July 2, 2009

RBR Interview: Richie Woodworth, President, Saucony, by Larry Eder

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Richie Woodworth, President, Saucony, photo courtesy of Saucony communications

In the world of performance running, the brands on top are the brands willing to a) focus on consistently strong product,b) be willing to promote the product, c) invest in events, athletes, and local brand support, d) vigilantly watch their customer service and e) invest in long term relationships with specialty retailers.

In 2009, the champions in performance running footwear are ASICS, Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno, Nike and New Balance. The new brands, like Kswiss, Somnia, Merrell, Newton, all look to what the top players have done. The devil is in the details.

One of the hottest brands in 2009 is Saucony. We asked Richie Woodworth, President of Saucony, to spend some time discussing why his brand is firing on all cylinders and what it takes for a brand to excel in such a competitive environment. Please note that we will be interviewing executives from some of the other key players over the next few months. Note also that the Fleet Feet franchises gave their vendor of the year to Saucony. Service is key to survival in this market. Next to product, without service to the retailer, the party is over.

The running footwear biz is $7.5 billion in 2009. Specialty is just over $900 million and growing. This is our world, day in, day out. At the Running Network, we track 800 specialty running stores-about 300 of them are firing on all cylinders.

What is fascinating to me, is that the CEOs and Presidents of the major brands are a fascinating bunch. What is interesting, at least to me, is how the managers like Woodworth use their brand's key strengths to help them excel.

Continue reading "RBR Interview: Richie Woodworth, President, Saucony, by Larry Eder" »

July 1, 2009

Tirunesh Dibaba is out of Exxon Bislett Games, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

Tirunesh Dibaba, on her website www.tiruneshdibaba.net., announced a small injury, so no 5k matchup with Defar.

Mariya Savinova, at a meet in Moscow,the Third Moscow Open, in front of 1,500, ran the world leading 800 meters of 1:57.60. Jillian Schwartz set an Israeli All comers record with her 4.42m jump
in Tel Aviv.

And the question of the day, who was more impressive in Eugene? Evan Jager or German Fernandez? In my mind, German is quite impressive with his AR, and Even, with his style, and his charging with 200 meters to go, opened my eyes, so the answer is c) both are impressive in their own rights! Wow, that was hard. ( Fam gets a bow of the hat, and an adult beverage next time I see him).

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Okay sports fans, Larry is flying all night to get home, so do not expect any 3 am updates, perhaps seven am, but no three am.

Photo of the men/s 5,000 meter final, US Champs 09, by PhotoRun.net.

Continue reading "Tirunesh Dibaba is out of Exxon Bislett Games, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder" »

June 30, 2009

Exxon Bislet Games on Friday: Great Fields, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

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Yelena Isinbayeva is one of the nine winners from Berlin who will compete at the Golden League's second event on Friday, July 2, in Oslo, Norway. The Exxon Bislett Games has over 40 world record performances on its intimate track setting. Wonderful summer weather in Scandanavia (or cold in other parts of the world), and stands very close to the track, give the athletes the feeling of an indoor facility, except that it is outdoors! Kenenisa Bekele is expected as well as Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, which could be a true clash of the titans.

Continue reading "Exxon Bislet Games on Friday: Great Fields, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder" »

Lui Xiang recovering well from ankle injury, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

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I took this shot at the office of the People's Youth Daily, at the Main Press center, in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics. Amazing event, and the theatrics around China's most important track & field athlete was fascinating. Liu Xiang is recovering from his ankle injury sustained in training for Beijing last year. Xiang had his surgery in Houston, Texas last spring.

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Galen Rupp Signs with Michael Johnson, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

The rumors started early on Sunday, after the meet. Galen Rupp had chosen Michael Johnson as his agent. At this time, MJ has Jeremy Wariner, one of the top long sprinters in the world, but no one else. In the Oregonian article on the subject, Galen is quoted as saying that MJ not having a large stable of athletes appealed to him.

As one of the most watched athletes in the US, and an athlete who has been coached by Alberto Salazar for most of his high school and college career, Galen Rupp has been considered one of the most promising American distance runners of his generation.

