Brooks won the Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA)'s Vendor of the Year award. Other nominees were Superfeet, Saucony and New Balance.
 
The IRRA based their nominations for Vendor of the Year on the following criteria:

  • Product Consistency and marketing integration for either Footwear, Apparel or Accessories
  • Commitment to Independent Specialty Running Channel
  • Customer Service Excellence and initiatives
  • Specialty Running Marketing and Community Initiatives
  • Retailer Profitability

The Independent Running Retailers Association includes around 150 member
dealers around the United States, and was formed to promote the
interests of independent specialty running retailers.  Their mission is
to provide a forum to achieve excellence through education,
communication, research, advocacy and member discount programs as well
as to provide a support network to help independent businesses grow.