Posted: May 9, 2005

Athletics: Runner's World 2005 Summer Shoe Guide Spotlights Best New Running Shoes

June Issue Hits Newsstands May 3

NEW YORK - (May 4, 2005) - Runner's World magazine, the world's leading authority on running information, spotlights and reviews 27 of the best new running shoes for the summer in its 2005 Summer Shoe Guide, part of the June issue of Runner's World on newsstands this week.

All 27 new running shoes were put through rigorous testing by Runner's World editors, its 300 "wear-testers" and its one-of-a-kind Runner's World Shoe Lab in the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab at Michigan State University. The running shoes were tested and judged in the motion control, stability, cushioning and performance training categories.

Runner's World is the only publication in the world that independently tests running shoes this way, in order to help its readers find the right shoe for them.

Additionally, The Summer Shoe Guide includes information for the best women's running shoes, as more and more manufacturers are designing shoes specifically for the female foot. Runner's World defines women's running shoes as shoes that do not have a male counterpart, and after utilizing 60 wear-testers with women-only shoes for this review - and hearing their positive responses - it seems clear that the trend is here to stay.

Criteria guidelines for awards in each category, and winners in those categories for Summer 2005, are as follows:

* Editor's Choice winners (New Balance 754 and Saucony Grid Tangent) represent an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. It receives high marks from the RW Shoe Lab, from wear-testers and from the editors.

* Best Update (Asics GEL-Foundation VI) recognizes a significant improvement made to an existing model. The shoe features a better overall fit and feel, a materials update or new technology.

* Best Buy (Puma Complete Theron) is given to a high-quality, high-value shoe that incorporates features or technology usually found in shoes at higher price points.

* Best Debut (Nike Air Zoom Shift) is a category that spotlights a new release that receives high marks from the RW Shoe Lab, from wear-testers and from the editors. Although the product is unproven over the long haul, it represents a promising new addition to its category.

After being tested by 60 female runners, the following were chosen as the Best Running Shoes for Women:

* Nike Air Althea
* Nike Shox Dendara
* Ryka N-Gage Run

Every shoe reviewed by Runner's World is first bench-tested at the RW Shoe Lab at Michigan State, headed by Ray Fredericksen, M.S. All shoes are flexed, pounded and prodded to see how well they perform. Then, the shoes are matched for proper fit and to the type of runner they were intended for with 300 wear-testers in San Diego, Allentown (PA) and East Lansing (MI).

Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.

Because Runner's World only tests and reviews the best product available, shoes that have been tested may use the "Tested by the Runner's World Shoe Lab" label.

For more information on the Runner's World 2005 Summer Shoe Guide, go to RunnersWorld.com or pick up the June issue of Runner's World, on newsstands now.

About Runner's World
Recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, the mission of Rodale's Runner's World is to inform, advise and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. Runner's World aims to help runners achieve their personal health, fitness, and performance goals, and to inspire them with vivid, memorable storytelling. Currently Runner's World publishes nine international editions, plus a special bi-annual teen running publication, High School Runner. Runner's World's companion website, RunnersWorld.com, is the largest running community on the Internet, featuring interactive, searchable, and targeted content for runners of all ages and abilities.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.