Run Matters

We are calling episode 6 of the Run Matters Podcast, Powered by Skechers Performance the “Connection Episode”.  From the opening subject du jour lightning round right to the “Run to the Finish” segment, we talked about how the specialty running channel is at the heart of most connections, whether it’s between brands and retailers or retailers and their local community.  Our first conversation features Keith Shelton, the Director of Merchandising and Product Development for the Skechers Performance division.  Keith is all about making connections with the specialty retailers that are at the heart of the performance running category.  We then spoke with Greg Koch, owner of 605 Running in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and how he has made the connection with Benson Lang’at to help his customers and the rest of the local running community make a tighter connection to their events and gaining the most possible from their relationship to 605.  The show then wraps up with our “Run to the Finish Segment” featuring our in-house running coach Amanda Brooks.  Amanda and Mark talked about making the connection to running on a track as an alternative to road or trail running.  This is the last episode of season 1.  Look for bonus “best of” episodes and interviews with Meb, Ches and others from Season 1 of the Run Matters Podcast, powered by Skechers Performance during the month of April.

In Episode 6 of the Retail Matters edition of the Run Matters Podcast, Mark and I learn how a former bakery owner made the pivot to become an owner of one of the hottest running stores in the running rich state of South Dakota.605 Running Company’s Greg Koch shares his story in this episode of the Retail Edition of The Run Matters Podcast powered by Skechers performance.Koch’s recipe relies heavily on community Involvement and an extensive coaching program, led by former collegiate all-American Benson Lang’at, who joined us for the discussion. Lang’at is a clinical psychologist whose coaching methods incorporate the perfect mix of mental and physical health. Hear how Sioux Falls has adopted this son of Kenya and supported him on his inspiring virtual Boston Marathon run last year. It’s all on Episode 6 of Retail Matters edition of the Run Matters Podcast.

This episode of the Retail Matters Podcast features Shoes and Brews in Longmont, CO.          Mark and Neil had a fun discussion with store owner/manager and mom, Ashlee Anderson as she explained how the five owners put this concept together and what it has meant for the local community.  Shoes and Brews has been able to tap into the younger, family-oriented demographic to make themselves an important part of this community and create a new type of running retail experience at the same time.  

If there was any one word that describes the past 12 months, it is disruption.  But disruption is not always a bad thing.  In fact, for many in the running community, it has been a chance to make lemonade from a giant bowl of lemons.  S01E05 of The Run Matters Podcast begins with a discussion between lead product developer at Skechers Performance, Kurt Stockbridge and one of running’s up and coming stars, Edward Cheserek.  “Ches” has been using the time during the pandemic to train for some middle-distance events and keep in peak shape for what he hopes will be an appearance in the delayed Tokyo Olympics.  On the retail side, it’s hard to imagine a retailer that is disrupting more than Shoes and Brews in Longmont, CO, where you can pick up a pair of Skechers Running Shoes and grab a freshly brewed craft beer to celebrate.  Then, our in-house running coach, Amanda Brooks helps us Run to The Finish talking about how disruption for runners can be a positive force.   

We then sat down with Ken Sung, co-owner of Gazelle Sports in Central Michigan. Ken discussed how Gazelle used this time during the pandemic to take a step back and look closely at its business and then make the needed changes to get ready for the next three to five years. Ken then went on to talk about his entrepreneurial efforts that include both a farm to table full-service restaurant and a brand-new Gourmet Bagel Shop. Neil is still waiting for the dozen bagels Ken promised him.

We are calling Episode 4 of the Run Matters Podcast, “The Collaboration Episode” for two reasons. The first collaboration in this episode features Amanda Brooks and Co-host, Neil Schwartz as they talk about his plan to get out and start running. Neil is in the early “walk/run” stage but hopes to get to his goal in two to three months. We heard Neil say” This whole process scares the crap out of me” but he is starting to build new habits.The next collaboration takes listeners behind the scenes with Kurt Stockbridge, lead product developer for Skechers Performance, and superstar runner, Meb Keflezighi as they reveal the process it took to create a pair of shoes in less than eight weeks that Meb would wear for the NY Marathon. It’s a powerful example of how a product developer and elite athlete work together to create a special shoe and then how this effort translates to shoes that later become available to the general running public.We then sat down with Ken Sung, co-owner of Gazelle Sports in Central Michigan. Ken discussed how Gazelle used this time during the pandemic to take a step back and look closely at its business and then make the needed changes to get ready for the next three to five years. Ken then went on to talk about his entrepreneurial efforts that include both a farm to table full-service restaurant and a brand-new Gourmet Bagel Shop. Neil is still waiting for the dozen bagels Ken promised him.We closed the show with the Run to the Finish Segment as Amanda as Mark Sullivan debunk the common myths associated with running.

