Running Insight

16 runninginsight.com ©2017 Formula4media LLC. PRESENTED BY: The Award: Sound Mind, Sound Body Award Presented by ASICS The Winner: Ragged Mountain Running Why They Won: Introduced by Matt Maguire, Director of Run Specialty Sales at ASICS. "It is my honor and privilege to present to you all tonight the winner of the First Annual Sound Mind, Sound Body Award. In 1949, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka started a shoe company that we know today as ASICS. What's special about Mr. Onitsuka's story is that he founded the company around a vision and idea that is very different than many of us would expect. In 1949, Japan was a decimated country. A few years removed from a significant defeat in World War II, the spirit of the nation was broken. And Mr. Onitsuka saw that it was severely affecting the morale and spirit of the youth of Japan. So instead of watching it continue, he decided to do something about it and change it. Mr. Onitsuka knew how powerful sport and movement were. These two activities not only lead to a healthy mind and a healthy body, but they could bring a community and nation together. And through sport, he could raise the spirits of the people of Japan, and bring about hope. The Sound Mind, Sound Body Award honors a retailer who lives this same philosophy out on a regular basis. It honors a retailer that understands that a healthy mind and a healthy body can not only change people's lives, but it can also change communities. Tonight, we honor Ragged Mountain Running Shop in Charleston, Virginia. Opened in 1982, Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni have lived out this mission every day. They have embraced the spirit of our company and founder, and used the platform of their store to change the lives of many and impact the community of Charlottesville in countless ways. Here are some examples: • Mark and Cynthia continue to volunteer their coach- ing time to help, on average, 1,000 runners a year. • They serve on over 20 community non-profit boards. • They are entering their 26th year as Sunday School teachers to high school students. • They collect and donate shoes internationally for those in need. Their typical yearly collection is just over 10,000 pair. • They put on 3 diaper drives a year to help out those in need in the Charlottesville area. Those that have kids, know how meaningful this is...diapers are expensive! • In 35 years as a store, they have put on – for free – a total of over 800 races and events. • Those events in their time have raised over $9 Million Dollars, all going back to local charity and efforts in the Charlottesville community. • Most special of all, the shop is a family affair. They have 4 children, and their two oldest children Alec and Audrey run the store full time. To honor them, ASICS will be making a dona- tion of $1,949 dollars (the year of our founding) to a Charity in the Charlottesville community." n Ragged Mountain Running was honored for its positive impact on its community. Ragged Mountain Running Charlottesville, VA SOUND MIND, SOUND BODY AWARD Photo: instagram.com/raggedmountainrunning

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