker look. It has a solid black waistband and pouch and high-gloss metallic details. The Luxe is available in three colorways—silver, gold, and gunmetal. The slim bounce-free pouch expands to 7” x 3” x 2” to fit all smart phones and other necessities. There is also a small pass-through hole in the back of the pouch to accommodate a headphone cord. The Luxe by SPIbelt retails for $34.99. n

Puma Launches New Lacing Tech with Ignite Netfit Puma has introduced Netfit, a customizable lacing system, in its latest performance trainer, the Ignite Netfit. The lacing system enables the user to have more control and versatility over how they lace up. The Ignite Netfit shoe also features Puma’s evoKNIT form fitting knit and the heel is reinforced by a TPU Heel clip, locking the heel into the platform of the shoe for stabilization. View the video to see the lacing system.

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Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse shows off Puma’s Netfit tech.

THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN REACHING YOUR GOAL TIME IS BEING

2UNDR

Experienced Running Execs Leave Under Armour

Dave Larson

more than 1 million pair globally and was regarded as the best and most commercial run shoe made by UA.

Larson joined UA in June 2016. Prior to that, he worked at Brooks from November 2003 until June 2015. His last role was SVP of product and marketing. He officially joined Under Armour after completing a oneyear non-compete agreement. Prior to joining Brooks, he held marketing posts for Nike, Reebok and the WTA Tour. Their departures were apparently separate and not related, but both were said to be frustrated by UAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structure, which did not allow them to contribute as they had hoped. Earlier this week, Under Armour announced a major

Fritz Taylor

re-structuring, hiring former VF and Aldo executive Patrik Frisk as President and CEO. Frisk will start on July 10. n

New Retail $29.95

NEW STEEL BLUE CONTOURED ROLLER AVAILABLE NOW 16

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ÂŠ 2017 Formula4media LLC.

Photo, Dave Larson: Credit Under Armour and Matt Ryb

ritz Taylor and Dave Larson, two experienced run executives hired by Under Armour to bolster the brand in the running footwear category, have left the company. Taylor joined Under Armour in March 2014 from Mizuno, where he was GM of Running. Prior to that he had been at Brooks for a short stint and prior to that had spent 19 years at Nike, where he was footwear director. At Under Armour, Taylor was credited with creating the Bandit running shoe, which has sold

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Adidas and ASU Team Up on Research and Innovation

didas is partnering with Arizona State University to create the Global Sports Alliance, an “elevated partnership” that Adidas North America president Mark King said would leverage the resources of both ASU and Adidas to drive research and innovation. “Thinking about the world through the lens of sport” is how King describes the multidisciplinary, multi-year partnership. “We want to use the resources that Arizona State has, which is scientists and researchers and the School of Sustainability, and the resources that we have, which

is thousands of athletes, our Advance Technology Group, and all of our development team, and say, What interesting research can we do about the world of sport? What innovations can we look at? What’s the impact of sport on society, on education and education on sport, on diversity and race, on fan experience, on sustainability?” “We have a common commitment to having a realtime, positive impact on the world and we see the power of sport to influence human success,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a release. According to King, the project grew out of

conversations with Crow after the University signed with Adidas in 2014. King declined to say exactly how much of an investment the sports brand was making in the partnership, characterizing it as “a significant investment from both sides,” although he noted, “given the size of our company, it was very affordable.” The partnership’s mandate is broad. Per King, it covers research on materials and innovations, on biomechanics and athlete performance, on social issues including on the role of race in sport and fan experience, and on sustainability and product

supply chain issues. And King said the goal is to share their findings broadly Part of the Alliance includes the creation of the Global Sports Institute, charged with translating and connecting broad audiences with sports research. The GSI will be headed by Ken Shropshire, the Wharton School of Business sports business and law expert who was name the Adidas Distinguished Professor of Global Sport at ASU in April. Shropshire holds a joint appointment at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. n —Jennifer Ernst Beaudry

“What interesting research can we do about the world of sport? What innovations can we look at?” MARK KING ADIDAS

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Abbott Health & Fitness Expo October 6-7, 2017

240,000 sq. ﬅ

Exhibit hall space The Abbott Health & Fitness Expo is one of the largest health and wellness expos in the country, making it the perfect opportunity to introduce participants and patrons to your brand. The two-day expo kicks oﬀ the Bank of America Chicago Marathon weekend and is free and open to the public, and isAttendees where all our participants are Exhibit hall space required to pick-up packets. Exhibit halltheir space

140,000 240,000 sq. ﬅ 240,000 sq. ﬅ 40,000+ Bank of America 240,000 sq. ﬅ 140,000 140,000 Chicago Marathon Exhibit hall space Attendees

140,000 40,000+ Attendees Bank of America Chicago Marathon participants

Attendees participants

40,000+ 175+ Bank of America Exhibitors Chicago Marathon participants

40,000+ Bank of America This audience is actively looking for the latest products175+ in running footwear, apparel Chicago Marathon 175+ and accessories, as well as the developments in sports, ﬁtness and nutrition. Exhibitors participants Exhibitors For pricing and more information contact Paul Brackey at paul.brackey@cemevent.com or 312.904.9812 Exhibitors

175+

Running Shorts

Balega honoring Fleet Feet West Hartford and Fleet Feet Roanoke.

