Marathon Sports - Running, Walking, Fitness

>5/2/13: New Balance 890v3 Boston Edition, 100% of Profits To THE ONE FUND


Marathon Sports and New Balance have teamed up to offer our customers an exclusive opportunity to donate to The ONE FUND Boston:

New Balance has scoured their warehouses for any remaining pairs of the 890v3 BOSTON Edition shoe, and have found 202 pairs total. They all live in our Boston store, and 100% of the profits from each pair sold will go directly to the One Fund. We apologize, but due to demand we cannot take any holds or reservations, and there will be no online sales; just show up and get yours in-store.

671 Boylston St
Boston, MA



Written by Stride Longley — May 02, 2013

>4/26/13: We're Open Again

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to the City of Boston and its incredible disaster recovery service teams for making our reopening on Boylston Street a number one priority. 

Their crews worked around the clock starting Monday, April 22, fully replacing our floor (see right) in the process, and as a result we were able to open our doors for the first time at approximately 2:00pm on Thursday, April 25.

Thank you to all those responsible for the cleanup and the restoration of the site: ARS Restoration for the complete and total overhaul of the retail space, 24 Trauma for the cleanup of the site both inside and out, and the City of Boston Department of Public Works. Your crews were fantastic, selfless, and worked their asses off in an extraordinary collaborative effort to get this job done quickly and professionally. Thanks to you all, we're back.

And huge thanks to the scores of loyal customers who showed up, showed their support, and helped to raise over $20,000 for the One Fund in our first day back in business. This community is rebounding together, galvanized, and running again. Boston Strong.


Written by Stride Longley — April 26, 2013

>4/22/13: 'Runners for Boston' Unites Running Communities Nationwide

UPDATE 5/2/13:

The initial run of 2,000 Runners for Boston tees has sold out. In fact, they officially sold out on Sunday, April 28th. We are in the process of sourcing additional t-shirts, and as soon as we know more, we'll let you know. Thank you for understanding, and for the incredible demand.

UPDATE 4/24/13:

Runners for Boston t-shirts are now available in Wellesley, Cambridge, Brookline, Melrose, Mansfield, and Norwell. To purchase the shirts, we are asking customers for a $20 donation, every single penny of which goes directly to the One Fund Boston. 

A few quick points: Availability of these t-shirts is limited; we have 2,000 shirts to go around, and we understand there will be considerable demand. We will do our absolute best to fulfill all requests, but at this time we will not be selling online or shipping these shirts. Thank you for understanding.

Our only goal with this initiative is to write a check for $40,000 to the One Fund by May 1st.

Lastly, these shirts will also be available in our Boston store upon its reopening.


PRESS RELEASE

 

‘Runners for Boston’ Unites Running Communities Nationwide

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – April 22, 2012 – Marathon Sports and the Independent Running Retailer Association (IRRA) are teaming up to show their support for those affected by the events at the Boston Marathon.

People across the country want to know how they can help and what can they do? Running specialty stores nationwide and their vendor partners have come up with a way for you to show your support for Boston.

Called simply "Runners For Boston".

Running specialty stores across America will be hosting a “Runners For Boston” fun run on Monday, April 22nd at 6:30pm. Runners for Boston is a nationwide fun run to bring the community of runners together and show support for those affected in Boston on Monday, April 15th.  On these runs, participants can wear past/present Boston Marathon gear, the iconic blue & yellow, or the “Runners for Boston” t-shirt graphic. (Please note Marathon Sports will be hosting its own runs in the near future

T-shirts will be available at Marathon Sports stores for $20.00 with 100% of the money going directly to http://onefundboston.org/. Please watch social media for further details on availability.

We are ONE running community coming together to support a community that is an iconic symbol of running in America and to the world - BOSTON.

About the IRRA:

The Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA) was formed to promote the interests of independent specialty running retailers. The organization provides a forum to achieve excellence through education, communication, advocacy, and member programs, while providing a support network to help running retailer business grow.

