RIDC Media & Events Round Up March 2025
Running Insight released their list of 25 Women to Watch in 2025! Ambitious, entrepreneurial and energized, these women are prepared to leave their mark on the run specialty industry this year. We see a few women on this list that we admire! Congrats Kiera Smalls, Joy Allen-Altimare., Kathy Dalby, Jennifer McLaren, Tina Muir and the other amazing women listed!
“Running USA is calling on runners worldwide to participate in its 2025 Global Runner Survey, the most comprehensive annual study of the running community. This year, respondents will have the chance to win entries to four premier running events or one premium treadmill, making participation more rewarding than ever.”
Merrell has named Richard McLeod as chief marketing officer (CMO.) He will lead Merrell’s global marketing and direct the creation of integrated marketing capabilities. “Rich is widely recognized as a consumer-obsessed leader and builder of talent with a track record of growing brands through strong consumer demand creation and retail execution,” said Tennant. “Rich’s depth of experience will help position Merrell for long-term growth.”
The SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy (SSCA), America's first sneaker business and culture academy, is hosting a course titled SOLEcial Studies: Strictly For The Ladies. The course is an award-winning sneaker industry education program that focuses on "non-design" related jobs and careers. Students are taught about the history of sneakers, their marriage to Hip-Hop culture, as well as many of the important and lesser-known aspects of the sneaker business. Scholarship opportunities are available.
A pair of Black-run clubs are changing the GTA sports landscape. “Inspired by #RunWithMaud, she felt a pressing desire to act, to help create safe spaces for runners like Arbery, and like her. From that spark, Black Runners of the GTA was born. “The genesis was just focusing more on BIPOC runners,” she says. “And having a voice in the community”
Hey trail runners: those carbon plates in your running shoes might be holding you back, says new Salomon study. “According to their observations, carbon plates have no impact on energy expenditure while you're running on the flat, but may cause you to run less efficiently when you start climbing at trail running pace, meaning in the 7 to 8km per hour range (4.4 to 5 miles per hour).”