Posted: March 17, 2005

Athletics: Brooks Sports® Adds Premier Marathon to Race Roster

Partners with Twin Cities Marathon in Licensing Agreement

BOTHELL, Wash. - (March 15, 2005) - Brooks Sports, Inc., a leader in high-performance running gear, has announced a new licensing agreement with the Twin Cities Marathon (TCM). The two-year Gold level partnership makes Brooks the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the TCM, the first qualifying marathon for the 2008 Olympic Trials. As part of the partnership, Brooks will manage the production, design and marketing for all TCM licensed and commemorative technical gear in 2005 and 2006.

"The Twin Cities Marathon is one of the country's most respected events based on its superb organization, fantastic environment and a healthy following of runners and spectators who know how to celebrate the run," said Kim Anderson, events marketing manager for Brooks. "We couldn't be more thrilled to support the marathon and its participants as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the most beautiful urban marathon in America."

Brooks/TCM licensed gear, featuring the marathon logo on Brooks' high-performance running apparel and accessories, as well as commemorative T-shirts and sweatshirts, will be available online prior to the race through www.twincitiesmarathon.org, as well as at the marathon's Health & Fitness Expo during the final days leading up to the event. Licensed gear will become available in July for pre-orders through early September.

"We're continuously looking for new ways to draw attention to the sport of running and motivate someone to take that first step," said Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of Twin Cities Marathon. "There's no other brand we'd rather see our logo on than Brooks. Brooks brings such inspiration to runners of all levels, and we're confident this partnership will help more people become as passionate about the Twin Cities Marathon as we are."

The 24th Twin Cities Marathon, also known as the "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™," will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2, and runs through the scenic neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The 2005 TCM registration will open on April 29, 2005, and is expected to fill within three weeks. Official TCM weekend events take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

For 2005, the Twin Cities Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, hosts the USA Men's and Women's Championship and for the 15th consecutive year, the USA Masters Championships.

About Brooks
Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 80 countries worldwide. Part of the Russell Corporation (NYSE: RML), Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company's mission is to inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther and faster. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.