The Running Specialty Group (RSG), an operating segment of The Finish Line, Inc., announced a strategic agreement with Pear Sports, a mobile fitness and training content platform, for the launch of its RSG training channel, available now at run.com. The collaboration brings to the market the first-ever interactive training platform and tracking tool which will integrate with and further enhance RSG’s industry-leading store based training programs nationwide while continuously evolving the running experience for its dedicated and passionate customer base.
“We strive to keep moving forward by reimagining the way our customers interact with the retail store experience, focusing on the intersection between technology and fitness and how this can directly impact each individual engaged in an active lifestyle,” said Bill Kirkendall, Running Specialty Group president. “Supported by the technology developed by Pear Sports, this strategy moves toward a dynamic and personalized space that will allow our customers to better track their goals to ensure they train smarter and achieve their desired results.”
Through the agreement, the specialty retailer will have an RSG channel powered by Pear Sports, hosted within its training app. The RSG channel will consist of downloadable training content and fitness programs that deliver interactive and personalized audio coaching in real-time, along with robust results tracking tools so users can meet individual fitness and performance goals. In support of this agreement, RSG’s parent company, Finish Line, has made a strategic investment in Pear Sports.
“Together with Pear Sports, we’ll offer a tremendous resource to the running specialty community that keeps us on the forefront of delivering premium products and services that support the active lifestyle of our customers,” added Kirkendall.
When combined with Pear’s Mobile Training Kit, runners will gain access to personalized training, fitness level progress, heart rate performance, calorie consumption, route maps, pace performance, historical results and more all through their personal account. In the following months RSG will have in-store displays showcasing the channel for customers to interact with the new technology in a demo environment.
“We’re thrilled to offer Pear to the RSG community through our specialty app,” states Christian Schauf, vice president of sales and marketing for Pear Sports. “Our platform allows RSG who already provides the best products, services and programs to the running community to expand their relationship to world-class coaches and cross fitness training through a digital platform for 24/7 engagement.”
The Running Specialty Group (RSG) includes 76 specialty running stores in 17 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, Richmond RoadRunner, Garry Gribble’s Running Sports, Run Colorado, Raleigh Running Outfitters, Striders, Indiana Running Company and JackRabbit Sports banners. More information is available at www.run.com or www.boulderrunningcompany.com.
