From Nike, the world’s leading sports brand, comes an exclusive release by De La Soul, one of the most influential hip hop bands of the last two decades.  Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul’s groundbreaking debut record, ARE YOU IN?: Nike+ Original Run is the groups’ first-released original material in five-years. The record is only available through iTunes, and is part of a continuing series of releases through the “Nike+ Sport Music” section of the store.

With additional production by Chicago-based DJ/Production-duo Flosstradamus, ARE YOU IN?: Nike+ Original Run is a unique album written specifically for runners, but its allure extends to all music fans. Posdnuos of De La Soul explains, “When we first heard about this project we were psyched on the challenge. We pride ourselves on being able to get bodies moving, so it was cool to do it with a specific goal in mind – giving runners the sonic fuel to clock some miles.”

ARE YOU IN?: Nike+ Original Run is a continuous full-length body of music that reflects the arc a runner experiences during a run. Commissioned by Nike, this is the fifth release in the Nike+ Original Run series following releases by artists such as A-Trak, Aesop Rock, LCD Soundsystem and Crystal Method.

The release also features cover artwork by famed designer Joe Buckingham and an exclusive single.

Runners and fans alike can buy De La Soul’s ARE YOU IN?: Nike+ Original Run at the Apple iTunes Music Store for $9.99. Download the album April 28th at:  www.itunes.com/nikedelasoul.

About Nike + iPod

Nike + iPod now provides motivation to runners in 180 countries around the world. The Nike + iPod Sport Kit allows Nike+ Running shoes to talk wirelessly to an iPod® nano or an iPod® touch. Information on time, distance, pace and calories burned is displayed on the nano or touch and can be easily stored on www.nikeplus.com. Runners can also stay motivated by setting goals, challenging others to virtual races or to reach specific goals, connecting with friends, and using the Nike+ Coach features on www.nikeplus.com.

As of January 2009, Nike+ members have logged more than 100 million miles, the equivalent of 200 trips to the moon. Since launch in July 2006 over 900,000 challenges (908,935 and counting) have been created, more than 1.7 million goals (1,732,653 and counting) have been created, and more than 140,000 training programs (141,819 and counting) have been launched on www.nikeplus.com. About Nike SportMusic

Launched on June 29, 2006 by Nike, the Nike SportMusic store on iTunes is the definitive source of musical inspiration and audio coaching for athletes. It’s more than music. Nike + iPod Coaching Workouts feature star athletes like Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, and artists like OKGO guiding you through a run or an exercise session while engineered PowerSongs rev you up. De La Soul’s ARE YOU IN?: Nike+ Original Run is the fifth release in the Original Run series, which includes exclusive workout albums by A-Trak, Aesop Rock, LCD Soundsystem and Crystal Method.

About The Artists

Posdnuos, Trugoy the Dove and Maseo formed De La Soul in the late 80s while still in high school. The band’s debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was released in the spring of 1989 and garnered commercial and critical success, showcasing their unique lyrical style and writing with the sounds of funk, soul, pop, jazz, reggae, and psychedelia. Today De La Soul remains one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the past 20 years.

Flosstradamus, the oft-mentioned Chicago DJ duo comprised of J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) have been dominating the party scene nationwide with their tag-team DJ sets (3 turntables, 2 mixers) since 2005. Gathering vast influences from their respective backgrounds in punk and hip-hop, Flosstradamus have brought normally divided crowds together with their unique mixes of Baltimore club, hip-hop, house, obscure remixes, punk rock and juke.  Flosstradamus have toured internationally with A-Trak, Chromeo, and Kid Sister, J2K’s sister, who they also perform live with. Flosstradamus have produced and remixed original tracks for Kid Sister and have recently remixed Bloc Party, Mates of State, The Cool Kids, Matt and Kim, Heartsrevolution, Walter Meego and many more. They have also recently collaborated with Caroline Polachek of Chairlift for a Green Label Sound release.

For the past 20 years, designer Joe Buckingham has continued to design and create music packaging, sportswear graphics, web graphics, corporate identities, branding, and print and provides design consulting services through his company ArtilleryDS. Two of his most popular works, De La Soul is Dead and Saturdays, have became highly recognizable pieces of cover art and to this day are still considered iconic in the urban music genre to this day.

About Nike

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and
youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

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adidas and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) are celebrating their 20-year partnership with a contract extension that keeps the brand as the Official Supplier and Outfitter of the Boston Marathon for years to come.  Looking forward, adidas and the B.A.A. will be together for the B.A.A.’s 125th anniversary in 2013, and the historic 125th running of the Boston Marathon in 2021.   

