Posted: January 12, 2006

Athletics: Runner’s World Names Saucony Grid® Hurricane 8 “Editor’s Choice” Award Winner

New Hurricane Adds To Saucony’s Award-Winning Streak

LEXINGTON (January 12, 2006) – Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR), and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, today announced that Runner’s World, the worldwide authority on running information, awarded the Editor’s Choice Award to the Saucony Grid Hurricane 8 in the magazine’s March 2006 “Shoe Buyer’s Guide.”

“Saucony is once again proud to be honored by the editors of Runner’s World,” said Patrick O’Malley, vice president of product for Saucony. This is the third Editor's Choice Award that Saucony has received from Runner’s World in the last nine months: In 2005, the Grid Tangent and the Grid Omni 5 also took top editor’s honors in June and September, respectively.

“Saucony’s new Hurricane builds upon an award-winning franchise that continues to reflect the brand’s commitment to the runner,” said O’Malley. “This eighth rendition follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, delivering the perfect blend of cushioning and stability. Runners will definitely notice and enjoy its high-end ride,” added O’Malley.

The Grid Hurricane 8 offers a Dual Density Impulse™ EVA midsole to provide increased shock attenuation with responsive cushioning, while a medial MCD (Motion Control Device) works with the Impulse EVA to slow the rate of pronation. Located on the lateral side, Saucony’s Impact Interface™ cushions and isolates heel impact without bottoming out. A midfoot support bridge offers enhanced torsional rigidity, ensuring a smooth transition from heel to toe. SRC XTRA™, Saucony’s premier forefoot cushioning system, provides a smooth and more natural toe-off. A midfoot Arch-Lock™ ensures a snug midfoot fit, resulting in superior control and support on the run. Step-in comfort is achieved with an Ortholite™ memory foam sockliner that resists compression.

The Grid Hurricane 8 comes in men’s sizes 7-13, 14 and 15, and women’s sizes 5-12. The suggested retail price of the Grid Hurricane 8 is $125.00 and is scheduled to launch March 1st, 2006 at participating retail stores. To find a retailer near you, please call 1.800.365.4933 or visit www.saucony.com.

The Runner’s World “Shoe Buyers Guide” is published four times annually. The March issue arrives on newsstands in early February 2006.

About Saucony, Inc.:
Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony, Saucony Originals, and Spot-bilt. For more information go to www.saucony.com.

In 2004, Saucony introduced The Saucony 26, a collection of twenty-six people and their stories from communities in and around the marathon racecourses in Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago, who are chosen to symbolize each full mile of the marathon race.

The Saucony 26 celebrates the runners’ differences, as well as the running community’s collective and passionate love of the sport. To learn more or nominate a runner visit: www.saucony.com/saucony26/nominate.aspx

About Stride Rite:
Headquartered in Lexington, MA, The Stride Rite Corporation is an NYSE company (SRR) with 2004 sales combined with consolidated sales, including Saucony, of approximately $725 million. Stride Rite markets the leading brand of high-quality lifestyle and athletic shoes and apparel for children and adults that are marketed by the Company under well-known brand names, including Stride Rite, Keds, PRO-Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger, Grasshoppers and Hind. Apparel products are marketed by the Company under the Saucony and Hind brand names. Information about the Company is available at www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, www.sperrytopsider.com, and www.hind.com.

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 Web site, www.runnersworld.com, is the largest running community on the Internet, featuring interactive, searchable, and targeted content for runners of all ages and abilities.

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