Coming Events
Return to top / Return to main page


Contact: Sharon Barbano, Vice President, Public Relations, Saucony, Inc., (617) 824-6126 or sharon_barbano@striderite.com

Saucony Remembers Ryan Shay with Tribute at Its Headquarters
The Ryan Shay Memorial Fund, Ryan Shay Product Creation Center and the Shay XC Shoe are unveiled

LEXINGTON, Mass. - (April 17, 2008) - Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS), and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, hosted a tribute at the brand's headquarters at The Stride Rite Corporation in Lexington to honor Ryan Shay, a longtime friend and Saucony sponsored athlete. Ryan Shay tragically passed away during the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City this past November. Saucony and Stride Rite associates welcomed Ryan's wife and Saucony athlete Alicia Shay for the official launch of the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund, the unveiling of the Ryan Shay Product Creation Center at Saucony and the introduction of the new Saucony Shay XC Shoe.

To honor Ryan's passion to help those in need, Alicia Shay established the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. The fund will support Ryan's vision to help disadvantaged individuals, groups and communities, as well and American distance runners in financial need. Saucony demonstrated their loyalty to both the sport and Ryan and Alicia Shay by making an immediate donation to the Fund. Individuals interested in making a tax deductible donation to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund can send donations to: Alicia Shay, 780 Ponderosa Parkway, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

"Ryan touched people's lives in so many ways," said Alicia Shay. "His dream was to help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people and communities. He was also passionate and loyal to his fellow American runners and wanted those in financial need to have the support so they could remain focused on their training," she added.

As a tribute to Ryan, Saucony dedicated a portion of its product creation and design center to Ryan's memory. In life, Ryan's dedication to the sport inspired the Saucony team and the entire running community and now in spirit, Ryan will provide the Saucony design team with the motivation to continually create performance footwear and apparel that helps runners push their limits.

"When we were thinking about a permanent way to honor Ryan, it became clear that the inspiration he brought to the product creation team was to be enduring," said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony. "The team felt that the best way to capture Ryan's energy and inspiration was to lend his name to the place where they work every day, creating the best running shoes they possibly can," added Woodworth.

In addition, Saucony unveiled the new Shay XC, a cross-country running shoe designed to commemorate Ryan's legacy and love for the sport of cross country. The Shay XC will be available at specialty retail stores in June 2008.

Attendees also had the opportunity to meet Alicia Shay, Ryan's brother Nathan Shay, his sisters Jodie Kleymeer and Sarah Mittanck, as well as members of the Saucony executive and design teams.

About Saucony, Inc.
Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc., is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to: Saucony.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Contact: Edward Parham, Director of Public Relations, Rueckert Advertising and Public Relations, (518) 446-1091

Benita Johnson to Defend Title at 30th Freihofer's Run for Women 5K on May 31
IAAF awards Freihofer's 5K prestigious "Silver Label" designation

ALBANY, N.Y. - (April 22, 2008) - The 30th Freihofer's Run for Women 5K is just over a month away, and organizers have begun to release details of what promises to be one of the finest fields in the storied history of this race.

Spearheading the charge on Saturday, May 31st - at a new time of 9:15am - will be Australia's Benita Johnson, the two-time defending race champion who, in the weeks prior to the race, has shown herself to be in the form of her life.

"We are delighted to welcome Benita back to Albany this year," said Freihofer's Run for Women Event Director George Regan, noting that the Freihofer's Run for Women will be Johnson's only race in the U.S. prior to the Olympic Games in Beijing this August. "Benita is among the finest female distance runners in the world today and, both on and off the roads, she has shown herself to be a true champion."

When Johnson first made the trip to Albany in 2006, she recorded a fast time of 15 minutes, 27 seconds to turn back the challenges of Natalya Berkut from the Ukraine and the much favored Lornah Kiplagat from the Netherlands. One year later, with the pressure truly on, Johnson ran even faster, recording a time of 15:22 to defeat former champion, Asmae Leghzaoui from Morocco, by 10 seconds. With this year's race on the horizon, Johnson has shown herself to be primed for yet another world class performance.

At the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 30th, Johnson, 29, placed 11th overall in the 8K race, leading the Aussie team to a bronze medal finish.

"I'm so excited to be returning for my third year in a row. Let's hope it is third time lucky for me!" said the two-time Olympian, whose past two Freihofer's wins were her only victories on U.S. soil. "I love this event and to run it in an Olympic year means it's vital for my preparation for Beijing. I can't wait to hear the crowd as I run towards the finish. It's truly magic in Albany with those fans screaming!"

Event organizers also announced that the Freihofer's Run for Women is among 40 road races around the world to have earned the prestigious "Silver Label" designation from the IAAF Road Running Commission.

Two label levels are attributed to road races that satisfy a number of important criteria concerning the organizational standard of the race, course measurement, safety and medical standards and media services. The deciding factor for the attribution of a gold or silver label is the number of elite athletes engaged and the level of international TV coverage achieved by the participating races.

