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Susan Weeks Selected as New Running USA CEO

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - (March 11, 2008) - Running USA, a national organization for the sport of distance running, has selected Susan Weeks of Colorado Springs, Colo. as its Chief Executive Officer to replace Basil Honikman who earlier had announced his retirement as its CEO after he led the organization for 8 years.

"I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to be Running USA's CEO and to lead this solid organization in its mission to promote long distance running in the United States," said Susan Weeks.

Weeks, 57, who has twenty years of Olympic sport management experience, had been the USA Field Hockey Assistant Executive Director, Business Development since 2004. In addition, she has worked for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as manager of corporate services and United States Swimming as marketing and promotions director.

An avid runner, former owner and operator of a specialty running store and past road race director, Weeks has a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and she is married to Mark Weeks.

For a photo of Susan Weeks or to arrange an interview, please contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org

About Running USA
Running USA, founded in 1999, is a tax-exempt, non-profit association devoted to improving the status of road racing and long distance running in the United States through education, research, communications, collective marketing, promotions, services to runners and events and athlete development. Running USA, through its annual conference and other communication channels, provides the community "meeting place" for major road race, media and athletic industry personnel.

Its event members represent over 500 U.S. races including many of the leading ones with over 2 million participants and millions of spectators and over $3 million in prize money. For more information on Running USA and its objectives, members and annual conference, visit: RunningUSA.org

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Central Park Challenge to Bring Top Athletes to NYC in Olympic Year
Ritzenhein, Webb and Flanagan highlight outstanding fields
From NYRR

On Saturday, March 15, fans of distance running will witness two world class races in NYC as New York Road Runners hosts the Central Park Challenge. After the NYRR 8000 people's race at 7:30am, the USA Men's 8K Championship will take place at 9:00am, followed by a new event, the Women's Invitational, at 9:30am.

Eight Olympians and 10 current and former USA champions are entered in the two 8K (4.97-mile) races. There is a total prize-money purse of $70,000 - $20,000 of which will go to the top male and female finishers ($10,000 each) - plus a $10,000 bonus offered to any winner who breaks the U.S. 8K record of 22:04 for the men (Alberto Salazar, 1981) or 24:36 for the women (Deena Kastor, 2005).

NYRR hosted the USA Men's 8K Championship in 2002-2005 and again last year. This year's race will be more exciting than ever as it features a host of 2008 Olympic hopefuls eager to test their early-season fitness. Dathan Ritzenhein, who won the USA Cross Country Championship in San Diego this February, will take on U.S. mile record-holder Alan Webb in a renewal of one of America's leading long distance rivalries.

Ritzenhein holds a 5-2 advantage in races against Webb, a 2004 Olympian. The pair has taken turns in the top spot in their last two meetings: Webb won the 10,000-meter race at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in 2006, and Ritzenhein beat Webb in the 2 mile at the Prefontaine Classic last year.

Also in the field is Jorge Torres, the 2005 USA 8K champion and 2006 national 10,000 meter champion. Other entrants include Aaron Aguayo, Bolota Asmerom, James Carney, Josh McAdams, Ed Moran and Edwardo Torres. Ritzenhein, Jorge Torres and Moran have all made the U.S. team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, to be held March 30 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Olympian Shalane Flanagan, 26, of Pittsboro, NC, headlines the field for the Women's Invitational. The U.S. record holder at 5000 meters (14:44.80) and 3000 meters indoors (8:33.25), making her Central Park professional debut, is fresh off a commanding victory at the USA Cross Country Championship. She has spent most of the past two months training at 6,500 feet in the rugged mountains of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, with two-time New York City Marathon champion German Silva. Carrie Tollefson, Amy Rudolph, Katie McGregor and Erin Donohue are also among the leading contenders in this inaugural event.

For a complete entrant list and more, go to: www.nyrr.org/races/2008/r0315x00.asp

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Fleet Feet Launches No Boundaries, an Innovative New Program for New Runners and Walkers Nationwide

CARRBORO, N.C. - (March 6, 2008) - Fleet Feet, Incorporated, the nation's leading franchisor of running specialty stores, has announced the launch of No Boundaries, a national training program geared toward guiding beginners to walk or run their first 5K (3.1 miles). This spring, in a partnership with New Balance, more than 80 Fleet Feet Sports stores around the country are offering the program to their local communities. The purpose of the program is to introduce participants to the lifetime fitness activities of running and walking, encourage them to live healthier lifestyles and achieve goals they never thought possible.

According to Fleet Feet, Incorporated President, Jeff Phillips, "No Boundaries allows Fleet Feet Sports to share its brand message and mission of fit with a completely new group of customers. In one of our communities where we piloted it, 75% of the participants had never shopped at a Fleet Feet Sports store before."