We sit down for a candid, sometimes emotional, conversation with Colin Peddie, owner of Marathon Sports. Marathon has 18 stores, across three different names throughout the New England Area.  Colin talks about how he grew his business from one to 18 stores without borrowing a dollar and shares the business philosophy and strategy that allowed him to accomplish this amazing feat. He also shares his harrowing first-hand experience from the day of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, which took place less than 10 yards from his main store on Boylston Street.  Mark and Neil enjoyed the conversation so much, they recorded some behind the scenes banter with Colin after the main interview has been completed.  It’s truly a memorable episode.

After listening to the 3 interviews that are included in Episode 03 of the Run Matters Podcast, you will understand why we call this the “Inspiration Episode”. From the first segment that features running coach, Amanda Brooks, to the last segment with Colin Peddie from Marathon Sports in New England, we focused on what inspires you and how we can all be better in 2021.  Hang in for the end of the segment with Amanda as she agrees to take on a project in 2021 and inspire Neil to get out running. Sandwiched in between Amanda and Colin, running superstar and Skechers Ambassador, Meb Keflezighi inspires us all by relating his story on how he got from his village with no electricity and running water in Eritrea to the top of the running world with big marathon wins in New York, Boston, and a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.  Also, be sure to check out Marathon Sports social media for a chance to win a free pair of Skechers Running Shoes.  

Justin Craig is the co-owner of RUNdetroit in Midtown Detroit, Michigan.  Justin originally comes from Seattle where he worked in Orthopedics including spine specialty and later, foot & ankle. Justin has a vast knowledge in the biomechanics of running and foot & ankle injuries.  He and his business partner Alia Polsgrove opened RUNdetorit in 2013 as the first running specialty store in the City of Detroit. Their store offers solutions for a variety of running and walking needs including; shoes, apparel, essentials, training and overall knowledge for enjoyable and efficient running. Justin speak on various topics for major corporations and universities ranging from the importance of heath and proper posture to employee attraction and retention.  He is a competitive runner having completed numerous trail ultra-marathons and is a supporter of treating the body as a whole system. 

In episode 2 of the Run Matters Podcast, we don’t waste any time getting into one of the most important topics that every runner faces on a daily basis. In our Run to the Finish segment with Amanda Brooks, we talk about motivation and how runners can handle getting their head in the right place before they lace up their shoes and hit the street or trail.  Amanda has something she calls “the five-minute rule” that every runner encounters on those days when they just don’t feel like getting out of bed.  In the “retail matters segment”, Justin Craig from RUNdetroit talks about how his store was dealing with trying to do business during the pandemic and how they took some dramatic measures to stay connected to their customers and expand their services.  It is then time for the “Ches Lounge” segment with one of the bright young stars on the running scene, Edward Cheserek.  “King Ches” as he is known has a great back story on how he got to America and then moved from playing soccer to being one of the names to watch in elite running.   It’s then time to get all “shoe geeky” with Kurt Stockbridge, lead product developer for Skechers Performance.  Neil gets a science lesson from Kurt and then Mark wants to put his shoes in his mouth.  It’s totally worth hanging in till the end.

Each episode will feature an in-depth interview of a leading run specialty retailer conducted by Running Insight Editor at large Mark Sullivan and industry data guy Neil Schwartz. Farley talks about managing his team through the pandemic, doubling down on bricks and mortar and his optimism for the future of the channel as well as his new store in Georgetown. Chris Farley is the owner and President of Pacers Running//Chief Running EnthusiastA lifelong runner, Chris has been in the running specialty industry since 1999 and is considered a subject matter expert in running retail. Chris was lauded as a “40 under 40” for the Sporting Goods industry by SportsOneSource in 2011.  Pacers Running owns and operates 6 locations in DC and VA and 18 road races from 5k to the Marathon.Chris also hosts a top-rated running podcast, “Pace the Nation” that boasts of over 250,000 downloads to date.Chris is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he ran Cross Country and Track for 4 years.  Chris and his wife Julie, live in Arlington, VA with their 2 sons James (4) and Paul (2). 

Episode 1 of the Run Matters Podcast presented by Skechers Performance kicks off with a lively list of regular features and special guests, including a timely segment on running safety in the Run to the Finish segment featuring Social Media sensation Amanda Brooks. Hosts Mark Sullivan and Neil Schwartz then speak to our featured retailer, Chris Farley from Pacers Running in the DC area.  Run Matters then spends some quality time with “The Michael Jordan of Running,” Meb Keflezighi. There is so much more to Meb than just his amazing career as a world-class runner.  He is also a world-class family man and ambassador for the sport. Kurt Stockbridge, lead Product Developer for Skechers Performance, then stops by and shares some stories about how he works with Skechers team of great athletes to develop product that works for them as well as the everyday runner. 

Run Matters is a podcast powered by Skechers Performance™ created to help runners navigate the challenges of change and stay connected with runners of all levels. Hosts Mark Sullivan and Neil Schwartz will be joined on a regular basis by writer and run coach, Amanda Brooks, the mind behind the Run To the Finish blog along with Kurt Stockbridge, the lead product designer for Skechers Performance. Each show will feature conversations with elite runners Meb Keflezighi and Edward Cheserek alongside interviews with the top running store owners in the country.