Mizuno Infuses Inspiration Into NYC Runners With Creation Of "Team Inspire" Ahead Of Major Marathon Event

NORCROSS, Ga., Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Running possesses a unique quality, operating at a physical and mental level. While running clearly enables physical conditioning, it also mentally empowers individuals to overcome seemingly insurmountable life challenges.

At this year's final major run event, Mizuno will put the power of running on display by assembling Team Inspire NYC — a group of New York residents with inspirational stories of personal transformation. Team Inspire NYC will not only support each other leading up to and throughout the daunting 26.2-mile endeavor, but also will be a source of inspiration and support for countless runners and individuals participating in this experience.  

"For all of us at Mizuno, running is so much more than miles logged or the shoes we put on runners feet. The greatest value of running is the effect it has on individual character and its ability to inspire and empower people to achieve incredible things," said Kim Hoey, Division Brand Marketing Director, Mizuno USA. "The support system a team can offer is far more powerful than a single individual. Team Inspire NYC is our way of demonstrating the powerful role that support and inspiration play in achieving personal goals, whether it's completing a marathon, overcoming illness, or other forms of hardship."

Members of Team Inspire NYC were selected based on their incredible stories of transformation, where running served as the life-changing instrument in overcoming challenges in their lives. Mizuno hopes Team Inspire NYC can serve as a broader platform of inspiration for individuals facing their own personal challenges. Runners and race fans across the country can follow Team Inspire NYC at #Run2Inspire.

Five inspiring individuals comprise Team Inspire NYC, hear their stories on Mizuno's YouTube page, www.youtube.com/MizunoBrand.

Carley Houser
As a recovering alcoholic, Houser uses running to help her to stay sober. She successfully completed a 12-step program and has remained sober more than three years. As a therapeutic release, she now participates in "Back on My Feet" running events, an organization providing programs and support for the homeless. Houser will add another accomplishment to her list as this will be her first marathon.

Susana Montesinos
Susana Montesinos truly embodies everything Team Inspire NYC stands for: dedication, grit and inspiration. She is a member of the Runstreet Club and is running in honor of her late father whom she lost to cancer. Montesinos started her running journey three years ago, at a time when she was so de-conditioned and overweight she could barely walk, let alone run a marathon. She's now setting out to tackle the granddaddy of them all, the NYC Marathon.

Leo Fernandez
This year's marathon will be Leo Fernandez's fifth. He's also competed in triathlons and a 70.3-mile half Ironman. After the Ironman, Leo decided that completing another race faster or longer was not enough for him. He needed a higher purpose – one that was less self-serving. He's since committed himself to helping others discover the empowering benefits of running for both physical and mental health. Leo is running the marathon for "Team for Kids," a national organization that supports youth programs. He's also running for his close friend Doug Cobb, whom Leo inspired to begin his own running regimen.

Doug Cobb
Doug Cobb is one of Leo Fernandez's protégés, and he's training for this year's marathon fueled by Fernandez's inspiration and direction. His marathon quest started last December when Leo asked him to do the NYRR Ted Korbit 15K in Central Park. As a result of that event, Doug was inspired to tackle the NYC marathon. Doug and Leo have been training together, in different cities, since June, with a few long runs together in Central Park. Even though they are several hundred miles away, the two stay motivated to train for the marathon. For Doug, running is a way to escape the world and the stresses of his career. Doug is also running for "Team for Kids."

Kovon Flowers
Kovon Flowers is dedicated to spreading the message and mission of a healthy brotherhood. He is the captain of the NYC chapter of Black Men Run, a running organization devoted to promoting the benefits of running among African American. Flowers was inspired to join the group as a means of getting his life back on track following a stroke. He has transformed from follower to leader and will captain 20 chapter members in the NYC Marathon, all of who have overcome a various personal challenges and/or medical ailments.

While the team members support one another, Mizuno is supporting the team with marathon entry fees and a full array of Mizuno running shoes and apparel. Mizuno will also showcase each team member's unique story of inspiration in a series of profile videos and ongoing social media content.

What began as the means of showcasing the superior "built-in support system" of Mizuno's new Wave Inspire 12 running shoe, has transformed into a platform to champion the emotional benefits of running and the incredible stories of support, inspiration and transformation that emerge at marathons around the country every year.

Runners can find the new Wave Inspire 12 running shoe in two-color options per gender at running specialty and sporting goods retailers nationwide, as well as online at www.mizuno.com. The suggested retail price is $119.99.

To learn more about Team Inspire NYC's incredible personal stories, follow its training and preparation for the Marathon, and its experience on race day, follow at #Run2Inspire. Also, follow Mizuno Running on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to share your running story and see first-hand the transformative power of running.

About Mizuno USA
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America.  Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/279996

SOURCE Mizuno USA, Inc.

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