Better Future” that provides $10,000 a year for four years to a student-runner from Capital Preparatory Magnet School in downtown Hartford so they could afford to stay in school for four full years. The success of this program is evident in two of the scholarship’s recipients who now are employed full time by Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford. The West Hartford team has invested significant time and resources in three additional initiatives that serve the under-privileged and at-risk populations in its community, including its “Footwear with Care” campaign providing shoes for the homeless; Love Wins/Finish the Race

which educates at-risk kids with a fun and active day at a local college; and the Little Manchester Road Race with more than 800 kids ages 2-12 participating in 2016 – including many from financially-challenged families. In 2015, Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke store owners Robin and Blaine Lewis created a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Project Forward, with the mission: Move Roanoke Forward One Step at a Time. Project Forward and Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke have brought together its loyal customers, vendors and the community to raise money and provide shoes, socks and fitness for several different causes and groups of people for specific reasons.

Balega Honors Stores at Fleet Feet Conference

Sock brand Balega honored two Fleet Feet Sports stores for outstanding community service and presented its prestigious Induna award to the Roanoke and West Hartford store owners during the annual Fleet Feet Sports National Conference in Pinehurst, NC on June 20th. In South African Zulu culture, the ties of family and community are paramount. Individuals who show great leadership, bravery or service within their community are held in high esteem. In Zulu society, these people are given the title “Induna,” which means great leader, ambassador or headman. 20

runninginsight.com

Balega’s Induna award recognizes the Fleet Feet Sports store that has shown outstanding leadership, commitment and service to their local community throughout the preceding year. “Since Balega’s inception, we have sought meaningful ways to pay tribute to the South African culture and country that is so much part of our identity,” said Tanya Pictor, Vice President of Marketing at Implus Specialty. “The Induna award was envisioned as a symbol of recognition for a Fleet Feet Sports store that truly moves the needle and pushes the boundaries in their own communities.” In 2012, Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford created a scholarship called “Run to a

Running Shorts (continued) Spring ’18 Trail Tech Preview from UA

In July, Under Armour’s inaugural 2017 Under Armour Mountain Running Series kicks off with its first event at Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor. The series will next hit Killington, VT in August and then Copper Mountain, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Each stop in the series will be a running festival unto itself, with seven different race categories, cash prizes, weekend-long resort activities, and post-race parties. Under Armour’s focus on the trail segment includes some highlight trail running

products for Spring ’18, including the new Horizon 50 trail shoe. The Horizon 50, MSRP $150, is “light, fast, and built for the long haul.” The trail style offers a smooth heel to toe transition that allows for less fatigue over longer miles. An integrated collar prevents debris from entering the shoe, and a podular rubber outsole decreases weight by having rubber only where you need it for a secure grip. Also new for Spring 2018 is the Scrambler Hybrid Jacket, MSRP $130. Offering up versatility for high output weather protection on the trail, the hybrid’s hood

The Horizon 50, MSRP $150, is light, fast, and built for the long haul.

and shoulders have Pertex Shield+ 2.5 layer laminated waterproof breathable fabric paired with a breathable, durable, singleweave material throughout the

body. Features include a center front vent tab, secure phone “seatbelt” in the chest pocket, moldable hood brim, and easy packability into its own pocket.

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O T T U C T R O H S . H G I H S ’ R E RUNN gineering

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ped ow: equip dy, set, fl a e w R o . fl d w u o loudfl ll-new Clo ll-new C ® sole, the a king a a e re h t -b g c in record loudTe a C , p n Introduc o te ti s t ra ry firs test gene s high. m the ve with the la ur runner’ o y time. Fro y n a to u te s o a w ke y does not goal: to ta ave one h s d u lo 18 C g.com on-runnin

Running Shorts (continued) the 2017 Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii this December. One grand prize winner

will be awarded a trip to the 2017 Honolulu Marathon along with a prize package totaling over $4,000. This grand prize package includes gear from Picky Bars, Brooks Running, Raw Elements, SOS Hydrate, Nathan Sports, Jay bird, and Stridebox. Also part of the prize package is a chance to run with Run Gum CEO, and two-time Olympian, Nick Symmonds. The marathon will be Nick’s final race and caps off a 12-year professional running career. Anyone is welcome to enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2017 Honolulu Marathon by signing up with their email address between now and July 31, 2017 at www. rungum.com/runaloha. n

Icebug Hires Ellen Brown to Rep Rocky Mtn Region

Icebug traction footwear has hired Ellen Brown for sales representation in the Rocky Mountain region. Brown, who is based in Denver, has a long history of experience in outdoor, running and footwear. She will cover: CO, NM, UT, and WY.

GU and Hoka Collaborate on New Flavor

GU Energy Labs and Hoka One One footwear have joined forces in a “sweet collaboration” to create a Toasted Marshmallow Energy Gel that’s inspired by Hoka’s new Clifton 4 shoe, aka “its Sweetest Cushion character.”

runninginsight.com

Available at GUEnergy. com and at running retail on July 6, the Toasted Marshmallow Energy Gel packaging features an image of the Sweetest Cushion character. A box of 24 Toasted Marshmallow Energy Gels retails for $36. The flavor combines sweetness with energydense calories. It comes in 100-calorie packets. The addition of Toasted Marshmallow Energy Gel makes 27 flavors in GU’s gel lineup. Run Gum Launches RunAloha Sweepstakes in Partnership With the Honolulu Marathon

Run Gum is currently running a promotion tied to

LEGENDS EVOLVE

THE RUNNING EVENT 2017

THE CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW FOR RUNNING RETAILERS

NOVEMBER 28- DECEMBER 1, 2017 AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER Exhibitor & Sponsorship Information: Troy Leonard: tleonard@formula4media.com 352-624-1561

4 DAYS OF IDEAS, STRATEGIES AND TACTICS TO KEEP YOU COMPETITIVE LEARN BEST PRACTICES FROM THE TOP RETAILERS IN THE BUSINESS VISIT MORE THAN 250 BRANDS AT THE TRE TRADE SHOW THERUNNINGEVENT.COM