 

Written by Stride Longley — April 22, 2013

>4/22/13: Our Sincere Thanks

Above all, our thoughts go out to the victims and their families.

Marathon Sports would like to send its most sincere thanks to the City of Boston, its surrounding communities, and its residents and visitors; to Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick for their response, and their calm; to the courageous and heroic first responders who risked their own lives to save others in the face of terrible circumstances; to Boston’s fantastic medical community for its incredible preparedness and professionalism, which directly led to the prevention of greater loss of life; to all of the local, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency personnel who worked tirelessly in the days following the tragedy to help protect our fair city and bring a sense of justice and safety to us all; to the Boston Athletic Association for being a symbol of the competitive spirit despite overwhelming odds; and to the entire running community and industry, its vendors, retailers, and partners. 

We all stand as one, and we will run again. We are all boston.

 

 

Written by Stride Longley — April 22, 2013

>4/16/13: Our City Is Strong


This took too long to write, and in part it’s because there really are no words to describe how we all feel right now.

On this surreal Tuesday, in the immediate wake of this incredible, tragic, senseless act of violence that took place quite literally at our doorstep, we are deeply saddened for the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the multitude of victims. We send our prayers, thoughts, and positive energy to all who have been affected by this act.

As a company at the epicenter of the running community in Boston, we feel it is our duty to respond. We will not respond with any commentary on those responsible for the attack; that would merely validate their actions. We will focus instead on the incredible sense of solidarity, of unity, and of love within the running community and Boston at large.

We are incredibly grateful that the members of our staff on site at the time of the attack are, miraculously, safe, and we are proud of the individual decisions our staff made in the face of inconceivable circumstances. And the outpouring of prayers, offers of help, and love from all corners of the running world is heartfelt and appreciated.

The decision to help one another through tragedy can be instinctive, and those very instincts are native to the running community, and part of what makes it such a special group of people in the first place. While running is very much an individual sport in many respects, we all strive to celebrate and triumph together, united by a common pursuit. Whether celebrating a first 5k, a PR, or a lifelong pursuit of crossing the finish line on Boylston Street, we all train, race, and celebrate together.

And because of this, we will persevere. As Bostonians – which we ALL are on Marathon Monday, native or not – we are strong, stubborn New Englanders to the core. As runners – we are unified through love for one another, love for our sport, love for the thrill of crossing finish lines, and for (sometimes) beating the clock.

Yesterday’s events will cause us to cherish those triumphs all the more, in honor of those who no longer can. Know this: Boston will not stop running. We will run again, and we owe it to those who can’t.

#PrayForBoston and donate to the Red Cross

Marathon Sports

FIND MISSING PEOPLE

Mayor's Hotline - Call (617) 635-4500

Google Person Finder - http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions/

American Red Cross "Safe And Well" - http://www.redcross.org/find-help/contact-family/register-safe-listing

TIPS

If you have any information about this attack, please use the TIPS hotline - 1-800-494-TIPS

DONATE

And we are imploring all those who have the means to donate to the American Red Cross. Give money, or wait a week and give blood, it all helps.




Written by Stride Longley — April 15, 2013

>4/12/13: Expo Dispatches

As you might have guessed, Marathon Weekend is a busy time for us here at Marathon Sports. It's like Black Friday, the Holiday Season, and the Super Bowl all wrapped into one little burrito of running shoe madness, and it's fun as hell.
#bostonmarathonexpo

That said, our presence at the expo and in our stores means it's all hands on deck, and we get pulled in all sorts of crazy directions over the course of the weekend, which means our blog and online dispatches from the expo might be a bit on the sparse side. However, social media to the rescue!

Follow us on Instagram for up-to-date photos of the lunacy within the John Hancock Sports and Fitness expo (#bostonmarathonexpo) 

Also follow us on Twitter for all of the action in and around the booths with whom we are partnered for the event this year.

