The fall marathon season is beginning, and Strava, the popular run-mapping app, is partnering with New Balance to give away free shoes as part of the 'Back Half Challenge.' Anyone who finishes an accredited 42 kilometer race has the chance to win a pair of New Balances.
While there's no draw involved (i.e. anyone who can finish a marathon can in theory win a pair of shoes,) the Back Half Challenge adds a sinister twist on top of even finishing a marathon. Entrants will need to not only finish, but finish with a negative split, which is when the second half of one's race is faster than the first half. That might sound simple, but think of it this way: runners need to run 21 kilometers, and then they need to speed up and run 21 kilometers again.
Marathon Shoe Giveaways
Strava and New Balance are Giving Away Shoes for the Back Half Challenge
Trend Themes
1. Marathon Challenges - Creating unique challenges within marathon races to engage and incentivize participants.
2. Athletic Sponsorship - Partnering with fitness apps or organizations to offer branded products as rewards for achievements.
3. Negative Split Training - Emphasizing the importance of improving speed in the second half of a race through specific training methods.
Industry Implications
1. Fitness Technology - Developing and integrating fitness apps and tracking devices for personalized challenges and incentives.
2. Athletic Footwear - Partnering with fitness apps and competitions to promote brand awareness and loyalty through product giveaways.
3. Sports Training - Offering specialized training programs and plans that focus on improving race performance and achieving negative splits.