GOES BIG IN TEXAS TRE24
Record-breaking attendance and exhibit space let industry growth shine in Austin last month.
They say everything is bigger in Texas — and that was definitely the case late last month as The Running Event 2024 took over the Austin Convention Center with recordsetting attendance and, it must be said, as much excitement and activities that could fit into three days of a trade event. Held Nov. 19-21, the final TRE in its long-time home in Austin, TX – the ACC is being torn down and renovated, necessitating a move in 2025 down the road to San Antonio – was certainly one for the record books.
The numbers speak for themselves:
• TRE 2024 welcomed 4872 total verified attendees — a 20 percent increase from 2023.
• For the third consecutive year, the event grew in total attendance by at least 20 percent, from 3200 total attendees in 2022 and just over 4000 in 2023.
• The event showcased 336 brands,
The Running Event Photography: Justin Elledge, Max Photography
CHAFING SUCKS CHAFING SUCKS®
TRE24 Goes Big In Texas (continued)
including 111 new exhibitors.
• Exhibit space spanned 90,500-square feet, 15 percent larger than the previous year.
“The success of this year’s event demonstrates exactly what makes the run and outdoor industry so special,” says Christina Henderson, TRE event director. “Once again, we saw record-breaking attendance and our largest-ever exhibit hall, which is only a testament to the growth and excitement that is abundant in our industry right now. We’re proud of TRE’s role in that success.”
There were certainly a number of highlights during the three days in Austin, among them:
• Kicking off TRE24 was the third annual Trail Cleanup presented by ASICS. More than 250 attendees got up early to thank Austin for its support of TRE by picking up trash on trails along Lady Bird Lake. More than 600 pounds of garbage was collected and The Running Event donated one dollar for each pound collected to the Trail Conservancy.
• Speaking of getting up early, the annual Running Industry Diversity Coalition Community
Intelligence, Exit Strategies, Brand Rep Relationships, Social Media, Apparel in Run Specialty, Defining Store Culture, Female Runner Safety and, of course, Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith’s session on “101 More Ideas to Spark Your Run Specialty Store.”
cheers and congratulations from the overflow crowd. Special recognition went to the three other finalists for Store of the Year: Up & Running in Dayton, Fleet Feet Fayetteville and A Runner’s Mind.
• Once again TRE Live, hosted by PR Project, offered more than 30 interviews – all streamed live on FloTrack –throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
Run, powered by Saucony, once again brought out retailers and brands alike. The RIDC also sponsored The Cookout on Wednesday night that passionately (and loudly) celebrated diversity and inclusion within the run specialty community.
• A full day of 28 education sessions attracted hundreds of retailers learning about, among many topics, Artificial
Awards At #TRE24 ...
• Balega Ubuntu Award to Rebecca and Nathan Hohenstein, Tortoise and Hare Sports.
• Fearlessly Independent Award presented by New Balance to Fleet Feet Montclair.
• Saucony’s Run for Good Award to CT Running Co (formerly Ridgefield Running).
• On Impact Award to Mill City Running and Saint City Running.
• Brooks presented its Run Happy Rising Star Award to five women: Jenn Urban, Fleet Feet Nashville; Kristin Phillips, Fleet Feet Chicago; Lara Zacharewski, Gazelle
• The Tuesday Keynote Presentation was given by retail savant Johnny Cupcakes, who shared his story of failure and success, how to build a community at retail and, of course, how to sell T-shirts at a store called Johnny Cupcakes.
• The 2024 Store of the Year was awarded to =PR= Run & Walk. Owners Ray and Cathy Pugsley offered an emotional thank you for the recognition before celebrating with the rest of their staff.
• All of the 2024 Best Running Stores received their plaques amidst a cacophony of
• The Indie 5K x Cross Champs annual industry race was held on the Sound Running Cross Champs course at Camp Mabry and attracted hundreds of participants.
• Switchback at The Running Event brought together outdoor and trail-focused brands in a special section of the show floor. The outdoor concept goes on its own with the inaugural Switchback Spring in Nashville, TN, June 16-18, 2025, and will once again be an integral part of TRE25 next December.
The Running Event 2025 moves down the road to San Antonio, TX, December 2-4, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. n
Sports; Lauren English, Charm City; and Liz Coleman, Tortoise and Hare Sports.
• On the TRE show floor, Altra presented its inaugural Altra Award to Burke Beck, of Red Coyote.
• The 2024 Future Leader of the Year Award presented by Jogology was given to Harry Chandler, co-owner of Charlotte Running Company. The award celebrates an individual who has been a driving force in the run specialty industry.