Keep us in the loop on Facebook with your experiences in and around the showroom floor, and if you get snap happy, find us on Pinterest!

Written by Stride Longley — April 12, 2013

>4/12/13: Marathon Weekend Extended Store Hours

As of this writing we're a mere 73 hours from the start of the 117th Boston Marathon, which means you're probably in a decent bit of panic over the whereabouts of your secret stockpile of Gu, your race number belt, and perhaps even your shoes.

Fear not! We're keeping all 7 of our stores open extended hours this weekend to cover all of your race day needs. Here's the skinny:

BOSTON

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 8:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 9:00AM 8:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 9:00AM 8:00PM
MON 4/15/13 10:00AM 7:30PM
TUE 4/16/13 9:00AM 7:30PM

BROOKLINE

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 11:00AM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 CLOSED
TUE 4/16/13 10:00AM 7:00PM

CAMBRIDGE

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 11:00AM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 10:30AM 7:00PM
TUE 4/16/13 10:30AM 7:00PM

MANSFIELD

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 11:00AM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
TUE 4/16/13 10:00AM 7:00PM

MELROSE

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 11:00AM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
TUE 4/16/13 10:00AM 7:00PM

NORWELL

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 10:00AM 6:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 12:00PM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
TUE 4/16/13 10:00AM 7:00PM

WELLESLEY

Day Date Open Close
FRI 4/12/13 10:00AM 7:00PM
SAT 4/13/13 9:00AM 6:00PM
SUN 4/14/13 11:00AM 6:00PM
MON 4/15/13 CLOSED
TUE 4/16/13 10:00AM 8:00PM

Please note: All stores on the marathon course except the Boston store will be closed on Monday, April 15th due to the race. The remainder will be open for normal business hours.



Written by Stride Longley — April 12, 2013

>4/2/13: Boston Marathon Vendor Activation

It's a geeky industry term for sponsored runs, form clinics, and the like. Basically anytime you see a table or a t
Wicked Pissah Saucony Portable Toilet
ent with a logo on it, it's activation. Here's some of what's coming your way in the lead up to the marathon.

BART FREAKING YASSO!
Tuesday, April 2nd kicks off the official marathon season ‘round these parts with Mizuno and Runner’s World sponsoring “A Brilliant Run Clinic” with running celebrity Bart Yasso. An enormous group run, post-run refreshments, giveaways, and some motivational chat with Yasso himself get the tone set for the craziness to come; click the Facebook link for more details.

GREEN CARPETS AND PORTABLE TOILETS!
Meanwhile, our good friends at Saucony are kicking things off in style with an exclusive Kinvara 4 Boston Launch Party on April 8th, which we’re calling our “green carpet event.”  We’ll have a Facebook photo booth set up for you to brag to everyone who isn’t there, too.

Those VIPs who reserved one of the Marathon Sportsexclusive Kinvara 4 Boston edition shoes will have the opportunity to pick up their new kicks, grab some light refreshments in-store, schmooze with fellow VIPs, and generally geek out about shoes. Starts at 8pm in our Boston store, and if you’re not in yet, it’s SOLD OUT.

For a special select few lucky VIPS, we will also be raffling off tickets to Saucony’s running industry party on Boylston street, which takes place Friday, April 12th.

Also, if you’re out on the course in the next two weeks and nature calls, our Saucony have strategically positioned a portable toilet on Comm Ave in Newton for your, er, utility on those tune-up runs.


GUERRILLA FORM CLINICS!
The good folks at Newton Running start their neon-clad assault on your eyeballs and running form on Thursday, April 11th from 8am-9am with a form clinic starting on the corner of Memorial Drive and Mass Ave inCambridge. These continue on Friday and Saturday, April 12th and 13th. Also keep your eyes peeled for Newton branded Pedicabs to help you save those precious legs before race day.

For all the rest of the vendor sponsored love, keep checking our blog for up to the minute details.

