Balega Presents Annual Ubuntu Award to Naperville Running Company

Durham, N.C. (December 20, 2016) – Balega International, a leading performance sock brand in the run and outdoor specialty markets, presented its annual Ubuntu Award for community service to Naperville Running Company of Naperville, IL. Balega presented its 2016 Ubuntu Award to store owners Kris Hartner and Susanna Gotsch at The 2016 Running Event (TRE) in Orlando, Fla. on December 1. 

“Kris, Susanna and everyone at Naperville Running prioritize community service and they are dedicated to putting service at the forefront of their overall company mission,” said Tanya Pictor, Vice President of Marketing at Implus Specialty. “We are proud to honor them with this award for their clear passion and dedication to community.”

Since the inception of TRE, Balega has presented the Ubuntu Award annually to running specialty stores that excel in community service and involvement. Ubuntu originated in Africa and roughly translates to “human kindness.” The term, popularized by Nelson Mandela, translates as “I am a person through other people,” meaning only by banding together as a community and working together can we truly call ourselves human. 

The Ubuntu Award recognizes thoughtful actions that have long lasting effects on the lives of people in local communities. Naperville Running Company received this prestigious award to acknowledge their establishment of the entrepreneurial program at North Central College this past year. Because of the help from Naperville Running Company and its donation of $100,000 to launch the program, students at North Central College will now be able to receive startup funding for an enterprise with social impact. In addition, through the running store’s generosity, an academic program as part of North Central College’s Leadership, Ethics and Values department will offer a “Social Impact Entrepreneurship” class this fall.

“The goal is building a program that supports students so that when they walk across the stage on graduation day, they have spent the past few years creating an actual operating business. It’s hugely important to us and our future to give these students the tools they need to create a business with the Ubuntu spirit in mind,” said Kris Hartner, owner of Naperville Running Company. 

Additionally, Naperville Running Company’s team of 28 is known throughout their local community for their knowledge of the running industry and their enthusiasm and passion for helping customers. The store previously has been awarded top running store in the United States and Naperville Small Business of the Year. 

“The awards ceremony at TRE is such an energizing event, and receiving the Ubuntu Award in recognition for our team’s commitment to our community in ways that go beyond running is simply amazing,” said Hartner. “With Balega’s integrity and the good work that they’re doing, it really makes each and every one of us in the specialty run industry look at our business and it motivates us to do better by reminding us about the importance of giving back to our community.”

To learn more about Naperville Running Company, please visit http://runningcompany.com.

About Balega International

A leading performance sock brand in the run specialty market, Balega is a designer and manufacturer of technical performance socks and part of the Implus family of brands. With a proud American-South African initiative, the company develops its product in both South Africa and North Carolina production facilities utilizing the best performance yarns produced in the United States. Crafted for a superior fit and unmatched comfort, Balega is committed to the technical excellence, quality, and performance expected in the Balega brand. A brand with ‘sole,’ Balega prides itself on its commitment to the community with projects aimed at enriching those less fortunate than ourselves. For more information, visitwww.balega.com.

About Implus International

A leading performance sock brand in the run specialty market, Balega is a designer and manufacturer of technical performance socks and part of the Implus family of brands. With a proud American-South African initiative, the company develops its products in both South Africa and North Carolina production facilities utilizing the best performance yarns produced in the United States. Crafted for a superior fit and unmatched comfort, Balega is committed to the technical excellence, quality, and performance expected from the Balega brand. For more information, visitwww.implus.com.

Media Contact:
Tessa DuBois
Verde Brand Communications
tdubois@verdepr.com
970-259-3555