PocketFuel is one of The Running Event’s TRE-Mendous Newcomer Finalists!

Imagine a specialty running product that represents the very best in product innovation. A product not only worthy of floor space, but one that promises to boost a retailer’s profitability. Finding that product is the goal of the first-ever The Running Event TRE-Mendous Newcomer Award for Product Innovation.

A panel of retail and media judges carefully reviewed written and video entries to select the 12 finalists who will present live in the Austin Hilton to ABC-TV’s Shark Tank apparel and footwear entrepreneur Daymond John, the TRE-Mendous judges, and hundreds of retail buyers. The 12 finalists, announced today, will pitch their hearts’ out on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in rooms 18 A-D.

The finalists, all either first or second-year TRE exhibitors, are: Bani Bands, Cluffy, Icy Feet, Knucklelights,Mio, Oofos, Pocket Fuel, Racer, Saxx, Strutz, Teshub, and TheraWheel.

“Specialty retailers are going to be pleased with what they see, not only among the finalists, but all the new product entries,” said Newcomer Award judge Mark Rouse, owner, Runners High ‘n Tri, Arlington Heights, Ill.

“The inaugural TRE awards shine a spotlight on new products that are available to running specialty stores and not necessarily on the Internet or in the big boxes. These are the products that help us remain on the cutting edge and provide our customers with The Next Big Thing,” said Rouse.

“In fact, after involving our sales associates in the judging, we immediately ordered two finalist entries for our own store.”

All entries in the TRE-Mendous Newcomer Award will be displayed Dec. 4 to 6 at The Running Event Expo’s New Products Showcase, sponsored by Active Network, located in the front of the Austin Convention Center exhibit hall.

A second contest will recognize the TRE-Mendous Product of the Year Award offered by a company that has exhibited in TRE for three or more years.

Winners will be announced at the 50 Best Running Stores in America Awards dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 5 starting at 7 p.m.

Both Product of the Year winners will receive premium positioning in the New Products Showcase, advertising in Running Insight magazine, a free booth upgrade for 2013, and other prizes.

“The enthusiastic response to this inaugural award program validates what we’ve always known about this industry – that it is comprised of manufacturers and service providers who share a common passion for running, health and fitness, and the commitment to continually offer retailers new, innovative and exciting products,” says Mark Sullivan, co-founder of The Running Event and editor-in-chief of Running Insightmagazine.