The adidas Boost Boston Games was launched in June 2016 as a way to shake up the presentation of the sport of athletics. adidas, a long time supporter of the sport, supported meets in Herzogenaurach, Germany (adidas campus) and in Boston to showcase their global support of athletics.
The 2016 events were a huge success. In Boston, Global Athletics & Marketing produced the event for adidas and are managing and producing the 2017 events on June 2 and June 4. What do I like about the event? Combining a fine night of racing on the track, and then, the enthusiasm of an indoor track outdoors, the track on the street has been expanded to 200 meters from 150 meters.
In 2017, adidas and Global Athletics & Marketing will do something old and something new. The events on June 2 and June 4 provide fans a intimate view of the sport and their heroes. Some of the biggest champions from Rio 2016 will be in Boston: Wayde Van Niekerk, Torie Bowie and Ajee' Wilson will be in Boston. RunBlogRun looks forward to seeing you there!
Olympic Champions to Headline adidas Boost Boston Games
BOSTON, Mass. (April 12, 2017)--Olympic gold medalists Wayde van Niekerk, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Jeff Henderson and Tori Bowie are the first stars set for the 2017 adidas Boost Boston Games, a "street meet" returning to Boston after its successful debut last year.
The quartet of champions from the Rio Games will compete in the heart of the city on Sunday, June 4, on a 200-meter track--50 meters longer than last year--to again be constructed overnight on Charles Street between the Public Garden and Boston Common. Sprints, hurdles, long jump and pole vault will be featured at the event. Finish-line VIP seats are available for $75, which include food, beverage and a $50 adidas gift card, with a limited number of additional finish-line seats at $25. Tickets are on sale at www.adidasboostboston.com, with free standing room on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Building a track, pole vault runway and long jump pit overnight in the middle of the city is no small challenge, but after seeing the excitement of fans lining Charles Street last year for the first street meet ever held in the U.S. we and our partner, adidas, couldn't wait to do it again," said Mark Wetmore, meet director. "The city of Boston has been nothing but supportive, and being able to announce four Olympic gold medalists right out of the blocks is a great sign that the 2017 meet will be another huge hit."
On Friday night, June 2, distance events will again be contested at the adidas Boost Boston Games/Somerville. Tickets for that event, at Dilboy Memorial Stadium, are $10 and include a post-race barbecue for fans and athletes.
Leading the parade of 2016 Olympic stars headed to Charles Street is Wayde van Niekerk, whose breathtaking victory at 400 meters in Rio was one of the highlights of the Games in any sport. The 24-year-old South African became a sensation when he not only devastated the field while running from the unfavorable Lane 8, but shattered the World Record when he crossed the line in 43.03 seconds. Van Niekerk--the only athlete in history to run under 10 seconds for 100 meters, 20 seconds for 200 meters and 44 seconds for 400 meters--will run the 200 meters.
Also earning a 400-meter gold medal in Rio was Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas. The 22-year-old arrived in Rio as the 2015 IAAF World Championships silver medalist, but--as the 2010 IAAF World Junior Champion, 2011 World Youth Champion and 2013 NCAA Indoor Champion--she is no stranger to the top step of the podium. Miller-Uibo will also run the 200 meters on Charles Street.
Coming through on his final attempt, Jeff Henderson won the first Olympic gold medal in the long jump for the U.S. since 2004. Henderson, 28, is also the 2015 Pan American Games Champion, and will return to Charles Street, where he competed last year on his road to Rio.
Another breakout star from Rio, Tori Bowie, will return to run the 150 meters after winning at 100 meters last year. At the Games, the 26-year-old won a silver medal at 100 meters, bronze at 200 meters and gold as anchor of the U.S. 4x100 team. Bowie, the 2015 IAAF World Championships bronze medalist at 100 meters and 2011 NCAA long jump champion, is the only U.S. runner to win two individual medals at the Games.
Once again, adidas will also bring in the top high school sprinters in the country for the adidas Dream 100, which in its history has featured future World or Olympic medalists Trayvon Bromell, Marvin Bracy and Octavious Freeman, as well as Candace Hill, the 2015 World Youth Champion at both 100 and 200 meters. The adidas Dream Mile will be contested at the Somerville event.
The adidas Boost Boston Games, produced by Boston-based Global Athletics and Marketing, Inc., is part of the 2017 USATF Championship Series. The street meet, which will include highlights of Dilboy action, will be broadcast live on NBCSN on June 4 from 4-6 p.m. More on the adidas Boost Boston Games, which is part of the 2017 USATF Championship Series, is available at www.adidasBoostBoston.com; on Facebook at adidasBoostBostonGames; on Twitter at @adidasBoostBos; and on Instagram at adidasBoostBostonGames.
About adidas AG
adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry with the core brands adidas and Reebok. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the Group employs more than 60,000 people across the globe and generated sales of € 19 billion in 2016.
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