This year, adidas will again supply the coveted official Boston Marathon jacket and will outfit more than 10,000 race volunteers, media members, medical personnel, race officials and staff. In addition, the extension expands on the adidas role to include exclusive rights to manufacture, distribute, promote and sell B.A.A. branded apparel.
“The Boston Marathon is the world’s most prestigious road race. Runners of all levels travel to Boston each April to run, cheer or simply watch history being made. As a running brand it is the place to be,” said Patrik Nilsson, President, adidas America. “The Boston Marathon is a key platform for us to introduce new products and technologies, and we look forward to more opportunities to build on the traditions surrounding this race with runners and fans alike.”

When adidas first sponsored the Boston Marathon in 1989, the race had 6,458 entrants; this year it will have 26,400. The B.A.A. and adidas will continue to create comprehensive and proactive community outreach programs to serve and promote sports in the city of Boston.  Currently, the two entities partner on programs such as clinics for Boston-area runners throughout the year and the B.A.A. Kid’s Relay Challenge, conducted over marathon weekend.

“The partnership between the B.A.A. and adidas has strengthened the Boston Marathon in ways that not even we could have predicted,” said Guy Morse, B.A.A. executive director. “We have been able to inspire, motivate and create products, events and programs that are consistent with the Boston Marathon’s prestige and history. Since we joined efforts in 1989, adidas has been with the B.A.A. and with runners every step of the way.”

2009 Boston Marathon Product
adidas running product will be on sale at the adidas booth at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo inside the John B. Hynes Convention Center and at local Boston retailers including Marathon Sports, City Sports, New England Running Company and the Greater Boston Running Company. The full line of product can be purchased online at www.shopadidas.com.

•  In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original partnership and the running of the 113th Boston Marathon, adidas designed a limited edition B.A.A. Supernova Sequence 2 running shoe. The limited-edition shoe features a unique colorway with the iconic B.A.A. unicorn logo. Only 800 pairs of the shoes were created. The shoes retail for $100 and are available at the Boston Marathon Expo, Marathon Sports, City Sports, New England Running Company, the Greater Boston Running Company and www.shopadidas.com.
• All runners should have the chance to show off their accomplishment and adidas and the B.A.A invite them to do that with the Official Race Jacket of the 113th Boston Marathon. Featuring ForMotion apparel technology that optimizes performance and fit, this jacket offers greater comfort and freedom of movement. The ClimaProof lightweight shell allows heat and sweat to evaporate while keeping cold air and wind away from the body. The jacket retails for $90 and is available for men and women.
• For the first time, Marathon finishers will have the chance to create a personalized t-shirt after the race through adidas and partner SpreadShirt.com. Finishers can visit the site to select from various colors and styles and also can incorporate the official B.A.A Marathon logo as well as their finishing time on select designs.

About the Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification).

About adidas
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world. Brand adidas is part of the adidas Group, a corporation that also includes Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport. Some of the players in adidas’ roster of athletes include: Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Jeremy Wariner, Allyson Felix, Shawn Johnson, Candace Parker, Reggie Bush, Tim Duncan, Ryan Howard and David Beckham.

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Putting on an END shoe the first time is an interesting experience.  The shoe sounds like it is made of paper.  There is a obvious crinkle in the tongue and heel. when you put it on.  The shoes also seem incredibly light for the obvious bulk.  Once on, there is a conspicuous lack of padding in the sock liner.  That is part of the END belief in using only what is necessary.  The shoe is constructed of a mix of new and recycled materials.

The OTG is described as “Light and fast performance training/all-around shoe for the road-oriented runner in need of a bit more medial support.”  The medial area of the shoe is the inner arch.  The posted support comes from the shape and type of material used for the outsole.  The arch itself is on the flat to medium level.  This was fine for our testers with low arches.  Our runners with higher arches were limited to middle distance runs.  The lack of arch support and padding combined for a painful experience after about four miles.  Adding an orthotic insert might solve the problem, but it negates the material and weight advantages.

Over all, the shoe works well for it intended purpose.  It is definitely not as comfortable as our reference shoes, but it is a reasonable compromise.  At $90, it is in the low side of high end running shoes.  We think that the END Footwear philosophy of sustainable and recycled materials is very important.  Reducing materials is good for business and for the environment.  Recycling them is even better.  We would be willing to pay a premium or accept a bit less padding in support of those ends.

END Footwear is a small company based in Portland.  Founded in 2007, partners Andrew Estey and Ben Finklea created a footwear company based around sustainability and environmental responsibility.  The first shoes entered the market in 2008 and a full line in 2009.  Currently, they offer shoes for trail running, road (like our OTG above) and water.

“END has created a new segment in footwear where we combine the performance, durability and comfort of an athletic shoe, while questioning each design, material and manufacturing process to ensure our gear is sustainable,” said Ben Finklea, co-founder and VP of Sales and Marketing.