"We're honored to have received this designation," Regan added. "It speaks volumes about the quality of our event and what we've been able to accomplish over the past 29 years. We join some amazing company, including the Tokyo Marathon, MDS Nordion 10K, ING Brussels Marathon, Athens 10K and the Tokyo International Women's Marathon to name but a few."

Held in downtown Albany, N.Y., the Freihofer's Run for Women, a Running USA Founding Member, offers $27,000 in prize money, with the race champion being awarded $10,000. This year's 30th edition will also include the USATF National Race Walk 10K Open and Junior Championships featuring some of the nation's top race walkers, several of whom will be Olympic team contenders.

A 30-minute Freihofer's Run for Women TV special will air Saturday, May 31 at 10:30pm on FOX23 News. An encore presentation will be shown Sunday, June 1 at 5:30pm (or at the conclusion of NASCAR's race from Dover International Speedway) on VTV - the Variety Channel on digital channel 23.2. VTV is also available to Time Warner Cable digital cable subscribers on channel 423.

To register for the Freihofer's Run for Women, or for more information about the Freihofer's Run for Women festival of events, including the Freihofer's Community Walk, Freihofer's Kids' Run and CapitalCare Health & FitnessExpo, visit: FreihofersRun.com

Return to top / Return to main page

Sports Backers Garner Accolades from the National Association of Sports Commissions
Website, marketing and event creation accomplishments cited

RICHMOND, Va. - (April 23, 2008) - The National Association of Sports Commission awarded the Sports Backers three of its most significant honors at the 2008 NASC Sports Event Symposium in Omaha, Nebraska yesterday, April 22.

The Sports Backers, who were named Sports Commission of the Year in 2006, won the nationally competitive awards for Best Locally Created Event for the James River Adventure Games, Best Website for SportsBackers.org and Best Marketing Publication for its quarterly magazine, SBQ.

"The Sports Backers clearly demonstrated to each independent judging panel the quality and excellence of the work they perform in their community and we congratulate them on their accomplishments," said Kathy Siford, NASC Awards Committee Chair.

"The Sports Backers continue to exhibit national leadership in the creation of their events, in their entrepreneurial approach to marketing and in the innovation of their events and programs," said Sports Backers board president Doug Roth. "This all adds up to significant sports tourism benefits to the Richmond region."

Sports Backers is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization founded in October 1991 to build a more vibrant community through sports. The mission of the organization is to maximize the community benefits of sports tourism in the region by:
* Creating, attracting and improving significant sporting events,
* Serving as a resource in the development and utilization of sports facilities and
* Aiding area youth through sports outreach programs.

These activities and programs strengthen the economy, provide health benefits to participants and make the Richmond region a more desirable place to live.

For more information, contact Mike McCormick at (804) 285-9495.

Return to top / Return to main page

Another Year, Another Record: Houston Marathon Event Raises $1.26 Million for Charity
45 non-profit organizations reap the rewards through event's Run for a Reason program

HOUSTON - (April 22, 2008) - For the first time in the history of the event, participants in the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K have raised more than $1 million for charity.

Participants in the January 13, 2008, trio of races generated $1,262,925.55 for the 45 charities that were part of Run for a Reason, the event's fund-raising program, race organizers has announced. The total is a 48% increase over the $852,000 raised in 2007, and almost double the $660,000 total in 2006.

"We wanted to break the $1 million mark this year and we knew, thanks to our great participants, that it was attainable," said Brant Kotch, Race Director. "Thousands of them made the commitment to Run for a Reason and their dedication to their causes is reflected in the charity total."

The Run for a Reason program has raised close to $8 million through pledges and donations in its 14-year history.

"The Chevron Houston Marathon has grown in so many ways and deserves the title of 'civic treasure,'" said Dave Feldman, Public Affairs Representative for Chevron, title sponsor of the 26.2-mile race. "The growth of the Run for a Reason program is a source of special pride for Chevron and highlights our commitment to benefiting communities where we work. We're delighted about the success of this year's charitable program and look forward to generating future investments in our non-profit partners."

The $1.26 million includes funds raised by the participants, $100,000 from the newly formed Houston Marathon Foundation, and money generated through the Run for a Reason Sidewalk Squad, a fund-raising program aimed at corporations. The program started in 2007 with two companies and grew to include 20 companies for the 2008 race.

A list of this year's charities, businesses and information about the Run for a Reason and Sidewalk Squad programs is available at ChevronHoustonMarathon.com - click on the "Charities" link in the left navigation bar.

The marathon, half-marathon, 5K and Kids' Fun Run attracted a record 24,000 participants in 2008. The marathon and half-marathon reached their combined cap of 17,000 in late September, more than three months ahead of race day.

The 37th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon is set for Sunday, January 18, 2009.

The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the nation's premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and nearly 30 foreign countries. The Chevron Houston Marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More than 5,000 volunteers organize the race, which is Houston's largest single-day sporting event. More information is available online at ChevronHoustonMarathon.com or by calling (713) 957-3453.

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