SportsShoes.com seals exclusive retail partnership with Parkrun

SportsShoes.com has announced a partnership with global community running event network Parkrun to become its official retail partner.

The partnership includes the sales and distribution of Parkrun’s range of merchandise, such as its ‘Apricot’ collection, and marks the biggest retail partnership SportsShoes.com has secured to date.

Parkrun, which was founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in 2004, is a collection of timed and free 5km and 2km events for runners and walkers of all abilities that take place every Saturday morning at over 2,000 locations in 23 countries, delivered by local volunteers.

The new deal means SportsShoes.com has the opportunity to support more than nine million registered park runners who form the Parkrun community across the world.

Brett Bannister, Managing Director of SportsShoes.com, said: "Parkrun has positively transformed the global running community and is built on solid foundations of inclusivity and wellbeing.

"Its mission aligns perfectly with ours at SportsShoes.com, which sees us always exploring new ways to support more people to lead happier and healthier lives through physical activity.

"This is our biggest ever retail partnership and will further support our international expansion strategy by placing our brand, products and expertise at the heart of the worldwide Parkrun community."

Russ Jefferys, CEO of Parkrun, added: "This new relationship with SportsShoes.com signifies an exciting step forward for Parkrun, as we work to improve the experience and retail offering for our global community."

The partnership will also allow SportsShoes.com Ultra members to add their Parkrun ID to their customer profile to access exclusive rewards, as well as expert advice and guidance.

Established in 1982, SportsShoes.com offers more than 17,000 products from 150 global running and outdoor brands including Brooks, Parkrun’s official global footwear partner.

Alongside parkrun, SportsShoes.com also has exclusive running events and community retail partnerships with England Athletics and RunThrough.

In December 2023, the retailer announced plans for a SportsShoes.com ‘Podium Festival’, a community running event with a £30,000 prize pot which will feature 1,000 runners and a ‘brand village’ housing 10 brands including Adidas, Puma and New Balance, taking place on 16 March 2024 in Leicester.