Bob Kennedy sells interest in Blue Mile running store chain, by Larry Eder (link to IBJ.com story)

Bob Kennedy and his wife, Melina, have sold their interests in Blue Mile Running Stores, a chain of five stores in Indiana and Louiseville, Kentucky to their former partners, Ashley and Andrea Johnson. 

Bob Kennedy, Pre Classic 04, photo by PhotoRun.net

The terms were not disclosed, per the article in the Indianapolis Business Journal, but Kennedy did say that he and his wife, the former Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, felt the time had come to look at new ventures.

Ashley Johnson a former prominent road racer and collegiate runner in the US, had previously worked at both the Portland Running Company (Portland, Oregon) and Marathon Sports (Boston, MA) for a decade, before developing the brand, Blue Mile, with Bob Kennedy. Andrea Johnson, Ashley’s wife, was a former Nike marketing manager and then worked for USA Track & Field in marketing until 2007, when she took a marketing role with Blue Mile. 

Kudos from the local running community on the stores and their mile racing series, a series of summer mile runs which started at their stores and ran to a local brew pub. 

Run Specialty business continues to be strong across the US. IBJ.com reported that, per Bob Kennedy, the former AR in the two mile,  3,000 meters and 5,000 meters and two time Olympian (92,96), Blue Mile was up 20 percent in 2012. The Blue Mile group of stores has done quite well in their markets over the past twelve years, since developing from one store in 2000. 

The company has stores in Fishers, Indiana (2004), Carmel, Indiana (2006), Greenwood (2007), and two stores in Louiseville, Kentucky (2010). Blue Mile has approximately fifty employees. 

Bob Kennedy was a five time World Championpship finalist in the 5,000 meters (91,93,95,97,99), two time Olympian at 5,000 meters (92,96), first non-African to break 13 minutes (12:58.21), and former AR at 2 miles (8:11.59), 3,000 meters (7:30.84 ) and 5,000 meters (12:58.21). He should be considered one of the greatest American distance runners of all times.