Keeping Austin Weird - The Running Event 2022
by
Mark Jimenez
The Running Event (TRE) is the largest trade show in the Run Specialty industry. Each year, thousands of Run Specialty store owners and leaders descend on Austin, Texas for a four day event that includes educational content, a trade show, and networking opportunities. It is an exhausting four days but there is always so much to do and learn. This is the fourth time I have attended this event since I bought Red Rock Running Company. There was no show in 2020 due to Covid.
My favorite part of the event has always been the education portion. Each year I have learned something different in the first day of classes held at TRE. From 2018, when Dan Mann gave the keynote speech to 2022 where the amazing Allyson Felix spoke, I have always learned something. Another great part of TRE is the networking. We have met so many amazing store owners through this event, and while we keep in touch via group text throughout the year, it is always wonderful to see them face to face for a few days and bounce ideas off them.
2022 was extra special because the leadership team at Red Rock Running Company was chosen to speak in one of the breakout sessions. Our topic was “How to Remove the Barrier of Entry and Build a Diverse Community.” This presentation was the brain child of our Centennial Store manager, Michael, based on some of his experiences at a different conference a couple years ago.
The RRRC Team before the presentation
Speaking in front of your peers from around the country is not easy. We spent many hours preparing and practicing for this presentation. Our presentation went through many different iterations before it became what it was. After several hours of practice, we were finally happy with our product and ready to present it to our peers.
We have an amazing leadership team. KJ and I are so proud of them. From Michael and his passion to Frank and his analytics to Ayleen and her inner strength, we love them all. They are this industry’s future leaders and we were both extremely happy and incredibly nervous to put them in front of an audience of their peers. You never know what’s going to happen when you present to people.
Having taught for 23 years, I don’t get nervous when I get in front of a group of people. What I was nervous for, however, was how my team would perform under these circumstances.
It’s funny how things work out. Right before the session started our good friend from Marathon Sports, Kevin, called out to me. Marathon Sports is a big chain of stores in Boston, and we don’t get to see them too much. It took me a half second to recognize him, but when I did we quickly embraced. The hug of an old friend washed away any nervousness that I had and in that moment I knew the team was going to do great.
Kevin from Marathon Sports with KJ and Mark
My part was the introduction and the conclusion. KJ and the team had the middle part, and they absolutely killed it. It was so much fun for me to sit back and admire the team as they gave their presentation. I think this picture below says it all. Look at how I’m beaming at Ayleen as she gives her presentation. She did so well, as did all of our team. I couldn’t be more proud.
After the presentation was over we took some moments to gather our breath and let go of any adrenaline that was still in our system. We went to dinner and called it a night.
But our adventures weren’t over.
On Wednesday we were invited to dinner by New Balance. We of course accepted the generous offer. When we met everybody downstairs I quickly realized that this wasn’t just anybody from New Balance, it was the entire New Balance leadership team that was at the event. I quickly took out my phone and texted my team telling them to be on their best behavior. I had no idea why the leadership team was taking Red Rock Running Company to dinner, but I was about to find out.
Fancy NB Coffee at TRE
At the dinner we were presented with the inaugural New Balance Fearlessly Independent award. This is the first time this award has been given, and it was an amazing honor to be chosen as the first recipient. When I think about how many stores like ours there are around the country, I am humbled to realize that New Balance chose to recognize us. I might have shed a tear as the award was presented. It meant a lot for our team to be recognized this way.
Fearlessly Independent
We form relationships with all of our vendors, and we enjoy working with all of them. Many of the companies we work with are parts of larger conglomerates. Hoka, for example, is part of Deckers. Altra is owned by VF Outdoor Corporation. New Balance, however, is not owned by another larger corporation. One of their taglines is that they are “Fearlessly Independent since 1906.” There are no words to describe how awesome it was to be honored as the first Fearlessly Independent winner. We feel like we do things just a little bit differently at Red Rock Running Company. We believe we are leading the way in run specialty, and we hope that our customers will come with us on this amazing journey!
To everyone at New Balance who made this wonderful award possible, thank you.
The Leadership Team from New Balance with the RRRC Team
The night ended with lots of team pictures as we celebrated our accomplishments. We came back to Las Vegas having seen incredible new products and having learned a lot about our industry and the people in it. We are proud to have been able to represent Las Vegas by both presenting at the conference and receiving an award. We can’t wait to go back next year!
Every Run is a Good Run