• During the two days of TRE24 attendees voted on the Best New Product at the New Product Showcase on the show floor and the award (and a big $1000 check) went to Sur Nutrition n
Keynoter Johnny Cupcakes brought his message of creativity and community to TRE.
ON THE ROAD WITH JOEY
Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer relives his Summer 2024 journey visiting shops across America. / By Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith
It was all Ivy Pointer’s plan. At least that’s what her husband, Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer, says.
With a summer sabbatical from her role as an intensive care physician looming, Ivy Pointer suggested a special kind of adventure to her husband: a road trip to Fleet Feet stores across America. Joey Pointer initially shrugged off his wife’s suggestion, thinking it a far-fetched plan for a family with three children under age 16. The time. The expense. The upheaval to the daily cadence of life.
“Yeah, I thought it was crazy,” Joey Pointer says during a chat at The Running Event in Austin on Dec. 19.
Only Ivy Pointer – a former Fleet Feet outfitter who oozes energy – returned soon after with a detailed itinerary for her husband’s consideration. Suddenly, crazy had a thorough plan.
In June, the couple began a nearly seven-week road trip in a 21-foot Winnebago branded with the Fleet Feet logo. From June 24 to August 7, the Pointers traveled more than 12,000 miles on American roads, much of it with their three children in tow. From Los Angeles and across the Sun Belt to the Southeast, then back westward through the upper Midwest, the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest before returning to the City of Angels.
Along the way, Joey Pointer visited more than 50 Fleet Feet stores and met with hundreds of team members. Enriching and enlightening, the experience
solidified his passion for the swelling 48-year-old enterprise and sharpened his plans for pushing the Carrboro, NC-based company forward.
Listening and Learning
Pointer’s summer adventure included conversations with hundreds of franchisees, operators and retail staff. He participated in staff bowling and kickball games and team meals. He asked questions and listened intently.
“I wanted to meet franchisees, operators and employees and hear from them firsthand.
What’s going well? What are pain points or friction points we need to clean up?” Pointer says. “I wanted to see things with my own eyes.”
Pointer’s conversations and observations yielded findings now informing his priorities and Fleet Feet’s work. The visits spurred changes to corporate’s distribution of e-commerce supplies to retail stores as well as the company’s return policy. Pointer also unearthed a new mission: Urging footwear brands to shrink shoeboxes so stores can maximize stockrooms.
Pointer saw “the spirit of Fleet Feet” in action, too. In Tucson, AZ, he heard the story of a grandmother dancing on the retail floor in her new shoes. In Dallas, he learned of the local Fleet Feet’s efforts to raise money for an ill child. In Monroe, LA, Pointer discovered one outfitter used part of an inheritance from her mother’s passing to purchase Pete the Cat books and footwear for local children.
“The power of the brand is our people,” says Pointer, who even managed to hire Fleet Feet’s new chief financial officer, Amy Diebler, while in a parking lot of a Sinclair gas station somewhere out west. “You know — the one with the green dinosaur?”
Beyond his store visits, Pointer enjoyed other interactions delivering a stronger understanding of running’s evolution in the U.S. He met with the directors of Girls on the Run, an organization for which he sits on the national board. He traveled to multiple vendor headquarters, including stops at Nike in Portland, OR, and Brooks in Seattle.
In Denver, Pointer met Bailey Ness, the founding force behind Cooldown,
Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer sat down with Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith at The Running Event in Austin, TX, last month to talk about his seven week trip across America during the Summer of 2024.
Wicked Comfort is now available in both Crew and ¼ Crew styles.
These socks continue to impress the market, outperforming the competition with unmatched moisture-wicking, durability, and cushioning.
Travels With Joey (continued)
the self-described “social club disguised as a run club” that now boasts 15 lively chapters spread across the country. In Columbus, OH, he spoke at a youth crosscountry camp. At many stops, Pointer’s 15-year-old daughter led youth running clinics in conjunction with local Fleet Feet stores.
“Seeing her blossom was one of the great personal joys of this adventure,” Pointer beams.
Chasing Ambitious Goals
When Pointer started at Fleet Feet in 2004 as the company’s financial manager, he never imagined he’d reach 20 years at the company, let alone ascend to the CEO role 13 years later. He also never anticipated Fleet Feet’s robust growth. (He certainly never envisioned a cross-country journey in an RV, but that’s what it eventually came to!)
