The 10^th annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure drew nearly 64,000 participants bright and early June 21^st. Contributions totaled over $3.3 million, surpassing this year's goal! Each year Race for the Cure brings a greater awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded twenty-five years ago by Susan's sister, Nancy G. Brinker. At that time, when breast cancer was diagnosed before it spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate was just 74 percent. Today, it is 98 percent. Nearly 75 percent of women over the age of 40 now receive regular mammograms compared to just 30 percent in 1982.

Attending the race in St. Louis was a great reminder that even though the stats are improving, we still have far to go. The people I spoke with had such a positive attitude and glowed with hopeful inspiration given by the more than 4,000 survivors present at this year's race. Even with so many smiles seen in such a large turnout, no one overlooks the very serious reason we are there.  Names of sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and friends flashed by in the thousands on the backs of participants that were walking in memory of or in celebration of their loved ones. These names were listed on their backs but the sentiment did not take a back seat. This symbolized one of the ways people are leaving the pain behind and racing forward for a cure. 

Everyone showed up sporting different shades of pink and accessorized with crazy pink wigs, pink rabbit ears, and pink antennae.  One of the most popular accessories seen on participants were pink laces provided by New Balance. The pink shoelaces were given to survivors and offered to others for a minimal donation, with the proceeds going directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The pink lace donation is just one of the ways New Balance contributes to the cause.

New Balance is the longest running sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series.  They have made financial contributions of more than $6 million since 1989. To promote increased breast cancer awareness, New Balance has created the Lace Up for the Cure^® Apparel & Footwear Collection as a reminder that the ultimate finish line is a cure for breast cancer.

In 2008, New Balance will contribute 15% of wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure Apparel & Footwear Collection with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000. Find your favorite Lace Up for the Cure item here. One of my favorites is the pink laces. Brown's Catalog donates 100% of the proceeds from the pink lace to Komen for the Cure. Check out our footage from the race posted below. This was my fourth race attended and will not be the last. Hope to see you there next year!

We all love that sound in the morning!

Whether it's 5 A.M. or 8 A.M. it always comes too early. We know how warm and cozy our beds are but we also know how much more potential the day holds when the morning is started out right.. with a morning run. It's the balance between love and hate. It's the balance between a "spare tire" or the way your WRT8110GLC fits, proof that you ran that extra lap around the block. New Balance is tipping the scale in the right direction. We want you to improve your personal best, keep track with the 50007. Set goals, track your progress and compare results with other enthusiasts at NBFITS.com. We've been there too.. panting and chanting to yourself, "one more step, one more lap, one more mile." Go ahead. Your 992's can handle the stress on your knees, on your shins. It's all about getting the new balance. You may be the last person practicing your three pointers but you'll be the first to make the shot under the stress of the buzzer. Your 826's may be the only thing accompanying you on those extra laps at practice but you'll be the only one with the view from the other side of the goal line. Squeeze in that late night run if that's the only chance you get. When you kick off your 882's and crawl into bed you'll dream of turning that double into a triple in tomorrows game. And while you hate the rain in your eyes as your feet stay dry in your 1110's, we want you to love the sound of the tape snapping when your 1223's take you to first on race day.
Tip the scale.

Yes it's finally here... Mother Nature's feature presentation.
Trees begin to green, flowers begin to bloom and the grass begins to grow. Much like our waist lines have throughout the winter. I'm sure it's not just one of us who got into the routine of ignoring our 992's, sliding into our 801 leisures and hibernating in front of our favorite shows ..even if they weren't new episodes. Hey if the writers could strike so could we... from exercise. But now the only excuse is a lame excuse. With the fresh air in our lungs it's time to drag those running shoes, walking shoes, cross-trainers and even the golf shoes out of the abyss of the back of the closet and get on the way to a fit and healthy year.
Just like the new dress you can't wait to wear out or the new golf spikes you're sure will improve your game, new athletic apparel will kick you into gear. You're going to want to try out something we're excited about. Along with cities such as Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Boston (all among the top 10 greenest US cities) New Balance is also going green with their apparel. Feel the difference in performance and clear your conscience in the Bamboo and Cocona eco-friendly product lines.
Once you're ready to show off your new Spring "green" attitude you'll want to kick out the old and hit the road in the latest New Balance shoe technology. Check out the features in the 1123 dramatically improved from its predecessor, 1122. If it's a rainy day we're not letting you off that easy. New Balance has incorporated a Gore-tex waterproof lining in the new men's and women's trail running 1110GT. If you prefer not to brave the elements the new cross training 1009 and 855 will be more than accommodating for some indoor gym time. As for me and some fellow Brown's employees we're gonna ease our way back into Spring by packing up some fruits and veggies in our Avalanche Lunch Boxes and hike through some mid-western wilderness.
While we're pacing ourselves out to the perfect picnic spot with the help of the 50003 pedometer, let us know how you're springing into the season. What's the hippest way to fit in your neck of the woods?

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
~Jim Ryun
(American former track athlete and politician. Jim Ryun had an athletic career that saw him become one of the greatest runners of all time, and the last American to hold the world record in the mile run.)

We know it's hard to get motivated so how about a little push. To celebrate going live with our new Blog feature use the code from the image below for $5 off any regularly priced New Balance athletic model. Our way of helping you turn others green... with envy of the deals you got on the way to a fit and healthy season! 

*Not to be combined with any other offers.