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By Bob McGee S pecialty running store franchisor Fleet Feet has agreed to acquire New England-based running retailer Marathon Sports and its soundRunner and Runner's Alley brands. In the deal, Marathon Sports will retain its name despite the re- tirement of current, 30-year owners, Colin and Penny Peddie. Financial terms of the transaction that will make Marathon Sports, its ecommerce business, and its two additional banners, CT-based soundRUNNER and NH-based Runner's Alley, a wholly owned Fleet Feet subsidiary, are not being disclosed. "is acquisition opportunity was always based on admiration and excitement for what we felt was one of the strongest organizations in the country," Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer told us. "One of the primary reasons that the Marathon Sports Group will remain a wholly owned subsidiary and operate separately from Fleet Feet is the talent across their or- ganization. Beyond being an iconic brand in the Boston area, Marathon has built a team with fantastic talent." Per the deal, Marathon Sports' leader- ship team will continue operations out of its Waltham, MA, headquarters and each Marathon Sports, soundRUNNER and Runner's Alley location will continue use of its current store name in all branding, marketing and community outreach efforts. Completion of the Marathon acquisition will come some nine months aer Fleet Feet completed a deal for Jackrabbit Sports from CriticalPoint Capital. Fleet Feet currently has 252 doors across 40 states and the District of Columbia with new 2022 growth expected to come from new franchisees and existing franchisees expanding in their local markets. Marathon Sports Group and its 18 locations, as a wholly owned subsidiary, will not be included in Fleet Feet's store count. While there will be no Fleet Feet branding or messaging in-store or online, opportunities exist for the two businesses to strengthen their respective digital presences going forward. The Fleet Feet CEO confirmed that he and others in the FF senior management team are "counting on" obtaining some key business takeaways from the Peddies before their retirement. "We are looking forward to working with Colin and gaining his insight to ensure we're innovating and providing the best possible experience for our customer," Pointer added. Ben Cooke, who has served as GM for the former Princeton Running Co., VP of oper- ations for the Running Specialty Group and most recently as VP of business development and flagship retail for Fleet Feet, will succeed Peddie as president of Marathon Sports. "I've found exactly what you hope for when you sell a business you care deeply about," says Colin Peddie. "Ben and I have a strong relationship, similar philosophies and have enjoyed many conversations over the past decade about the industry. I know both Ben and Fleet Feet will honor the tradition of Marathon Sports, continue to support the communities where our stores are located, and leverage the strong team and culture we have developed in our organization." Customers of Marathon Sports, which was founded as a single store in Cambridge, MA in 1975, were sent an email about the Peddies' retirement and the acquisition. n Penny and Colin Peddie, longtime owners of Marathon Sports, are selling their business to Fleet Feet. "This acquisition opportunity was based on admiration and excitement for what we felt was one of the stron- gest organizations in the country. Beyond being an iconic brand in the Boston area, Marathon has built a team with fantastic talent." —Joey Pointer, Fleet Feet CEO Fleet Feet Chicago Adds Another Store with Acquisition More retail acquisition news: Specialty running store franchise DLZIMCO.Inc, owner operators of Fleet Feet Chicago, acquired Fleet Feet Rockford. e move to acquire Fleet Feet Rockford expands the Fleet Feet brand across northern Illinois. Fleet Feet Chicago owners Dave and Lisa Zimmer, celebrating their 25th anniversary as Fleet Feet franchisees, opened their first location in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, expanding over time to seven locations across Chicago, Deerfield and Elmhurst. Adding Fleet Feet Rockford now brings the Zimmers' franchise total to eight locations across Illinois. n 18 • July/August 2022 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com Beloved Boston Business Is the Latest Retail Acquisition. RETAIL / RUN SPECIALTY NEW ENGLAND'S ICONIC MARATHON SPORTS SOLD TO FLEET FEET

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