Karhu Originals Tour '12 to Retrace the Route of Finland's U.S. Invasion

BEVERLY, Mass., April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- If you see a blue and white Airstream with the Finnish flag motoring down I-95 soon, Jukka Lehtinen, brand manager for Finland's legendary running brand Karhu, may well be at the wheel.

Starting this week, Karhu will retrace the highways and byways traveled by the Flying Finns during the 20th Century when they dominated world track and running.  Onboard will be an exhibition showcasing the evolution of running footwear and the newly introduced Karhu Originals line - shoes and apparel featuring the iconic Karhu colors from the 1980's.

The Karhu Originals Spring Tour '12 will kick-off in Boston where, in 1972, Olavi Suomalainen won the Boston Marathon in a staggering 2h.15m.39s wearing his favorite red Karhu Racers.  In fact, the Flying Finns have split the tape seven times in Boston; making Karhu shoes one of the winning-est footwear brands in the world's oldest annual marathon; first held in 1897.  The official kick-off event with Olavi will be held at noon on Saturday, April 14th at B Street/145 Seaport Blvd on Boston's waterfront.

Ports of call will also include New York City where, in 1926, Paavo Nurmi — Finland's most famous runner of all time — arrived by boat to race at sold out stadiums like Madison Square Garden and where crowds gathered at Van Cortlandt Park just to watch him train.  Nurmi went on to win all but two of the 55 races he entered across the country. Wearing, of course, his Karhu spikes.

Then, it's on to Philadelphia where the Flying Finns broke the 2-mile record and won the Penn Relays. Started in 1895, it's the oldest track and field event in the United States and to this day one of the most prestigious.

The Karhu Originals Tour will also be making stops at select boutiques and dealer stores along the way. 

"If you want to jump behind the wheel for a trip across America, now is your chance," says Huub Valkenburg, CEO of Karhu. "Runners are wanted! We are looking for the perfect candidate to co-pilot the converted Airstream this fall."  You will have your road race entries paid for and visit events and retailers during an epic 4,000 mile trip. Just upload a video that explains why you are the perfect candidate at www.karhu.com/runnerswanted.

Lisa Lazarczyk
781.646.0667/[email protected]

SOURCE Karhu