Running USA 2008 Conference Reaches Record Registration and Sponsorship
Annual "must" event for the sport in La Jolla, California, February 10-12

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Posted Thursday, 7 February, 2008

A record registration of more than 350 leaders in running is expected at the Running USA 2008 Conference powered by the Active Network and Gen-A Media & Marketing in La Jolla, California, February 10-12. The annual "must" event for the sport will feature outstanding speakers, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities as well as fun in the West Coast sun at the Hilton La Jolla, Torrey Pines.

"With record registration and sponsorship, we are again pleased to see as well as appreciate the strong response to and support of our conference, and the attendees should experience and enjoy our best conference yet," said Basil Honikman, CEO of Running USA.

Keynote speakers include:
* Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks Sports, Inc.
* Mike Gotfredson, CEO, Road Runner Sports
* Leslie Lane, General Manager, Global Running, Nike
* Tom Fox, Principal, Wasserman Media Group
* Dave McGillivray, Race Director, Boston Marathon / President, DMSE Inc.
* Andy Hersam, Vice President, The Runner's World Media Group
* Tom Raynor, Chairman, Fleet Feet Inc.
* Richie Woodworth, President, Saucony
* Craig Masback, Director of Business Affairs, Global Sports Marketing, Nike / former CEO, USA Track & Field
* Peter Englehart, CEO, Competitor Group Inc.
* Julie Main, President, West Coast Clubs
* Basil Honikman, CEO, Running USA

ING Hall of Champions Awards Dinner and Auction - Monday, February 11
One of the highlights of Running USA 2008 will be the Monday evening ING Hall of Champions Awards Dinner and Auction. The banquet will see the induction of the fifth class of Running USA's Hall of Champions which recognizes individuals who have made important and noteworthy contributions to the sport and business of distance running. Last year's inductees were: Judy and Dennis Ikenberry, Race Central, timing; Alan Jones, RunTime Software, technology and application; Tom Raynor, Fleet Feet, retail industry and Bart Yasso, Runner's World, race promotion.

The live auction will feature great items including a full-page national ad page in Running Times magazine, a VIP trip for two to the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, the popular Runner's World speakers package, an autographed jersey from New York Yankees great Derek Jeter, a registration to the 2008 IEG Sponsorship Conference in Chicago and a San Diego weekend getaway package. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Team Running USA and youth running programs. There will also be a silent auction with more outstanding items.

[B]Running USA 2008 Sponsorship Support Outstanding[/B[
Outstanding sponsor support from 28 leading running businesses and organizations has guaranteed that the Running USA 2008 Conference powered by the Active Network and Gen-A Media & Marketing will be a great experience for all attendees. Joining the Active Network and Gen-A in support of the conference are platinum sponsors ING, MapMyRun and realbuzz.com and gold sponsors Brooks Sports, Leslie Jordan, Inc., MarathonFoto and Saucony.

Silver sponsors include AFMInc / Heatsheets, AirDrives, Ashworth Awards, Athletes Lounge, ChampionChip, DAG System, Electric City Printing, emedia group, Gatorade, Her Sports Magazine, MarathonGuide.com, Maxwell Medals, Micro Talk Systems / J Chip, Runner's World, Visual Marketing Products, WearYourNumber.com, Winning Time and Youth Runner Magazine. SureShip and Chill Towels are bronze sponsors.

For more information, contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org or visit, for conference registration, a schedule, list of attendees and speakers and more: www.runningusa.org/conference/rusa2008.shtml

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