Hoka One One, a division of Deckers Brands, opened up registration for the Hoka One One Postal Nationals cross-country competition, and signed a multi-year deal to be the Official Footwear of Ultra Race of Champions (UROC).
Expecting more than 1,000 teams to register and more than 6,000 student athletes to run in a Postal National event this fall, Hoka One One is inviting all high school aged cross-country runners to participate in the team event. The competition revives one of the US’s best running traditions: a nationwide two-mile team championship.
Postal Nationals features multiple ways to participate, including four regional championships, dozens of local Postal races, or a team time trial. Championship-style flagship events are slated for Northern California, Southern California, Colorado and North Carolina.
“This is the most open and accessible national cross country championship in the country,” said Mike McManus, Hoka’s senior sports marketing manager. “At Hoka we support runners of all abilities, and cross country embodies that spirit. We are excited for another record-breaking season of this revived running tradition.”
Last season, more than 650 teams from around the nation joined Postal Nationals. Participation has grown more than 700 percent since Hoka One One brought Postal Nationals back in 2014, and similar growth is expected this season.
Winning the Hoka One One Postal Nationals championship with a 9:20 average time for their top-5 boys last year, the Woodlands XC team of The Woodlands, Texas, is primed for another competitive season.
“In 2015 this event was the spark that ignited our team’s successes in the post-season,” said The Woodlands Cross Country head coach Juris Green, whose team won the 6A District, Regional, and Texas State Championships, and went on to place sixth at Nike Cross Nationals. “Our goal is to be the first team to win back-to-back Hoka One One Postal National titles.”
Reviving a tradition from the 1970’s, the Hoka One One Postal Nationals allows high school cross-country teams from every state to compete against each other in a timed two-mile race on the track. To receive a ranking, teams average and then submit the time of their top five finishers. Hoka One One’S Postal Nationals provides an open, democratic format, where every team in the country gets the chance to compete to be crowned national champions.
The 2016 Hoka One One Postal Nationals registration opens on August 23. All information, including rankings and registration, can be found at www.hokaoneonepostalnationals.com.
In addition to launching their Postal Nationals, Hoka One One signed a multi-year exclusive deal to be the Official Footwear of UROC. The race will take place on September 24 in Auburn, CA and will offer three options for runners: 100k, 50k and 25k. The mixed terrain course is designed to challenge all but favor none, consistent with the race’s mission to bring together the best athletes while remaining open to everyone.
“Competitors will find in Hoka One One a fitting partner for UROC,” said James Russell Gill III, UROC’s race director and Bad to the Bone CEO. “As a Hoka One One sponsored athlete myself, I am very familiar with their line and I know that they offer several shoes perfectly designed for this terrain and challenges.”
“We are very excited about the partnership between Hoka One One and UROC,” said Mike McManus, senior manager global sports marketing. “Hoka One One looks forward to continuing to support the ultra-running community and welcoming all runners at this year’s event.”
Registration is now open at www.ultraroc.com.
