This week we will travel to Anaheim for the Disneyland Half Marathon. This will be our third year as the Official Performance Footwear Sponsor of the event. I can state unequivocally that our Disney relationship has been among the most rewarding.

I can recall our first meeting with Disney. Holly and I traveled to Orlando to meet with a team of about 20 of the most creative and excited people we’ve ever met. The meeting included a brainstorming session run by a team at Disney whose sole job it was to ensure the best possible environment to stimulate the creative thought and interaction. It was the most positive meeting Holly and I have ever attended. Among other things, we came up with the idea for InSPIRAtional stories, which has come to define our relationships with people like Dick and Rick Hoyt, Arturo Barrios, and Hunter Kemper, and others.

Last year, I had the opportunity to run the half marathon race as a participant. I’ve never had such a great time! Running through the parks and Angels stadium was so much fun. The crowds were amazing and everyone was having a great time. I didn’t want the race to end!

Mary Akor crossing the finish in 2008 at Disneyland

The Disney expos are always well attended and fun for everyone. They give us the opportunity to visit with our customers and hear first hand their stories about why they run, and what motivates them. You can’t help but leave the event completely energized.

This year, we will use the Disneyland Expo to introduce our new running shoe, the Odyssey. We can’t think of a better place to launch a shoe over which there is such anticipation.

If you’re attending the event, please stop by to see us!