Although Fleet Feet Sports is well known among runners, the majority of No Boundaries participants considered themselves minimally active prior to joining their local training program. With the guidance of coaches and staff, No Boundaries participants will work toward building healthier lifestyles and discover how proper footwear and technical apparel can help them stay comfortable while pursuing their goals. Local coaches will provide advice, support, weekly group training runs and walks, and educational clinics on topics such as proper nutrition, choosing the right gear and avoiding injury.

New Balance has partnered with Fleet Feet Sports as the national sponsor of the No Boundaries program to provide support, product and advertising dollars.

Dave Shelbourne, Running Specialty (Elite) Sales Manager at New Balance, said, "New Balance is thrilled to partner with Fleet Feet Sports and support this innovative national program. No Boundaries offers a win/win for the participant, Fleet Feet Sports, and New Balance. On a consumer level, the program will deliver results that can help change lives. And, from a vendor's perspective, the program provides an avenue to introduce new runners and walkers to our products."

According to Jeff Phillips, "Our store owners are focused on educating and helping people in their local communities live healthier lifestyles. This program not only helps beginners train for their first 5K, but it provides the support and tools they need to live a healthier lifestyle for years to come. We are proud to partner with New Balance on a program that can change peoples' lives."

Fleet Feet, Incorporated is the industry leader in franchising successful, community-oriented, specialty footwear, apparel and accessory stores serving runners, walkers and lifetime fitness enthusiasts. Currently there are 81 Fleet Feet Sports locations nationwide. Fleet Feet, Incorporated offers support for existing and potential franchises out of its corporate headquarters in Carrboro, North Carolina.

For more information on No Boundaries, contact Robyn Goby, (303) 581-1065 or robyn.goby@fleetfeet.com

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Zoot Sports Named Title Sponsor of the 2008 Zoot Playa del Run Aquathlon & 5K Series

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Generic Events, a top event production company, and Zoot Sports, a global leader in multi-sport apparel, wetsuits and footwear, have announced a partnership for the upcoming 2008 Zoot Playa del Run Aquathlon & 5K Series which kicks off on Sunday, April 27 in San Diego.

Specializing in the most innovative and technologically-advanced product for triathletes, Zoot Sports and Playa del Run create a perfect fusion of premium quality, performance and execution, both at the product and event level. The Zoot Playa del Run series features a 1000m Swim and 5K Run Series composed of six events along the coast of Southern California. The Series visits top cities along the Southern California Coast: Malibu, San Diego, Huntington Beach to name a few.

Participants can choose between an open water swim or 5K run or combine both into an Aquathlon. Points are awarded for the top finishers of each event. At the end of the season, the point winners will be awarded the King and Queen of the Beach (for the Aquathlon) and King and Queen of the Boardwalk (for the 5K Run).

Due to tremendous popularity of the series, Playa del Run has more than tripled in participation numbers since inception in 2002.

"Zoot Sports is the perfect title sponsor for Playa del Run. With the athletes experience in mind, our goal is to enhance the series as a whole, and there's no better way to do this than by teaming up with the #1 triathlon brand," said Michelle Lindner, Marketing Director and Co-founder of Generic Events.

This partnership will also give back to the participants by providing Zoot wetsuits, footwear, socks, hats, and other products at select events. Participants will also have the option to test a Zoot wetsuit at any one of the six events.

The Zoot Playa del Run series beneficiary is the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a unique organization that grants funds to people with physical challenges. There are hundreds of athletes that have been assisted by CAF that range from world class athletes competing on an international level to those who are recently disabled and are intent on becoming more active. For more information about CAF, please visit: ChallengedAthletes.org

2008 Zoot Playa del Run Series
April 27, San Diego, Mission Bay, CA
May 18, Santa Monica, Ocean Park, CA
June 8, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA
July 13, Playa del Rey, Dockweiler State Beach, CA
August 17, Solana Beach, Fletcher Cove, CA
September 21, Malibu, Zuma Beach, CA

About Generic Events
Playa del Run is managed and promoted by Generic Events, whose mission is to create athletic events that challenge all ranges of physical ability. Generic Events also produces the popular XTERRA Trail Run SoCal Series, Saint John's Santa Monica 5000, Pasadena Triathlon and the Bali International Triathlon in Indonesia. For more information, go to: GenericEvents.com

About Zoot Sports
Founded in Kona, Hawaii, the home of the Ironman Triathlon World Championships, Zoot Sports has been committed to multi-sport athletes and their sport since 1983.

25 years later, Zoot continues to draw on its history in the sport and its athletes to deliver the most comprehensive, technologically-advanced and complete multi-sport product line in the world, inclusive of performance apparel, WetZoots, Footwear and accessories for the swim, bike and run categories. For more information, visit: ZootSports.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org