Running retailer organisation, the Running Specialty Group (RSG) has confirmed a strategic agreement with imATHLETE, the event registration company that is ‘changing the way event organizers engage with athletes.’ In addition, RSG President Bill Kirkendall will be appointed to the imATHLETE board of directors.
“This is an exciting alignment for RSG which will provide our team with a new perspective of the running community and enable us to connect, inspire and serve our customers in a new, more relevant way beyond our store walls,” said Kirkendall.
As data management and event services firm, imATHLETE boasts an impressive portfolio of clients including the GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon, ASICS Los Angeles Marathon and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. Through this latest agreement, RSG will be able to ‘meaningfully engage with athletes who share similar interests as RSG’s core customer.’
Additionally, imATHLETE and RSG will jointly create new opportunities surrounding training, event marketing and product offerings, all with a focus on helping people maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. In support of this agreement, RSG’s parent company, The Finish Line, has made an undisclosed financial investment in imATHLETE.
The Running Specialty Group (RSG) is an operating segment of The Finish Line. This includes 68 specialty running stores in 15 US states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, Richmond RoadRunner, Garry Gribble’s Running Sports, Run Colorado and Raleigh Running Outfitters banners.
“The RSG partnership plays a very important role in our continuous efforts to inspire athletes and enhance their healthy lifestyle,” said imATHLETE CEO Jeff Matlow. “RSG’s leadership in the specialty running industry combined with imATHLETE’s in-depth market knowledge of athletic behaviour unlocks exciting opportunities for the athlete’s overall experience.”
imATHLETE blends event registration, fundraising and e-commerce technology with the ‘social networking and gamefication inherent in running, triathlon, cycling and all participatory sports.’ Recognized as a key player in the increasingly competitive event registration space, imATHLETE technology is aiming to transform the relationship between event organizers and their participants.
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