West Hartford’s Fleet Feet Sports celebrates the local running community through ‘The Power of Running.’

By Katie Cavanaugh

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Fleet Feet Sports has announced the launch of its “Power of Running” campaign that began on Aug. 1.

The marketing initiative kicked off on Aug. 1 at the 1003 Farmington Ave. location in West Hartford Center as well as online at www.fleetfeethartford.com. The campaign celebrates running for good, running together, running for fun, and running to inspire.

With four pillars and events including “The Power of Running For Good,” “Run Happy Power Hour,” “Recess Run,” and “The Power of Running to Inspire,” Fleet Feet hopes to encourage everyone in the community to come out and participate.

According to Michelle Kunik, director of Marketing and Community Events and Training Program coordinator at Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford, Fleet Feet events are designed for people of all fitness levels.

“One of the things I don’t think a lot of people realize is that we are a community of people who like to live fit,” said Kunik. “We love interacting with people of all kinds of athletic abilities”

“The Power of Good” is a nine-weekend charitable effort done in partnership with Nathan Sports, Superfeet, Balega International, adidas, New Balance, Asics, and Addaday. “Each week, over the course of nine weeks, we showcase a different product and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the products go to local charities.”

West Hartford Fleet Feet is donating their proceeds to the Channel 3 Kids Camp and the Achilles International CT Chapter. “The part that I like about it the most is that because each Fleet Feet is separately owned we are involved in our own communities,” said Kunik.

“Run Happy Power Hour” is an exclusive Fleet Feet Sports event created with Brooks Running that trys to show people what they can accomplish when they run together. “Fleet Feets across the nation are competing,” said Kunik. “We get as many people as we can to run as many miles as they can in the course of an hour. Then we add all of those miles together to get a total number.”

The first Run Happy Power Hour will take place on Aug. 30 from 9 to 10 a.m., but participants are encouraged to arrive at the Fleet Feet store at 8:30 a.m. for sign in.  The run will be followed by food, fun and prizes.

“Recess Run” is a a re-creation of the Presidential Fitness Test that many members of the community may remember from their school days. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. According to Kunik, Adidas will provide demo shoes for the workout as well as post event treats. 

As stated in a press release, “The Power of Running to Inspire” is a national nomination contest sponsored by Mizuno that will recognize runners and extraordinary community or personal impacts resulting from those runners’ efforts or stories. This effort kicks off later in August, and more details will follow.

The West Hartford location joins 149 Fleet Feet Sports locations nationwide in The Power of Running initiative.

For more information about West Hartford’s Fleet Feet Sports store, visit their website, Facebook page and Instagram account (@fleetfeetweha).

“All ages, all abilities,  we want everyone to know that we are a great place to be part of a fitness community,” said Kunik.

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