Run Matters Neil Schwartz and Mark Sullivan

We are calling episode 6 of the Run Matters Podcast, Powered by Skechers Performance the “Connection Episode”.  From the opening subject du jour lightning round right to the “Run to the Finish” segment, we talked about how the specialty running channel is at the heart of most connections, whether it’s between brands and retailers or retailers and their local community.  Our first conversation features Keith Shelton, the Director of Merchandising and Product Development for the Skechers Performance division.  Keith is all about making connections with the specialty retailers that are at the heart of the performance running category.  We then spoke with Greg Koch, owner of 605 Running in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and how he has made the connection with Benson Lang’at to help his customers and the rest of the local running community make a tighter connection to their events and gaining the most possible from their relationship to 605.  The show then wraps up with our “Run to the Finish Segment” featuring our in-house running coach Amanda Brooks.  Amanda and Mark talked about making the connection to running on a track as an alternative to road or trail running.  


This is the last episode of season 1.  Look for bonus “best of” episodes and interviews with Meb, Ches and others from Season 1 of the Run Matters Podcast, powered by Skechers Performance during the month of April.

In Episode 6 of the Retail Matters edition of the Run Matters Podcast, Mark and I learn how a former bakery owner made the pivot to become an owner of one of the hottest running stores in the running rich state of South Dakota.

605 Running Company’s Greg Koch shares his story in this episode of the Retail Edition of The Run Matters Podcast powered by Skechers performance.
Koch’s recipe relies heavily on community Involvement and an extensive coaching program, led by former collegiate all-American Benson Lang’at, who joined us for the discussion. Lang’at is a clinical psychologist whose coaching methods incorporate the perfect mix of mental and physical health. Hear how Sioux Falls has adopted this son of Kenya and supported him on his inspiring virtual Boston Marathon run last year. It’s all on Episode 6 of Retail Matters edition of the Run Matters Podcast.

This episode of the Retail Matters Podcast features Shoes and Brews in Longmont, CO.          
Mark and Neil had a fun discussion with store owner/manager and mom, Ashlee Anderson as she explained how the five owners put this concept together and what it has meant for the local community.  Shoes and Brews has been able to tap into the younger, family-oriented demographic to make themselves an important part of this community and create a new type of running retail experience at the same time.  

If there was any one word that describes the past 12 months, it is disruption.  But disruption is not always a bad thing.  In fact, for many in the running community, it has been a chance to make lemonade from a giant bowl of lemons.  S01E05 of The Run Matters Podcast begins with a discussion between lead product developer at Skechers Performance, Kurt Stockbridge and one of running’s up and coming stars, Edward Cheserek.  “Ches” has been using the time during the pandemic to train for some middle-distance events and keep in peak shape for what he hopes will be an appearance in the delayed Tokyo Olympics.  On the retail side, it’s hard to imagine a retailer that is disrupting more than Shoes and Brews in Longmont, CO, where you can pick up a pair of Skechers Running Shoes and grab a freshly brewed craft beer to celebrate.  Then, our in-house running coach, Amanda Brooks helps us Run to The Finish talking about how disruption for runners can be a positive force.   

We then sat down with Ken Sung, co-owner of Gazelle Sports in Central Michigan. Ken discussed how Gazelle used this time during the pandemic to take a step back and look closely at its business and then make the needed changes to get ready for the next three to five years. Ken then went on to talk about his entrepreneurial efforts that include both a farm to table full-service restaurant and a brand-new Gourmet Bagel Shop. Neil is still waiting for the dozen bagels Ken promised him.

We are calling Episode 4 of the Run Matters Podcast, “The Collaboration Episode” for two reasons. The first collaboration in this episode features Amanda Brooks and Co-host, Neil Schwartz as they talk about his plan to get out and start running. Neil is in the early “walk/run” stage but hopes to get to his goal in two to three months. We heard Neil say” This whole process scares the crap out of me” but he is starting to build new habits.
The next collaboration takes listeners behind the scenes with Kurt Stockbridge, lead product developer for Skechers Performance, and superstar runner, Meb Keflezighi as they reveal the process it took to create a pair of shoes in less than eight weeks that Meb would wear for the NY Marathon. It’s a powerful example of how a product developer and elite athlete work together to create a special shoe and then how this effort translates to shoes that later become available to the general running public.
We then sat down with Ken Sung, co-owner of Gazelle Sports in Central Michigan. Ken discussed how Gazelle used this time during the pandemic to take a step back and look closely at its business and then make the needed changes to get ready for the next three to five years. Ken then went on to talk about his entrepreneurial efforts that include both a farm to table full-service restaurant and a brand-new Gourmet Bagel Shop. Neil is still waiting for the dozen bagels Ken promised him.
We closed the show with the Run to the Finish Segment as Amanda as Mark Sullivan debunk the common myths associated with running.