In fact, when Pointer joined Fleet Feet two decades ago, the company claimed about three dozen stores and $26 million in annual sales. With the opening of 13 new shops in 2024, Pointer says Fleet Feet will close the year with 278 stores across 40 states. Meanwhile, systemwide sales for the year are on pace to eclipse $500 million. His long-term goal is to reach 400 locations and $1 billion in sales.
“We’ve still got a long way to go to reach those targets, but I have zero doubt we’ll get there,” Pointer says.
To achieve that ambitious aim, Pointer is relentlessly and unapologetically focused on driving revenue “profitably, sustainably and exponentially.” He foresees opening 15 new stores in 2025, a mix of franchised and corporate-owned locations enabling Fleet Feet to maintain its roughly 70/30 split between
franchised stores and corporateowned retail spots. Incorporating – or “converting” – current independent run specialty shops into the Fleet Feet orbit continues to be a growth opportunity for the brand, while Pointer says the company is also exploring international expansion.
“We’re now at the size and scale for these discussions,” he says of opening retail locations beyond the U.S.
Other 2025 priorities include accelerating Fleet Feet’s digital business, especially since most customers start their product searches and discover Fleet Feet online, as well as strengthening Fleet Feet’s brand expression and identity.
“How do we ensure we’re inclusive and welcoming while simultaneously honoring our running heritage?” Pointer asks. “And how do we hit both of these markets with our marketing — and faster?”
To support Fleet Feet’s enterprising objectives, Pointer has continued surrounding himself with talent. In recent months, he’s introduced new roles and expanded the senior team, hiring new vice presidents to oversee IT, supply chain transformation, business operations and marketing and digital. He calls Fleet Feet’s culture “as strong as it’s been” in his 20 years at the company –and reason for daring optimism as Fleet Feet’s 50th anniversary beckons in 2026.
“The level of engagement, enthusiasm and collaboration we have right now is at an alltime high,” Pointer says. “And there’s a universal commitment to be bold and try new things that really excites.”
His recent 12,000-mile odyssey proved as much. n
One of Pointer’s goals for his cross-country adventure was to meet with as many Fleet Feet franchises as possible during his 12,000-mile odyssey.
SCENES FROM JOEY POINTER’S JOURNEY ACROSS AMERICA
Beyond visiting Fleet Feet stores, Joey Pointer’s Summer 2024 road trip included visits to a youth running camp and unique scenes from the American landscape. At the end of the nearly seven-week adventure, Pointer’s wife, Ivy, retained her energy and enthusiasm. Pointer, on the other hand, was spent.
Best Feet Forward
Aregular column I penned in the 1990’s was called Mostly Shoes. Appropriately, that same description could be applied to The Running Event 2024, held Nov. 19-21 in Austin, TX.
More than any other piece of equipment, our daily runs are influenced by footwear. The result of our Marathon Dreams is directly affected by footwear — and footwear performance plays the most critical role in the success of our running goals and dreams. On that level, TRE24 had it all on the running shoe front.
The major players were there in force, as well as a broad array of the lower tiers, including start-ups, small brands and niche players for both road and trail. Running specialty is a vital channel, serving everyone from dedicated competitive runners to walkers, from referrals from knowledgeable podiatrists to recommendations from physical therapists. The job of footwear buyers is to select what will sell, the essence of what their customers are looking for.
The Running Event features what run specialty looks for to fill those roles and the annual event is one part bazaar, one part family reunion and one part educational symposium. It features what runners look for in their running equipment, so let’s dive into just some of what I found to be the more important running footwear stories told in Austin last month.
361 Degrees Hybridization is often an effective strategy to benefit the needs of runners. The offerings from 361 have shown a trajectory that has been a steady climb with quality technology that won’t break the bank. The Furious 2 is the second round of a hybrid racer/trainer that combines carbon fiber and PEBA plates with quality foam
to create a super trainer that is worthy of consideration.
ASICS A team of Japanese specialists from Kobe, Japan, traveled to Austin for presentations delivered by key personnel. The pinnacle was the presence of footwear legend Kiachiro Kayano, or more appropriately Kayano-san. His vision and innovation has brought out iconic ASICS shoes, most notably the Gel-Kayano, worn by countless numbers of runners worldwide. The brand has significantly influenced many of the running footwear categories and sub-categories of the industry.
