Long Run Labs

Jonathan Levitt

Long Run Labs is a weekly series exploring the intersection of endurance and entrepreneurship from the team that brings you For The Long Run Podcast. From brand builders to movement makers, we spotlight the runners driving change in the outdoor and endurance space. These are the untold stories behind the tools, companies, and communities that shape the industry, told with curiosity, honesty, and heart. Hosted by Jon Levitt. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Most Brand Partnerships Fail (And How to Actually Get It Right)

    Erin Cooper built her career in the running industry by saying yes, learning on the ground, and working her way from run specialty to leading brand marketing at one of the most influential global brands in sport. Erin Cooper is a Brand Marketing leader at Salomon, where she works across performance and sportstyle to shape how the brand shows up in North America. Her path into the industry started in run specialty, followed by years in the field as a technical rep and mobile marketing coordinator, before transitioning into brand and partnership strategy. Today, she works at the intersection of athletes, creators, community, and global campaigns. Jon and Erin talk about what actually drives brand growth in running and outdoor, and how partnerships, community, and storytelling come together. Jon chats with Erin about:• why most brand partnerships fail before they even start• how to define success and “what a win looks like”• the role of run specialty in building a career in the industry• brand marketing vs. performance marketing in a global company• how digital and in-person experiences work together• athlete vs. influencer vs. creator and where each fits• why authenticity is still the most important filter• building long-term partnerships instead of short-term wins This episode is supported by: The Huddle: If you’re at the point where going at it alone isn’t working or you’re ready to level things up in your business, go to https://findmyhuddle.com/ and fill out the application Popfly: If you’re a brand trying to reach outdoor, travel, and adventure audiences, Popfly is where to do it. It connects you with the largest communities of adventure creators and handles the entire process from start to finish. To learn more: Creators click here: https://popf.ly/longrunlabscreators. Brands click here: https://popf.ly/longrunlabsbrands⁠

    51 min

  2. APR 7

    Why Authenticity Wins in Running Marketing

    Hannah Sedgwick Shin has built her career at the intersection of running and brand. From her early days in public relations to shaping marketing at Goodr and now leading sports marketing initiatives at ASICS, her work sits inside the evolving world of how brands show up in sport. Hannah Sedgwick Shin is a sports marketer at ASICS, focused on athlete and creator partnerships, brand strategy, and community-driven marketing. She previously spent over five years at Goodr, where she helped scale the brand through partnerships, content, and a distinctly non-traditional approach to marketing in the running space. She also describes herself as a “professionally amateur” marathoner, bringing a personal lens to the work she does. Jon chats with Hannah about: • brand marketing vs. performance marketing and why both matter • how Goodr approached partnerships without over-indexing on conversion metrics • authenticity as the foundation for athlete and creator collaborations • the rise of athlete-as-creator and how expectations are shifting • building community through in-person events and run clubs • what brands are thinking about heading into LA 2028 • how to stand out in an increasingly crowded running and outdoor market Stay connected: Follow Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahsedgwick/ This episode is supported by: The Huddle: If you’re at the point where going at it alone isn’t working or you’re ready to level things up in your business, go to https://findmyhuddle.com/ and fill out the application Popfly: If you’re a brand trying to reach outdoor, travel, and adventure audiences, Popfly is where to do it. It connects you with the largest communities of adventure creators and handles the entire process from start to finish. Go to Popfly.com to learn more!

    1h 2m

  3. MAR 31

    $20K Launch Day: How Raide Built a Premium Gear Brand Through Word-of-Mouth and Elite Athletes

    Kyle Siegel transformed a moment of peak frustration on Mount Rainier into the foundation story of Raide: a ski and running equipment company driven by an obsession to enable "the freedom and flow of human powered movement." Kyle Siegel is the CEO/founder of Raide. Founded in 2023 in Carbondale, CO Raide's mission is to elevate the freedom of human powered movement. Raide equipment and apparel that combines function, performance and style for athletes to chase big objectives, audacious goals & seeking the uncomfortable. Jon chats with Kyle about: Raide’s mission to enable freedom and flow of human movement product focus around ski touring packs and running belts/gear the product-led company strategy & athlete partnerships fundraising approach & investors  brand-focused marketing vs. performance marketing Stay Connected: Follow Kyle: https://www.instagram.com/kyle.siegel/ This episode is supported by: The Huddle If you’re at the point where going at it alone isn’t working or you’re ready to level things up in your business, go to https://findmyhuddle.com/ and fill out the application

    53 min

  4. MAR 24

    The Custom Insoles Revolutionizing Elite Running Performance

    What happens when a successful entrepreneur sells his lighting company, attempts to qualify for Olympic trials, and then decides to revolutionize the insole industry using iPhone technology? Cole Zucker is an entrepreneur with a running addiction. Cole's most recent business is Kila Run. They make the lightest custom insole in the world, which is used by podium winners such as Tom Evans.  Jon chats with Cole about: entrepreneurship and business-building philosophy running journey and athletic background the Kila custom insoles startup  investment philosophy and capital strategy Stay Connected: www.kilarun.com https://www.instagram.com/kilarunning/ This episode is supported by: The Huddle If you’re at the point where going at it alone isn’t working or you’re ready to level things up in your business, go to https://findmyhuddle.com/ and fill out the application

    1h 5m

  5. MAR 17

    From Kickstarter to a Brooks Partnership: PYNRS Founder’s Blueprint for Community-First Business Building

