San Lorenzo Valley’s track team is building a reputation, and shoe maker Nike wants to be a part of it.
Representatives from the Nike Running Mobile Tour have found a showcase customer in the SLV track team. Starting in the autumn, representatives from Nike have trucked their wares — track and field shoes — to the high school in Felton three times to show off to the local runners and throwers.
Nike visited campus Tuesday, March 29, with a van loaded with shoes and accessories to lend to the SLV athletes during one of their practices.
“This has been a really fun thing,” SLV track coach Thea Jorgensen said. “The kids don’t always get a chance to try the really nice footwear out, so this opens their eyes to what is out there.”
The athletes checked out and borrowed pairs of the latest and greatest of Nike’s technology, had their feet properly fitted, and ran for a day in the brand’s regalia.
The Nike reps explain the options, but they don’t sell their merchandise to the students during the visits.
Adrienne Schumm, a Nike rep, said the company heard about SLV from her predecessors, Scott Lash and Sean Burris, who met the SLV cross country runners and coach Rob Collins at a meet in Mammoth in the fall.
“We are looking to help the runners at schools just like this all over the West Coast,” Schumm said. “The rapport had already been established between SLV and Nike. We really want to keep that relationship alive and healthy.”