Brooks Earlier this year, Jim Weber handed off the CEO role to Dan Sheridan with the precision of an Olympic Gold Medal relay performance, resulting in continued progress without missing a beat. So many solutions in road, trail and track — at levels to match runners of every ability. Their supercritical foam, like other brands across the industry,
offers outstanding durability and a tune-able ride that is superior to the previous foam formulations. The Glycerin Max, shown at the show, has literally taken the brand to new heights, with performance for walkers, casual runners and dedicated daily runners as well as elite performers.
Craft The change in top leadership and a cross-country move has not slowed the performance of Sweden’s top running brand in North America. The new Kype racing shoe has shown the expertise and cutting-edge design the brand has become known for, with race-day performance as well as an eye-catching design and colorway.
Diadora The approach that the Italians bring to footwear is the crossroads of technology and artistry — and then let’s share an espresso while admiring their effort. The new Frequenza 2 blends style and performance, with top notch materials as a bonus.
Footwear – from brands large and small, old and new – once again played a key role at TRE24. / By Cregg Weinmann
Running footwear brands were again at the core of The Running Event 2024 in Austin, TX, last month.
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Hoka The brand that literally changed the shape of the industry continues to impact the running footwear landscape. Co-founder Jean-Luc Diard was an active observer, walking the show, and encounters were frequent. The updates keep coming and the pervasive presence of the brand was unimaginable a decade ago. Comfort really is king.
Hylo The notion that a running shoe company could come from a tangent outside of the sport seems unlikely. Hylo, thanks to social media, and something different from a new brand, seems to have sprung fully formed and attractive to runners, particularly those who may be new to the sport. Founded by a former English professional soccer player (yeah, they run too), the quality and appeal are present in equal parts. Another choice on the shoe wall might be the thing customers are looking for, after all, different strokes...
Joma The arrival of Joma to TRE has been a long time coming. Their focus on the two European powerhouses of Football (soccer) and Athletics (track and field) seemed well suited to advance the choices offered to the American public, especially with a domestic focus on the Olympics, bigcity marathons and a road race nearby almost every weekend. Well, wait no longer. At TRE Joma featured their complete running line and they had a little something for the varied tastes of the running public.
La Sportiva Intentionality guides La Sportiva’s lineup, and two new items bring the brand up to speed in the Speed
category. The Prodigio Pro and the Prodigio Max are running mates that provide the oomph and vavoom ends of the Mountain Running spectrum. The Prodigio Pro represents the performance racing, while the Prodigio Max handles the mountain running bookend.
Mizuno Who amongst us doesn’t need a meditative moment now and again? Mizuno’s new shoe encourages a moment of reflection on the run, and is appropriately named the Zen. Having run in Japan in a cold rain during the Tokyo Marathon, meditation played no small part in completing the marathon distance. The Zen’s great foam, comfortable upper and distinctive look makes for a promising combination.
Nike Nike’s presence at TRE hearkens back to the early days of the show. It was evident in a bit more reserved approach (not always Nike’s style), as their company-wide reorganization places a greater emphasis on the running category. Nike certainly has the horsepower to make their running category great again, which will be necessarily enhanced through needed partnerships with running specialty. Their key personnel were making that message clear in Austin, and their core footwear – some truly iconic styles – will determine the effectiveness of this return.
NineTen NineTen is the number one domestic running footwear brand in Indonesia. The Haze is their plated racing shoe presented at The Running Event. The growth of footwear products for marathon performance has
Hyperion
Craft Kype Pro
Diadora Frequenza
exploded in the past decade with no signs of stopping and on the right feet (and the left) the more options, the better. The science has validated the foams, the plates, and the specs, so who’s to say where the next sleeper brand is coming from.
On The progress of On’s very effective running line has spread to the mainstream in a big way, from the walking paths to the podium of the marathon majors. Is their robot manufactured marathon shoe the low hanging fruit of the brand? Perhaps, but very cool. The process on the big screen and attendant samples in their booth were mesmerizing. We have seen the process of computer aided manufacturing for a couple of decades and it is as fascinating now as when I taught Computer Programming — back at the
turn of the century. It will be interesting to see where the On robot goes next.
Topo The brainchild of industry veteran Tony Post, the brand has steadily grown from one shoe to a lineup, focused on performance, quality and top-end value. Whether on the trail, road or in between, the Topo shoes have shown their performance and quality, which has given them a presence that builds with each season. This year they’ve added a taller stack shoe, the Vista, which features a 38mm stack height. Give the people what they want.
Tracksmith Taking inspiration from Ivy League running from a century ago, combined with modern materials, Tracksmith began with apparel and moved into footwear last year. The Elliott features supercritical PEBA foam
and an old school ethos to recall the roots of the sport.
