Their partnership started in 2017 however it involves life — actually — in a brand new collaboration between Courtney Dauwalter and her sponsor Suunto, the Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney, which is on the market at the moment for $450. With this launch, the present Suunto Race S Titanium GPS watch now comes with the non-compulsory “Courtney Glow” strap which, at nighttime, glows with Dauwalter’s mantra “consider” spelled out in her personal handwriting.
“It’s like having a teammate or secret cheerleader in your wrist,” explains Dauwalter.
The Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney. Picture courtesy of Suunto.
This model of the watch itself is just not new, however Suunto Product Supervisor Markus Kemetter instructed us that Dauwalter was closely concerned within the improvement of the Race S, significantly in serving to emphasize the significance of its light-weight design and long-lasting battery, essential for consolation and accuracy throughout 100-mile races. These two elements are usually in opposition since a much bigger show and case enable extra room for a much bigger, longer-lasting battery. By way of its personal battery improvements, paring down options (the Race S Titanium is waterproof to 50 meters as a substitute of the usual 100 meters), and utilizing titanium (which is lighter than metal), the watch is among the longest-performing watches in its weight class.
This collaboration signifies a broader development in ultrarunning with premier athletes within the sport getting collaborative offers and signature merchandise with manufacturers. Dauwalter’s well-known quirks and private fashion have led to the Salomon “Shortney,” the Tailwind Diet “Dauwaltermelon” drink combine, and the Injinji “Courtney Crew” socks, amongst different Dauwalter co-branded merchandise.
Courtney Dauwalter working in Shortneys. Photograph: @the.journey.bakery
Extra of the game’s prime ultrarunners push “inspired-by” or collaborative merchandise. Smith introduced new sun shades referred to as the Seeker with Anton Krupicka this 12 months, and in 2023 Coros launched the Apex 2 Professional Kilian Jornet version. Even athletes with crossover enchantment, like skilled bowhunter and ultrarunner Cameron Hayes, earn offers with manufacturers, most lately together with his Speedland shoe, the GS: RAR.
On the subject of collaborative merchandise between manufacturers and ultrarunners, Derek Dalzell, the pinnacle of client schooling at Coros, stated, “Ultrarunning is on the rise and extra athletes are shifting to longer distances. Professionals enable a model to focus on the instruments wanted on the highest stage, but in addition showcase that whatever the problem, merchandise can maintain up in all circumstances. An expert will even present inspiration and motivation for others who comply with of their steps.”
In different phrases, merchandise endorsed by skilled ultrarunners assist to encourage customers to begin participating in actions or present additional motivation to proceed.
It’s additionally in regards to the group as an entire. “Providing a co-branded piece of kit helps to construct consciousness of the game additional and for these at the moment within the sport it’s a reminder to push past the norm so the game can proceed to evolve,” Dalzell stated.
The Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney. Picture courtesy of Suunto.
Sports activities advertising and marketing has been the engine for giving on a regular basis athletes the sensation that they might “Be Like Mike,” by shopping for merchandise endorsed by professional athletes like Michael Jordan.
In skilled sports activities typically — however ultrarunning particularly — social media has introduced the athlete nearer to their followers and provides sponsors a measurable affect rating. For athlete-influencers a wide range of achievements — not simply race outcomes — can spell notoriety and assist manufacturers leverage it.
For data-hungry runners, fashionable GPS watches proceed to astound with information to tell not simply the standard of your run however every part earlier than, after, and in between associated to your well being and efficiency. One of many extremely customizable choices in GPS watches is the info displayed on-screen whereas working. Dauwalter spilled the beans on what her Suunto Race S Titanium all the time shows:
“My watch face reveals ‘time in movement,’ ‘mileage,’ ‘present altitude,’ ‘complete climbing,’ and ‘present mile tempo,’” Dauwalter stated. “Throughout races, I rely totally on how I really feel however after I look down at these explicit particulars it helps me hone in on what is admittedly taking place with my run, not simply my notion.”
Courtney Dauwalter hamming it up on the Tailwind Diet Dauwaltermelon theme earlier than the 2024 Hardrock 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks