Vasque Rep Wins Accolades from Trail Runner Magazine

Trail runner and upper Midwest Vasque sales rep Dan Dehlin has won his division in the fourth annual Trail Runner Trophy Series. Dehlin, who has raced for years, won the 20-29 age group division in the Marathon and Shorter category.

The 2007 series included more than 21,000 participants in 115 races ranging from 5K to 150 miles. Points were awarded for placement in individual events, weighted, and then tabulated at the end of the series. Dehlin, who had several top finishes, including a first place finish in Michigan’s Grand Island Trail Marathon last July, won with 285.5 total points.

Dehlin, age 27, sees himself first and foremost as a Vasque sales rep and field tester, not as a great athlete. Nevertheless, he’s excited about his latest accomplishment. “It’s really got me thinking about 2008,” says Dehlin. “I’d like to throw myself into the Ultra World starting with the Free State 100K next April.” That race, sponsored by Vasque, takes place on a 21-mile loop course around Clinton Lake in Lawrence, Kansas. “Another top priority is defending my Grand Island win.”

Dehlin would also like to complete the 2008 Hasegawa Cup, a 77K trail race in Japan. “It’s a long way to go for a race, but I think it will be fun. And besides, I’m planning to work while I’m there – on and off the trail I’ll be representing Vasque as their brand ambassador.”

Dehlin’s enthusiasm, says Outdoor Division Director & Vasque Brand Manager, Mark Dinndorf, is invaluable for the company. “Dan is a great sales rep, but he’s also great for our design team. He wears our trail running shoes in all his races, and he really puts them to the test. He’s running long miles out there. The feedback we get from him goes way beyond our highest expectations.”

For his part, Dehlin says running in a pair of Vasques comes naturally. “I was a Vasque user before I ever became involved with the company. I think there is something to be said for selling what you use, not using what you sell. It all comes down to fit. You may have the best shoe in the world, but if it doesn’t fit your foot it’s not the best shoe in the world for you. Vasque places so much emphasis on fit that it’s always been the one for me.”

Based in Red Wing, MN, Vasque is a leading manufacturer of performance outdoor footwear. For more information about Vasque’s products and retailers, visit www.vasque.com.

# # #