• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Running Shoes

Jeff Benjamin visits the land of the Rising Shoes (ASICS America)

Jeff BenjaminbyJeff Benjamin
September 3, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

IMG_7416.jpgThe Sports Training Center that includes a basketball and volleyball court, fitness center, batting cage, showers and locker rooms, photo by Jeff Benjamin

IMG_7417.jpgRyan Hall photo, photo by Jeff Benjamin

RelatedPosts

For Shoe Geeks: the Brooks Hyperion MAX

For Shoe Geeks: The HOKA Rocket X

Cruz Culpepper and Paige Stoner Join HOKA NAZ Elite!

IMG_7418.jpgLoLo Jones photo, photos by Jeff Benjamin

ASICS is one of the oldest and finest companies in the performance running business. It is also the birthplace of Nike as Onitsuka (now ASICS) distributor in Western US was Blue Ribbon Sports, which became Nike. Jeff Benjamin visited their former US HQ, now a marketing center. Here’s his story:

The Visit To “The Land Of The Rising Shoes”!

IMG_7429.jpgJeff Benjamin at ASICS Distibution Center, photo by Jeff Benjamin

The name ASICS is an acronym for the Latin phrase “anima sana in corpore sano”, which translates as “Healthy soul in a healthy body”.

Founded in 1949 in Japan, the company known today as ASICS has been a consistent force in the Athletics scene, particularly for Runners and Track & Field Athletes, and not just for the Japanese either.

IMG_7419.jpgThe 10K Cafe, photo by Jeff Benjamin

American Running/Track Legends Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Jim Spivey, Steve Scott, Deena Kastor, Joe Falcon, John & Johnny Gregorek and Ryan & Sara Hall have all competed at the highest levels in the product. Marty Liquori was the first Sub-4 Miler who wore the ASICS brand. Lolo Jones, still chasing her Olympic dreams, competes in ASICS as well. ASICS also shook up the track world a few years ago as they signed youth Star Candice Hill at the age of 16 to a ten-year contract!

IMG_7420.jpgThe 10k Cafe, photo by Jeff Benjamin

In recent years the American Branch of the company has been run (pardon the pun!) by Former New York City Prep Star and Fordham Collegiate Mile standout out Gene McCarthy who, as a young runner pursuing the dream of a sub-4 Mile back in the late 70’s, was mentored by Liquori and rewarded with a 3:42.06 1500 performance, finishing behind Steve Ovett and Filbert Bayi in Jamaica in 1980. “The disciplined, goal-oriented mind frame I learned as a runner made me the first person in my family to go to college and got me to where I am today,” said the Bronx native and Van Cortland Park competitor, who also serves on the Van Cortland Park Conservancy Board.

IMG_7421.jpgRyan Hall statue, photo by Jeff Benjamin

It’s that sort of discipline and goal-setting that ASICS America seems to be growing upon as it looks towards the 2020 Olympics, which will be held in the backyard of the parent company.

IMG_7423.jpgJeff Benjamin with long time ASICS Marketing Manager, Jan Lester, photo by Jeff Benjamin

This writer was given the opportunity to check out the Irvine, California headquarters, which is now one of 2 in the United States, as ASICS has recently planted their foothold in Boston as well with a new corporate building and has offices in New York City.

As one can see from the pictures, “Sound Mind in A Sound Body” is not just a concept but a reality.

Author

  • Jeff Benjamin
    Jeff Benjamin

    Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.

    View all posts

Previous Post

2018 HOKA One One Postal Nationals Summer Training, Week Eleven, Day One, Your run for Labor Day

Next Post

Senior officials at Athletics Kenya diverted Nike payments, by Sports Integrity Initiative

Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.

Similar Post

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors
News

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…
Winter Training

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)
American Records

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year
African Athletics

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
American Records

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61, in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

January 29, 2023
Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!
News

Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

January 28, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
16m

Mike Foppen, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour,

Reply on Twitter 1619907562672979969 Retweet on Twitter 1619907562672979969 Like on Twitter 1619907562672979969 Twitter 1619907562672979969
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
23m

Adam Fogg, Under Armour, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour,

Reply on Twitter 1619905784749473792 Retweet on Twitter 1619905784749473792 Like on Twitter 1619905784749473792 Twitter 1619905784749473792
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
35m

Ben Flanagan, On Running, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #OnRunning, #dathanritzenhein,

Reply on Twitter 1619902869246775298 Retweet on Twitter 1619902869246775298 Like on Twitter 1619902869246775298 Twitter 1619902869246775298
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
38m

Samuel Firewu, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #adidasrunning,

Reply on Twitter 1619902011951947776 Retweet on Twitter 1619902011951947776 Like on Twitter 1619902011951947776 Twitter 1619902011951947776
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
42m

Willy Fink, Under Armour, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #underarmour,

Reply on Twitter 1619901110772289536 Retweet on Twitter 1619901110772289536 Like on Twitter 1619901110772289536 Twitter 1619901110772289536
Load More...
Next Post

Senior officials at Athletics Kenya diverted Nike payments, by Sports Integrity Initiative

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist