From its humble beginnings in 1906, New Balance has certainly gone a long way. Today, the brand is known for its superior fit and innovative performance for an active lifestyle. It enjoys a prominent position in the running shoe market and has diversified into cross-training, walking, basketball, tennis, netball, soccer, kids wear, outdoors and casuals.
Evolving from the original New Balance Arch in 1906 to the Trackster (the world’s first performance shoe in multiple widths) in the 1960s to the breakthrough award in 1976 from "Runner’s World" for the 320 to the debut of an apparel line in 1978, New Balance has become a byword in sports as a brand that strives to bring the best products within the reach of everyone. And it’s virtually available in every corner of the world—to be precise, in 63 countries on six continents.
New Balance chairman and chief executive officer Jim Davis is upbeat about the future and has set a goal of $2 Billion in global sales by 2008. "As we enter our second century, we will focus on executional excellence in everything we do to achieve...sustainable growth over the long-term," he said. "We will continue to develop and introduce leading-edge technologies and innovative fit enhancements in all of our products."
Last February, New Balance kicked off its year-long Centennial celebration by staging the Run-All-You-Can Party and set in motion the activities that will lead up to two Filipinos joining the 100-member New Balance Global Centennial Team in the premier US running event, the La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon, this October.
The two Filipinos will be among over 3,000 runners in the local version of the New Balance Power Race, one of 50 all over the world, at the Fort in the Global City this morning.
The Power Race has been New Balance’s anchor event since 2002 and is the only partner race of New Balance International in the country. For the past four years, New Balance has rolled out the red carpet for athletes and the general-public running groups to test their skills, give their best performance and build an atmosphere of friendly competition and sportsmanship in a single event through the Power Race.
The categories in the Power Race are the 25K Open, the 25K age group, the 10K Open, the 10K age group, the Corporate Cup, the Intercollegiate level and the 5K Open leg for beginners.
To prepare beginners and intermediate runners for the Power Race, New Balance organized a series of Sunday clinics that started last April 16. Jimbo Saret, a sports medicine and performance enhancement specialist, was the resource speaker in the clinics and gave tips on the proper ways of running and choosing the appropriate shoes for every specific foot problem.
This morning’s event reels off with the 25K gun start at 5:30 a.m. The 10K and 5K races begin at 6. The ceremonial opening will feature a 100-flag salute showcasing the milestones of New Balance and an exhibition by an army of men. Special guests in the program include Planet Sports managing director Arun Bhardwaj, Planet Sports president Anton Gonzales and Planet Sports general manager Ronnie Colmenar.
Up for grabs in the Power Race are a total cash prize of P100,000 and P200,000 worth of gift certificates and gift packs. All participants will take home various giveaways from New Balance and event sponsors.
Special awards will be handed out to the Most Supportive Group with the biggest delegation, 100 runners with successful referrals and 100 runners wearing New Balance shoes.
The two lucky runners going to the Chicago Marathon will be selected from those who submitted a 100-word essay on what New Balance means to them and how it has changed their lives. They must register and run in this morning’s Power Race to qualify. Winners will be chosen based on the impact New Balance has made on their lives and creativity of their response. Each winner will receive a commemorative Centennial package and be featured on New Balance’s Centennial website.
The cut-off for the submission of the essays was last April 2. Planet Sports marketing manager Hannah Hingco said the best 10 essays have already been chosen and the two winners will be announced after today’s Power Race.
Last year, the elite runners who ruled the 25K Open category were Eduardo (Vertek) Buenavista and Christabel Martes. Both Buenavista and Martes will be back to compete this morning. Also competing in the 25K Open race are national athletes Cresencio Sabal, Rene Herrera, Mercidita Manipol and Joan Banaag.
Hingco said the Power Race is the perfect event to strengthen New Balance’s foothold on the local market by leaving a lasting impact.
" It’s not every day that one can enjoy the benefits of a healthy activity, be entertained and even get the chance to go to Chicago for a one-of-a-kind experience, all in a uniquely New Balance stylish fashion," said Hingco. "This offers an appropriate venue to test New Balance’s cutting-edge technology by joining the race. One look at the latest lines will show the radical improvement in the design and colors of our products."
The New Balance Power Race is a landmark event in the country’s sports calendar and deserves recognition for promoting health consciousness, a competitive spirit and the chance to step onto the world stage among Filipinos from all walks of life.