    When immigrant parents chase opportunity across continents, their children often become bridges between worlds. Sid Baptista discovered that running could be the vehicle to bring transformative experiences back to the communities that shaped him.  Sidney Baptista is the Founder of PYNRS Performance Streetwear, a Boston-based running brand rooted in culture, community, and performance. Inspired by the legacy of Black pioneers in distance running, Sid created PYNRS to amplify, celebrate, and expand who gets to belong in the sport. Through product, storytelling, and community-driven experiences, he is redefining what running culture looks and feels like. Jon chats with Sid about: building community through inclusive running experiences creating performance apparel for underserved athletic bodies innovative product design addressing real runner needs strategic brand partnerships driving market validation entrepreneurial hustle and creative problem-solving approaches Stay Connected: For Sidney - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidbap/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidbap For PYNRS - Website: https://pynrs.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pynrs_/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pynrs/ This episode is supported by: Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!

    1h 9m

  6. MAR 10

    Consistency is a Competitive Advantage: Carbon Plates, Speciality Retail, and Smarter Marketing with Gelindo Bordin

    From marathon champion to business leader, Gelindo Bordin transformed his Olympic gold medal triumph into executive expertise, now directing innovation at Italian running brand Diadora while bridging the gap between elite performance and everyday runners. Gelindo Bordin is the Marketing Director at Diadora, where he leads the company’s marketing strategies with a deep passion for both sports and brand development. A former Olympic gold medalist, Bordin made history as the first Italian to win the Olympic Marathon. He began his career as a mountain cross-country runner before transitioning to longer distances, debuting in the marathon in 1984 and later winning the Milan Marathon. Over the course of his illustrious career, Bordin earned an Olympic gold medal, two European titles, a bronze medal at the World Championships, and an Italian half-marathon title. He is, still, the only male to win both the Boston Marathon and an Olympic gold medal in the marathon. He won the Boston Marathon in 1990 and describes the victory as his "second greatest run, after winning the Olympics”. Retiring in 1993 after competing in 18 marathons, he now brings his wealth of experience and passion for sports to his role at Diadora, where he drives the brand’s visibility and engagement in the global market. Jon chats with Gelindo about: his Olympic Marathon champion career product development technology innovation  athlete sponsorship evolution  running injury prevention focus  how to maintain brand consistency Stay Connected: https://www.instagram.com/diadora/ This episode is supported by: Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!

    1 hr

  7. MAR 3

    How Wilderdog Turned Dog Gear into a Profitable Business

    From selling braided iPhone chargers on Instagram to building an outdoor dog gear empire - Rachel Friedline's wild journey started with a red iPhone cord and a weekend ski house. Rachel Friedline is the co-founder of Wilderdog, an outdoor dog gear company built for dogs and their humans. With a focus on durability, thoughtful design, and community, she has helped grow the brand from the ground up into a trusted name in the outdoor space. Rachel is passionate about building products that inspire people to get outdoors with their dogs. Jon chats with Rachel about: early social media marketing through customer photo reposts her origin story going from an iPhone cord business to Wilderdog  Wilderdog’s company philosophy inspiring outdoor adventures with dogs bootstrap growth maintaining complete business control the purchase for Pup program donating $500k+ to shelters Jason Kuperberg’s Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NrgwRPgvBXoRcvWsJ7oRI?si=d89633362efb4cb8 Michael Brandt’s Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JVLA5CFL5xTFChTiU01Ar?si=5ad7281b84ed461d Stay Connected: Follow Wilderdog: https://www.instagram.com/wilderdog/ https://www.wilderdog.com/pages/purchase-for-a-pup This episode is supported by: Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer!

    43 min

  8. FEB 24

    The Evolution of Performance Marketing in Niche Markets

    Jason Wiener has spent over 25 years navigating the intersection of sports and technology, transforming from an adventure sports agency owner who represented major brands like PowerBar and Specialized to a data-driven athlete development pioneer who's using physics modeling and digital twin simulation to help young cyclists reach elite status. Now focused on building a highly technical program for junior mountain bike athletes in the United States, Wiener applies the same precision he once used consulting with IndyCar teams to break down race courses with 30-second accuracy, creating targeted training regimens that helped his daughter place fourth at national championships in her first year. With eyes set on the 2028 LA Olympics, he's leveraging his unique blend of motorsports analytics, Silicon Valley tech experience, and quantified self expertise to identify and develop the next generation of American cycling talent. Jon chats with Jason about: the athlete development pathway from junior to elite cycling data-driven course simulation and performance modeling podcast network advertising and brand partnerships Olympic medal targeting for LA 2028 trail running market trends and brand positioning Stay Connected: Follow Jason: http://jasonwiener.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwiener/ This episode is supported by: Skej My favorite tool to help schedule meetings. Check out skej.com/longrunlabs for a very special offer! Superfiliate helps brands turn creators, customers, and communities into a scalable growth channel, without the usual affiliate mess.

    1h 1m
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About

Long Run Labs is a weekly series exploring the intersection of endurance and entrepreneurship from the team that brings you For The Long Run Podcast. From brand builders to movement makers, we spotlight the runners driving change in the outdoor and endurance space. These are the untold stories behind the tools, companies, and communities that shape the industry, told with curiosity, honesty, and heart. Hosted by Jon Levitt. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Levitt
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Levitt
  • Show Website
    Long Run Labs

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