True Motion The German startup featured a small booth featuring several models of shoes with scientific data and performance to back them up. Released previously in Germany and some surrounding markets, the concept is based in science that has been affirmed by research studies at the University of Frankfurt, Germany.
Veloci A shoe with a story can make an impression — and Veloci has a story beginning with its founding by Rice University distance runner Tyler Strothman. While it looks like many of the tall stack shoes, the stack is intended to improve the ride for runners who need more balanced cushioning to handle the mileage needed for higher level performance. The 10 millimeter drop is easier on connective tissue than
the 4 millimeter or 0 drop models of some brands.
VJ The trail shoes from VJ have gone through a transformation, which highlights the changes that are currently possible. That transformation is a makeover to a modern silhouette, while also improving performance, thanks to the ride afforded by the improved midsole geometry and upper fit.
X Bionic Known for their compression wear and socks, the German brand unveiled a sock/ shoe concept that requires some thought to grasp the details. The socks and shoes complete the system and the shoe has a low profile and a snug fit. The tread appears to be low profile, but the ride challenges the feel of conventional shoes. Wear testing will bear out the rest of the story, but their compression wear has been a favorite. n
Clockwise from top left: Joma R2000, Mizuno Zen, On Running Lightspray, X-Bionic, Veloci and Topo Vista.
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THE RUNNING EVENT IN WORDS AND PICTURES
It was a great three days in Austin for #TRE24. Here’s a look at some of the fun!
There certainly was no shortage of characters at TRE, including (clockwise from top left): 10 Seconds and Funk Fighters dressed the part; keynoter Johnny Cupcakes (left) and Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith found their own treats; Embark attracted some well-deserved attention; and, of course, goodr brought their unique looks.
A PDA was certainly in order as the wife and husband team of Cathy and Ray Pugsley of =PR= Run & Walk accepted the 2024 Store of the Year award.
In top photo, Jogology’s Tonya and Bert Pictor presented the 2024 Future Leader of the Year Award to Harry Chandler (center), co-owner of Charlotte Running Company. The award celebrates an individual who has been a driving force in the run specialty industry. In bottom photo, Altra’s Stacey Chick (right) presented the inaugural Altra Award to Burke Beck, of Red Coyote.
This guy on the
from
didn’t move all week, apparently for good reason. Meanwhile, at right an intrepid soul b
Below, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition spread its message of inclusion and community during TRE.
left
Butt Napkins
proofness of Gorewear apparel (FYI: it works!).
The all-day Tuesday education program was capped off with the first-ever Brand Leaders session featuring Dan Sheridan (Brooks), Joy Allen-Altimare (Saucony), Robin Green (Hoka) and Jen McLaren (Altra), all brought together by moderator and Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith. Meanwhile, below Spring Faussett of Tiger Tail and Kristy Morris of Sneakers4Good raised their products to new heights while talking about “Happy Muscles” and sneaker recycling.
Clockwise from top left: Stephanie Lee had a purpose for talking about socks and other essentials at OS1st; Paradis Sport brought their seamless and comfortable women’s running underwear out into the open; Jeff Rodgers and the Pro-Tec cowgirls used a western theme to explain its new Force Mini with FlexEdge, billed as the “next generation of recovery;” and Tracksmith’s Courtney Akerley showed off the brand’s trend-right running apparel and footwear.
Photo: © Naumann Film. © LOWA Boots, LLC
Above: While Nix Biosensors had people run the equivalent of a marathon or two on a treadmill, other attendees took a few minutes out to recover at Therabody. Below, it was all about education on Tuesday and in the Training Camp Theater, with topics ranging from Management, Brand Building, Artificial Intelligence and Social Media.
The Indie 5K x Cross Champs early on Thursday morning provided some dramatic scenes for the hundreds of runners at Camp Mabry. The Indie 5K participants had the opportunity to navigate the same course as the professionals — moving off of the road and onto the field and, apparently, a U.S. Air Force runway.
More than 250 attendees helped kick off TRE24 on Tuesday morning at the annual Trail Cleanup sponsored by ASICS, where they collected more than 600 pounds of trash of all types from trails around Lady Bird Lake. Below, Sur Nutrition was the New Product Showcase winner and was rewarded with a large check for their efforts.
Above, The Running Event team gathered for a group photo as they celebrated at the Thursday night Awards Dinner at the Austin Hilton. And to get everyone in the mood for the move of The Running Event 2025 down the road to San Antonio, a mariachi band entertained attendees as the show closed on Thursday afternoon. See y’all there!
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