Written by Stride Longley — April 04, 2013

>4/2/13: The New North Face Better Than Naked Collection

Springtime apparel from The North Face now in, written by staffer Nick C

North Face Better Than Naked

As many seasoned runners and those new to the sport know, this time of year is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to getting outside for your miles. A blessing in that the sun is finally shining, the trails are dirt and grass again (mostly) and the roads are gradually looking less and less like a mix of glacial flows and chocolate Slush Puppies. A curse, however, in that as the temperatures rise, your desire to spin the legs outside is often frustrated by a continuous string of variable weather. Alas, such is springtime running in New England.

Thankfully, Marathon Sports is here to announce the addition of The North Face’s Better Than Naked jackets, shortsleeves, and singlets—as well as a few other springtime apparel options from this San Francisco-born outfitter—to our locations. All these TNF “Better Than Naked” products feature the brand’s “FlashDry” technology, a layer of microporous particles embedded in the fabric that increases its surface area in order to accelerate evaporative drying and cooling, which makes them perfect for both cool Spring Shower and warm May Flower runs.

The Women’s Better Than Naked Jacket from TNF (100% polyester ripstop body, 100% polyester mesh with FlashDry) is ultra-lightweight, wind and waterproof resistant, and comes with a perforated back panel as well as a drop tail to extend rear coverage on especially muddy runs. The Women’s Better Than Naked Short-Sleeve (100% polyester with FlashDry body, 95% polyester/5% elastane panel, 83% polyester/17% viscose panel) features the same lightweight, wind and waterproof resistant properties of the Jacket as well as stitchless seams and burn-out ventilation on the back, and the Women’s Better Than Naked Singlet features all of the same specs as the short-sleeve except in a race-ready piece. In the men’s line of these items, all of the specs are the same except in the Better Than Naked Jacket, which comes with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating that causes water to bead up, as well as an ambidextrous rear pocket.


In addition to the Better Than Naked line of tops, Marathon Sports now carries several The North Face shorts and, for women, with FlashDry), features easy-access pockets, energy gel pockets on the rear, and no inner thigh seam. (NOTE: The Better Than Naked skirtoptions. In men’s, the Voracious Dual Short (86% polyester/14% elastane with FlashDry, 100% polyester tricot, 7” or 9” inseam) comes with a built-in compressive short liner for a sleek internal feel as well as a zip pocket to store vital items on long runs. Its lighter little brother, the Better Than Naked Split Short (100% polyester ripstop body, 90 g/m^2 polyester mesh panel, 100% polyester liner 

And finally, for women looking to mix up training with some time on the yoga mat or to ensure maximum comfort in every area of their Split Short is available in select locations only.) In women’s, the Better Than Naked Split Short is slightly different material-wise from the men’s version (100% polyester body, 100% polyester panel, 5% elastane/95% polyester panel, 100% polyester with FlashDry liner) but comes with the same pockets and seamless inner thigh, while the Eat My Dust Skirt (86% polyester/14% elastane body, 100% polyester tricot panel) is a great alternative to shorts due to its “boy-short” liner with stow pockets as well as its “feminine ruched” side panels.

running gear, Marathon Sports now carries The North Face’s Tadsana Sunrise Tee (50% cotton, 50% polyester)—which comes with a burn-out print, and scooped neck and hem, and a regular fit—as well as the Stow-N-Go A/B High-Impact Sports Bra (92% polyester/8% elastane single jersey body, 90% polyester/10% elastane knit mesh panels, 88% polyester/12% elastane panels, 82% polyester/18% elastane knit panels, 100% polyester tricot mesh), which is a double-layered bra that offers modest coverage and features as internal storage pocket for keys, money, or energy gels.

As always, we’re more than happy to answer any and all apparel questions at any of our locations, so do come in soon. In the meantime, happy running!

 

 

 

Written by Stride Longley — April 02, 2013

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