RIA To Induct Four Into Run Specialty Hall of Fame

Four industry veterans, including Mark Sullivan, co-founder of The Running Event and the former editor of Running Insight, will be inducted into the Run Specialty Hall of Fame during the opening reception at the RIA member summit, Runchella, in Chicago, on May 8, 2023.

Joining Sullivan in the Class of 2023 will be retailers Pete and Jan Sweeney, of Fleet Feet Sacramento, along with Ted Goodlake, of On Running.

The Hall of Fame was initiated in 2006 and since then there have been 50 inductees, including industry leaders such as Don Lucas from Luke’s Locker, Ellen Wessel, the founder of Moving Comfort, and Fred Lebow, the long-time director of the New York City Marathon.

The intent of the award is to spotlight individuals pushing the run specialty channel forward by contributing to the health and prosperity of the industry. Whether through innovation, leadership or peer support, each inductee has made run specialty better in a unique way.

“The RIA is thrilled to reboot this important recognition in 2023 after a multi-year hiatus,” says Terry Schalow, RIA executive director. “This year’s inductees have been pivotal to run specialty, and I’m personally excited to be a part of honoring them at Runchella in front of their industry peers.”

Starting in 2023, the RIA will manage the nomination and selection process as the industry’s trade organization. This year, nominees for the three categories (brand, retailer and industry influencer) were vetted by the Hall of Fame committee, chaired by John Benedict, and made the final appointment.

For the 2024 class, members and non-members will nominate industry standouts based on their contributions and the committee will cast a final vote.