Running at this year’s Blue Nose put Nicole Delaney and Marcia Walsh on a whole new training program - one that has seen them launch Runalicious, a website featuring their own line of “running inspired” clothing for women.
Having seen lots of funky, fashion-first gear for women at runners’ expos at other events they’d attended in the United States and Canada, the duo - best friends and running buddies - couldn’t help but notice the lack of similar fun stuff at local events.
The idea to launch their own line of clothing for women who run had been percolating for a few months, but it was when they took a look around the runners’ expo at the Blue Nose this past May when they decided to take their idea and, well, run with it.
“We love to run and we love to shop so this just made sense for us. We knew what we wanted so we just decided to go for it,” Walsh said.
In a little more than a month – just in time for the Johnny Miles Weekend up in New Glasgow – the two had launched their website and booked a space at the runners’ expo to sell their “cute and sassy” long- and short-sleeved t-shirts and tank tops with bright pink slogans, such as “running girl,” “marathon girl,” and “runalicious.”
The shirts flew off their table and web sales have since taken off.
“In one hour (at the Johnny Miles event) we did phenomenal,” Delaney said. “We knew then that at least we had demand and that this was going to work.”
Women love the slogans as soon as they see them, Delaney said, adding that they have some new ones in mind and are going to run a contest for new ideas in the coming weeks.
“Running is something to be proud of. We want to share that with other women and celebrate together,” she said.
Suitable for looking great post run, the shirts are a polyester, cotton, rayon blend from American Apparel.
They recently launched a kids line of tees for girls ages two to six years and plan to start carrying youth clothing as well. Looking to the future, they want to sell a full line of high-performance running gear for women - keeping fun and fashion up front, of course.
“We’re starting small but we have big plans. We want to be the Lululemon of the East Coast,” laughs Walsh.
Runalicious is on Facebook and Twitter. Look for them at running events in the region over the next few months or at www.runalicious.showitsite.com.
jveitch@ns.sympatico.ca
