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TRACK SHACK OWNERS INDUCTED INTO RUNNING USA HALL OF CHAMPIONS
Local running leaders Jon & Betsy Hughes recognized nationally for ‘building running’

ORLANDO, FLA., February 24, 2009 – Track Shack, a local specialty running retailer, is proud to announce that co-owners Jon and Betsy Hughes have been inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions at the 2009 Running USA Conference in La Jolla, CA.

The Hall of Champions acknowledges and recognizes noteworthy contribution to the sport of running. Honorees were chosen for having served road running with many years of dedication, imagination, courage and selflessness. Each honoree has made a contribution that has enhanced the sport, and made it more compelling and rewarding for participants. There have been 34 inductees into the Hall of Champions since 2004.

“This year we honored innovators and transformers who have made a huge contribution to building the sport of running,” said Basil Honikman, former Running USA CEO. “After more than 30 years of serving our sport, Jon & Betsy Hughes still stage close to 40 races per year. These two former high school runners have also been able to launch the Track Shack Foundation, which has contributed more than $2 million to community programs since its inception in 1994. Track Shack has truly become the center of the Central Florida running community.”

At the awards banquet and auction sponsored by ING, the sixth class of the Running USA Hall of Champions was acknowledged for their contribution and dedication to the sport. These inductees included the following:

Running USA is a tax-exempt, non-profit, association founded in 1999 dedicated to serve and facilitate the growth of all aspects and entities of running and its health and fitness benefits. Running USA, through its conference and other communication channels, provides the community 'meeting place' for major road race, media and athletic industry personnel.

“We are very honored by this national and industry-wide recognition from Running USA for helping to build the sport of running,” said Betsy Hughes. “Running specialty stores have played a key role in creating communities of runners across America and we are so pleased to have been such a central part of the Central Florida running community. It is humbling to be inducted alongside such incredible running icons into the Hall of Champions and it’s a tribute we will always cherish.”

Track Shack has also been inducted into the Running Specialty Hall of Fame by the Independent Running Retailers Association and recognized for the third year in a row as one of the ‘50 Best Running Stores in America’ by two leading trade and consumer publications.

About Track Shack and Event Marketing & Management International
Track Shack of Orlando opened for business in 1977 as a small retail operation that focused primarily on selling running shoes and apparel. Event Marketing & Management International (EMMI), established in 1990 as Track Shack’s sister company, is a sports marketing company that specializes in marketing, management and production of active participation events. The mission of EMMI is that each event produced will benefit the entire community - runners, sponsors, and charities. Award-winning professional staff has earned EMMI a reputation as one of America’s top sports marketing companies. Jon and Betsy Hughes, co-owners of Track Shack and E.M.M.I., ensure that both businesses support charitable causes, in particular charities that benefit youth and youth athletics. This tradition continues through the creation of Track Shack Foundation in 1994. The Foundation was established as a 501 c(3) organization with the purpose of promoting health and fitness with an emphasis on youth programs.

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