Running Insight

24 runninginsight.com © 2018 Formula4media LLC. RUNNING INSIGHT RUNNING INSIGHT M ore than 100 stores are undergoing final evalu- ations to determine the winners of The 50 Best Running Stores in America Awards for 2018. These stores were selected from more than 6,000 nominations representing a total of 255 stores. The awards will be presented as part of a three-day program June 21-23, 2018 at the Minneapolis Hilton, which will include business sessions, meetings with 26 brands and an awards dinner at The Mill City Museum on Friday, June 22, 2018. All stores that make The 50 Best Running Stores in America list will be invited and offered complimentary admission for two executives and a hotel room for two nights for the Awards program in Minneapolis. To complete the final two stages of the evaluation, stores must complete a survey that was sent to them earlier this week and undergo a Mystery Shopping evaluation by Franklin Retail Solutions. The mystery shopping, which includes revised criteria from previous years, will take place from mid-March to Mid-April. For a look at the revised criteria, click here: www.50bestrunningstores. com/criteria.html. Winning stores will be notified by May 1, 2018. "The enthusiasm from consumers and the industry has been remarkable," said Mark Sullivan, editor of Running Insight, the lead sponsor of The 50 Best Running Stores in America Awards. "The final list will be outstanding." The three-day event in Minneapolis will be held at The Minneapolis Hilton, immediately after the conclusion of Fleet Feet Inc.'s summer conference. The move was made to make it easy for sponsors to participate, Sullivan said, noting that only two of the 26 spots remain. Sponsors will be able to attend the awards dinner and all business sessions and will operate out of suites at the Minneapolis Hilton. Winning retailers will be organized into groups and have pre-arranged appointments scheduled with the 26 sponsors. Sponsors signed up thus far include: 2XU, A4, Aetrex, Altra, Aftershokz, Balega, Brilliant Reflective, CEP, Coros Wearables, Darn Tough, Diadora, Drymax, Fuelbelt, Hoka One One, Kari Traa, MediDyne, OS1st, Pro-Tec Athletics, Reebok, Salomon, Skechers, Sorbothane, Spenco, Trigger Point and Under Armour. At publication, two sponsorship spots remain open. n Any company interested in sponsoring The 50 Best Running Stores in America should contact Jeff Nott at jnott@formula4media. com or Mark Sullivan at msullivan@formula4media.com 50 Best Running Stores in America Selection Process Enters Final Stages For a look at the revised criteria. The mystery shopping, which includes revised criteria from previous years, will take place from mid-March to Mid-April. CLICK HERE P erformance headwear brand Headsweats is inviting consumers to join them in celebrating a major milestone by entering original artwork for the chance to be featured on a limited-edition 20th anniversary performance trucker hat. Artists are asked to submit designs that honor the Headsweats brand and their customers' active outdoor lifestyle. Design contest submissions will be accepted now through April 8. The top three designs will be shared for a public vote and the winner will be announced May 1. The final product will debut at Outdoor Retailer this summer and be sold exclusively on the Headsweats website. The win- ning artist will receive a $100 Headsweats Gift Certificate and his/her choice of a nonprofit part- ner to benefit from a portion of the proceeds. "We wanted to celebrate our 20th anniversary in a way that would encourage participation from the very community that has made it possible for us to be here today," says Headsweats President Mike McQueeney. "We are so excited to see what folks produce." Headsweats was founded in the winter of 1998 by shoe industry veteran and avid cyclist, Alan Romick. Frustrated by the perils of forehead sweat dripping down from his helmet, he set out to develop performance head- wear that would wick moisture and dry quickly. Starting with a single product available in just four colors, the "Cotton Classic" quietly became the elite athlete's secret weapon, expanding to over 17 different products available in over 140 different colors and styles. Today the Headsweats product line includes washable, light- weight, supremely wicking hats that dominate the endurance run- ning, cycling, triathlon, rowing, and adventure racing markets. n For more information on the Headsweats Design Contest, including official rules and regula- tions, visit blog.headsweats.com. Headsweats Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Hat Design Contest

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