The New England-based running company, Karhu, has signed on to be the official 2013 shoe and gear sponsor for the NE Distance project.
Established in 2012, the NE Distance Athlete-in-Residence Fellowship is a new innovative program with a unique dual mission to promote health and wellbeing among youth while providing support to post-collegiate track athletes on a training path to represent New England at national and international competition. The program’s athletes and local children mutually benefit from their interactions and contribute to a stronger, more engaged community.
“We are extremely excited about our partnership with Karhu,” says Nich Haber, president of NE Distance. “Karhu embodies the old school running aesthetic that our athletes are living. With Karhu, not only are we able to do good work in our community and run and train more efficiently, but we’re looking great too.”
When not training, NE Distance athletes work 16-20 hours per week tutoring, coaching and mentoring local youth in the working class city of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. NE Distance’s athletes are currently working with four separate after-school programs and engaging with over 350 kids every week. NE Distance is currently working with the athletic department of the City of Woonsocket to reestablish a middle school cross-country and track program that will be coached by athlete-in-resident fellows this fall.
“The NE Distance mission aligns perfectly with our values and vision as a company,” says Meagan Nedlo, National Run Sales Manager for Karhu. “We hope this partnership inspires our fans and consumer base to give back to the local community just as NE Distance has inspired us.”
NE Distance currently has two athlete-in-resident fellows and is fundraising to be able to add more. The goal is to have a high performance track team representing New England at top races while providing inspiration and being positive role models for youth.
Funding for the NE Distance program has come primarily from individuals in the running community. Anyone interested in supporting this program can purchase “shares” in the team from their web site at www.nedistance.org.
NE Distance, Inc. (www.nedistance.org) is a community-based distance running program funded by individuals in the running community. NE Distance provides a supportive environment for post-collegiate runners committed to representing their community and reaching a higher level of competition.