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The consensus was that Galen would choose an agent with some background in distance running, such as Mark Wetmore, Peter Stubbs, Ray Flynn or Tom Radcliffe. On Let'srun.com, one comment asked if MJ will take Galen to adidas, as he did with Jeremy Wariner. Considering the nearly life long connection with Nike brand, that sounds distant. Most sponsors see it as ludicrous to compete against Nike's deep pockets when they truly want an athlete. Not all, but most....

The real value for Galen Rupp is not now, but in six to eight years, when he moves to the marathon. Continued development, with faster times on the track, over 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, suggests a strong future at the marathon. Consider this for one moment, it was nearly two years ago when Rupp ran 27:33. In his present condition, one would surmise he could run 27 minutes or nearby.

An agent, manager knows that today, in these tough economic times, an athlete of Galen's character and potential stands out. An athlete with the support of Alberto Salazar's dream, the Oregon project, can find his or her true potential. Galen Rupp has just begun to develop, and his ability to move quickly over the last few laps, is, as 72 bronze medalist Ian Stewart mentioned on Saturday, quite impressive. To medal in these days, you not only have to handle the pace, but be able to drop a four minute mile and kick off a 52 or 53 second last lap. That is the nature of global distance running. And that is required to be in the top six.

One thing is for certain, it will be a fascinating series of negotiations, and Galen Rupp's apparent goal of having someone focus on his best interests, and only on his interests, came into play. This will make this a compelling story.

Photo by Photorun.net.

Continue reading "Galen Rupp Signs with Michael Johnson, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder" »

Defar Vs. Dibaba in Oslo Bislett, Friday, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

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Meseret Defar versus Tirunesh Dibaba will be closely watched. (Picture of Defar from PhotoRun.net).

Continue reading "Defar Vs. Dibaba in Oslo Bislett, Friday, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder" »

June 29, 2009

Men's Long Jump-the present & the future, by Larry Eder

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Consider now, the story of Dwight Phillips. Dwight won the 2004 Olympic long jump, the 2005 World Champs Long jump, and in 2007, in Osaka, took the bronze. At the press conference afterwards, with Panama's Irving Saldino and Italy's Andrew Howe, one could see that Dwight Phillips was not happy, but he presented his game face. In 2008, Dwight's nightmare continued-he did not make the US team-on the last round he was pushed to fourth.

In 2009, considering giving it all up, Dwight Phillips started training with Loren Seagrave, one of the technical gurus in our sport. If someone can break up your jump and figure out what you are doing wrong, it is Loren Seagrave.....

Photo by Photorun.net.

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Day 3: Women's Jav: Kara Patterson drops the BOMB, 209-10!, by Larry Eder

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Kara Patterson knows how to make her competition sweat. Wait until your fourth throw, with the local hero winning, and then, just crank that arm back, release and watch the mighty javelin float, higher and higher, reach its apex, then just float down, fifteen feet farther than the leading throw! The throw was 63.95m, or 209-10, and it won the competition.

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Rachel Yurkovich lead from round two, the Duck getting the crowd to go insane, with her 59.07m, then a 56.32m, then, in reaction to Patterson's huge throw, a 59.31m, or 194-07 for the second place position.

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In third, Kim Kreiner of Nike, the American record holder at 64.19m, took third in 58.00m or 190-03, from her second throw.

The javelin is one the oldest events in our sport, the world's oldest sport. Not much has changed with the javelin in three thousand years, and the beauty of this event is in its simplicity. One has to relax to throw farther, the javelin is a tough master. Push it and the javelin will master you. It is a reminder of how, nearly three thousand years ago, men in Greece would suspend local feuds to worship their gods and celebrate sport. It is still the dream...

Photos by Photorun.net.

Continue reading "Day 3: Women's Jav: Kara Patterson drops the BOMB, 209-10!, by Larry Eder" »

Day 3: LaShinda Demus Screams over 400mIH: 53.78! by Larry EDer

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Sheena Tosta and LaShinda Demus race around the Hayward Field track....

Photo by Photorun.net

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Day 3: Walker wins strange pole vault, by Larry Eder

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Brad Walker won the US championships in a very tactical game of competition.....

Photo by Photorun.net.

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