My personal mantra for the flrunners.com Invitational since day one, ten years ago, has been "more than just another race". I have always sought to make the meet an engaging and fun experience that celebrates competitiveness but at the same time just the love of the sport and having fun. Every year I believe we are getting closer and closer to that goal.
Nike has been a huge help in trying to make that a reality. We want you to circle the weekend on your calendar, look forward to it all year, and then years later after you graduate still be able to look back and say man that was a great experience!
Reviewing what we've done in the past with Nike over the summer, we talked about what worked and what didn't. This year we are doing something different and I think knocking it out the park. There is nothing in the gym this year, it's all out on the "midway". And there is no long hard sell before Lauren Fleshman takes the stage. She's going to be there hanging out. All of the stuff that Nike has going on under their HUGE tent they're bringing out is just going to be a blast.
More to come on the specific plans.... but you'll love it!
- Jason Byrne, flrunners.com Founder
NIKE RELEASE
Nike and FLRunners Invitational have just one question for you...
Where Are All The Rock Star Runners?
Think festival. Think Big Top Tents. Think Lollapalooza for XC harriers. That’s what we’re bringing to the table for FLRunners 10 presented by Nike. This year Nike will have so many cool things to see and do under their “Nike Big Top” tent, you may forget your race start time!
All day Friday, Nike will have the Big Top rockin’ with tons of cool offerings. Wander inside the Big Top and check out the LunarGlide Experience, the Nike+Sportband Experience, try out your skills at customizing your own XC team uniforms, learn how to get in on Nike Team Regionals and Nike Cross Nationals, or have the Nike XC guys take you through Gait Analysis where you’ll learn if your neutral or an overpronator. If you don’t know what that means, you should probably stop by! Oh yeah, there are PLENTY of free giveaways at each area of the Big Top!
For those in need of “retail therapy”, Running Zone of Melbourne will be in the Big Top tent selling Nike running products like the new LunarGlide+, Lunaracer+, XC spikes, apparel, and more! Plus, there will be a Nike T-shirt Bar where you can heat-press customized words free on any purchased t-shirt. (Customizing a non-purchased t-shirt will be $2)
That’s not enough you said? You want food you say? Perfect, we have that covered too. Nike and Believer’s Deli are going to be grilling it up under the Big Top as well. Come by and grab hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled chicken, and lots of delicious sides then grab a spot to sit in the Athlete Lounge and enjoy. The cost for a plateful of goodness (one meat and two sides) will be only $5! Just make sure to get there early, first come first serve. Food will be served between 5-7:30pm Friday night under the Nike Big Top.
You still want more?! Need some entertainment during your Friday Night Grill Out? We thought you would never ask…
At 6:30pm, FLRunners and Nike’s special guest Lauren Fleshman will begin presenting awards for all of the rock star runners from Friday’s races.
Directly after awards, Nike will present “Where Are All the Rock Star Runners”. This will be a show that you will be a part of.
Nike wants to find 3-4 “bands” to compete in a RockBand video game style “Battle of the Bands” up on stage. Yes, you heard correctly. Form a “band” with your teammates, come up with a killer band name, and you can have a chance to be chosen to compete and prove who the real Rock Star Runners are! Oh yeah, the top team will get brand new Nike Running kicks!
Now get ready to have your mind blown all over your face! Nike will have one of their “Rock Star runners”, the beautiful and talented Lauren Fleishman, at FLRunners for the Friday Night show. This won’t be just some speech; Lauren is going to also judge the Battle of the Bands! That’s right, you may get the opportunity to get the “thumbs up, thumbs down” from Lauren Fleishman in front of all of your friends. Of course, she will also talk about her journey as a professional runner and even sign autographs. This will be a show you don’t want to miss! Other surprises to come…..
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren is a California native who attended Stanford University. During her time at Stanford she was an All-American 15 times. She won the NCAA 5K Championship 3 times in a row and she holds the collegiate record in that event. After finishing second in 2005, in 2006 she won the 5000 meter USA Outdoor National Championship.
She has been struggling with injuries for the past two years and is now healthy, training, and primed for a big comeback in 2010!
Her personal bests:
1500 Meters - 4:05.62
3000 Meters - 8:43.92
5000 Meters - 14:58.48 (!!!!!)
Beyond her running successes, she has enjoyed a large following from the running community and is one of Nike's most popular athletes. She is known for a spontaneous, even crazy, personality and you all will have lots of fun with her.
She will also be able to impart some great experience when she speaks and answers qusetions... she has both enjoyed amazing highs and sucecss... and had to deal with some low times such as injuries and just missing the Olympics.
Get to know Lauren before the meet by following her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurenfleshman