New Balance Canada and Olympic Gold Medalist Hit the Ground Running

Former Speed Skater, Francois Hamelin, joins Team NB as their newest Running Ambassador on Global Running Day

MONTREAL, June 6, 2018 /CNW/ - New Balance Canada is celebrating Global Running Day with a new addition to Team NB. Former Speed Skater and Olympic Gold Medalist, Francois Hamelin will become New Balance Canada's latest Running Ambassador.

Activating in the Montreal region, 3-time Olympian Hamelin, who won Gold in the 5000m relay at the 2010 Winter Olympics, will be tasked with inspiring and encouraging Montrealers to get out and run this year in celebration of Global Running Day.

"We'd like to formally welcome Francois to the New Balance family as our newest Running Ambassador," states Jon Purdy, Sr. Marketing Manager a New Balance Canada. "Our brand has deep roots within the running community; our collective team of elite athletes and grassroots running ambassadors is a critical touchstone to ensuring we are always supporting runners across Canada."

Since announcing his retirement from Speed Skating earlier this year, Hamelin has set his sights to pursuing a career in long distance running. Hamelin is eager to begin his new role as Running Ambassador in collaboration with New Balance Canada and local Run Specialty retailer, Boutique Courir.

"I am equally excited and humbled that such a well-known brand as New Balance is willing to support me in my new sport endeavours," states Francois Hamelin. "This transition has been quick for me, but to know the team at New Balance Canada and Boutique Courir are behind me and encouraging me, motivates me to train even harder."

In addition to Hamelin, five other Team NB Athletes and Running Ambassadors will be encouraging their local communities to participate in Global Running Day:

Julie-Anne Staehli - Kingston, ON
Kurtis Marlow - Kingston, ON
Trevor Hofbauer - Calgary, AB
Ross Proudfoot - Toronto, ON
Gen Lalonde - Toronto, ON

To get in on the action be sure to follow New Balance Canada on Twitter (@NewBalanceCan) Instagram (@NewBalanceCanada) and Facebook (NewBalanceCanada) on June 6^th and share your experience using the hashtag: #GlobalRunningDay.

About New Balance:

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. Manufactured in the U.S. for over 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance Made U.S. is a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 7,000 associates around the globe, and in 2016 reported worldwide sales of $3.8 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.

SOURCE New Balance

Jess Copeland, New Balance Athletics, Inc., Work: 289.290.6059, [email protected]