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Foot Locker And Asics America Announce 'Real Lives. Real Runners.' Winning Film

FL | October 27, 2015

'The Push' Selected to Air as Official Foot Locker Commercial during TCS NYC Marathon Broadcast

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, and ASICS America Corporation today announced that "The Push," created by filmmaker Evan Kelman and featuring Marco Reininger, was selected as the winner of the "Real Lives. Real Runners," film contest. "The Push" will air nationally on Sunday, Nov. 1, during the television broadcast of the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon on ESPN2 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET.

Reininger, a U.S. Army veteran living in New York City, runs every day to pay homage to his fellow brothers in arms. He reflects daily on his time served on active duty and intense training, which provides him with the motivation to push harder and always give more than is expected.

The "Real Lives. Real Runners." campaign, which launched in June with MOFILM, invited aspiring filmmakers to identify authentic runners and document in a short film why they run and how running impacts their lives ahead of the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon. The top three submissions, which featured stories of runners from all walks of life, were screened at an exclusive event hosted by Foot Locker and ASICS America on Oct. 26. An esteemed panel of judges including Olympic medalist and American marathon record holder Deena Kastor, ESPN sports business analyst Darren Rovell and New York Road Runners Chairman of the Board George Hirsch, ultimately selected "The Push" based on its compelling story and sophisticated elements of production.

"We received many inspiring submissions as part of the 'Real Lives. Real Runners.' campaign, each detailing the positive effects that running has on so many people," said Stacy Cunningham, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Foot Locker. "We're excited that 'The Push' will be our official spot during the New York City Marathon broadcast, celebrating the great sport of running."

"We're always looking to capture the true essence of running that Foot Locker and ASICS share," said Shannon Scott, ASICS America Corporation senior director of marketing. "Out of all the inspirational videos, 'The Push' did an amazing job at showcasing what running means to people from all walks of life."

To view the top five "Real Lives. Real Runners." film submissions, including "The Push" visit: FootLocker.com/RealLivesRealRunners.

Foot Locker has been dedicated to championing the sport of running and welcoming all runners for more than four decades. In further support of its official 2015 TCS New York City Marathon sponsorship, Foot Locker will celebrate five inspiring runners who have used running to overcome personal trials and tribulations as a part of the annual, "Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge." The Five Borough Challenge team will run the first 13.1 miles of the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon together on Sunday, Nov. 1 and go on to complete the last 13.1 miles of the race at their own pace.

About Foot Locker, Inc.

Foot Locker is part of Foot Locker, Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates more than 3,400 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, SIX:02, Runners Point, and Sidestep retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channels, including Eastbay.com, footlocker.com, and SIX:02.com, the Company is a leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

About ASICS:

Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com. Follow @ASICSamerica on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for exclusive content and real-time news around ASICS products, events, and elite athletes.

About MOFILM:

MOFILM is the leading content creation community, connecting filmmakers and photographers from around the world with global brands to showcase talent and create innovative new ideas. MOFILM provides production grants, along with mentoring and advice throughout the entire creative process of their contests and direct commissions, from script to final edit, to ensure that the filmmakers have the best opportunity for their work to be used by that brand. Clients utilize our work across all channels including digital, broadcast and cinema. Additional information may be found at mofilm.com | Facebook: facebook.com/mofilm | Twitter: @MOFILM | Instagram: @mofilmugc | YouTube: youtube.com/mofilmchannel

About the TCS New York City Marathon:

The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the largest marathon in the world. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features the world's top professional athletes and a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. The race began in 1970 with just 127 entrants running four laps around Central Park, and expanded citywide in 1976. In 2014, a record 50,530 runners from 130 countries toured New York City's five boroughs, including the one-millionth finisher in the history of the event, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and running through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, before ending in Manhattan at the iconic Central Park finish line. More than one million spectators line the city streets to cheer on the runners, while millions more watch the live television broadcast in the United States and around the world. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series featuring the world's top marathons — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York — and crowning the top professional male and female marathoners in the world. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, is the premier partner of NYRR and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon. To learn more, visit the TCS New York City Marathon website at www.tcsnycmarathon.com.