JackRabbit Sports Monthly Newsletter

Come Enjoy Your Best Valentine's Day Ever!⇒

What better place could you possibly think of to meet someone than JackRabbit? Runners are friendly, active, intelligent, social and lots of fun. We've planned some really fun Valentine's Day events in each of our three stores to help connect single runners. Plus anyone who comes to any of these events gets 15% off shoes and 20% off apparel. Here's what's going on at our stores:

UNION SQUARE: We're teaming up with Save the Date(ing) to present Love Cubed, a 5K run along Hudson River Park to benefit the American Cancer Society. Following the run, mix and mingle with other New York singles while enjoying delectable hors d'oeuvres, a premium top shelf bar, raffle prizes and discounts on JackRabbit merchandise.

42 W. 14th St., Sunday, Feb 14th. 12pm fun run, 1pm-3pm open bar mixer

UPPER EAST SIDE: We're partnering with Team In Training for a Giveaway Contest and a Fun Run in and around Central Park! We want to know what you LOVE about running. Tell us in two sentences why you love the sport and we'll post some of the the entries on the Team In Training and JackRabbit Facebook pages. A panel of TnT and JackRabbit judges will determine the best entry and the winner will be announced and will receive a prize at the Fun Run on 2/14. All paces are welcome to come join the run. We will meet at 9am at JackRabbit. Email Justin to submit your entry.

Lexington between 84th & 85th St, Sunday, Feb 14th at 9:00am

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN: Do you want to meet someone special who shares your Running Obsession? Come to the Brooklyn store on Valentine's Day for a fun singles run! We will hand out free gifts from Team In Training and coupons for a discount on brunch at Stone Park (so you can go on an instant date with your new friend), not to mention fun ice breaker questions to get the conversation running. The Run will start at 12:30pm and we'll do one loop of Prospect Park at a conversational pace. Email Ben with any questions.

151 7th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, Sunday, Feb 14th at 12:30pm

Kiss Your Sweetie Promo⇒

From Thurs Feb 4 until Valentines Day we're offering a special promo for couples. Come into any of our stores with your sweetie and get:

15% off any two or more pairs of shoes

20% off any two or more pieces of apparel

But, in order to earn your discount you have to kiss your sweetie at the register. That's right, just share a kiss with your special someone to get your discount! Just make sure one of our staff members sees the kiss, because just telling us you kissed someone doesn't count. If you don't have a sweetie at the moment you can always try to meet someone at the store, or better yet come to one of the Valentine's day singles events listed above on Feb 14th to get the same great deals.

Scott Jurek is coming to New York!⇒

JackRabbit is proud to host Scott Jurek for a series of events, presentations, and group runs in New York City during the first week in March. Scott is sponsored by Brooks, and we are grateful for Brooks' support in putting on this series of events.

Many people have been introduced to Scott through the best selling book Born to Run. But before that Scott was already one of the top ultramarathoners in the world, with seven consecutive wins of the Western States 100 where he is the course record holder, two consecutive wins of the 135 mile Badwater Ultramarathon through Death Valley and up Mount Whitney, and three consecutive wins of the Spartathalon, a 153 mile race from Athens to Sparta.

Scott is also a strong advocate for living on a whole food, locally sourced vegetarian diet. Scott began to transition to a vegetarian diet in 1997 and adopted a completely vegan diet in 1999 out of both health and environmental concerns. All of the ultramarathon wins in Colorado, Badwater and Greece were fueled on a completely vegan diet, and Scott continues to compete in 8-10 ultra races each year on vegan food he mostly prepares himself.

If you enjoyed Born to Run, please consider making a donation to Norawas de Raramuri. This nonprofit organization that was recently formed to support the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon in providing corn and bean prizes as well as meals and lodging for the Tarahumara racers. This year race director Caballo Blanco is expecting 300 Tarahumara runners and $10 will more than provide lodging and meals for a Tarahumara runner for the 4 days of race activities.  Women Tarahumara runners have also begun to participate, and this year they are expecting 30 or more Tarahumaran women!

To learn more about Scott:

Visit Scott's web site

Become a Fan of Scott on Facebook

Follow Scott on Twitter

We have arranged a number of events and presentations to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to meet Scott while he is here.

Wednesday Evening, March 3rd 7pm

Slideshow and presentation in JackRabbit’s Union Sq store

RSVP through Facebook for Weds Eve Slideshow

Suggested donation to Norawas de Raramuri: $5-$10

Thursday Lunch, March 4th 12 Noon

Slideshow and presentation in JackRabbit’s Union Sq store

RSVP through Facebook for Thurs Lunch Slideshow

Suggested donation to Norawas de Raramuri: $5-$10

Thursday Evening, March 4th 7pm

Register now through Active.com – this event will sell out.

A private, intimate dinner and discussion with Scott at NYC’s famed Blue Hill restaurant. Only 14 seats are available. Proceeds from the event will benefit Healthcorps, a non-profit that is fighting youth obesity through school-based peer mentoring, community activism and advocacy in NYC and nationwide. $250 per person includes a wonderful dinner prepared from foods grown at Blue Hill’s farm in the Hudson Valley and from other local artisanal growers. (75 Washington Pl in the West Village.)

More information on Blue Hill Restaurant

More information on HealthCorps

Saturday Morning, March 6th 8am

Morning group run with Scott in Central Park. Meet at Engineers' Gate (5th Ave and 90th St). The route will take us on the roads and bridle paths throughout the park. Pace and distance will be appropriate for runners of all levels.

RSVP through Facebook for Sat AM Group Run

Sunday Morning, March 7th 8am

Morning group run in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Meet at Grand Army Plaza (1 Prospect Park West). The route will take us on the roads and paths through some of the park’s hidden gems. Pace and distance will be appropriate for runners of all levels.

RSVP through Facebook for Sun AM Group Run

New Winter Items Now Available⇒

180 EARWARMERS in stock - As seen on the Today Show! When your ears are warm, you feel warm all over. These innovative windproof ear warmers wrap behind the head and fit snugly during even the most vigorous run or ride. Adjust the strap for a custom fit. They collapse into themselves for easy storage, and work great under a hat or helmet.

TRACTION BOOTIES $4.00 each UES Store only - The Traction Booties are ideal for times when your dog needs a little more traction - on ice, sand, snow, maybe even on your wood floor. The specially made fabric stays flexible in cold weather and is waterproof. They are perfect for protecting those paws from the sting of the salt on our sidewalks and streets.

EVERYDAY LEASH $17.00 UES Store only - The Everyday Leash is incredibly versatile in terms of length and temporary hitches. The human end can go from handle to waist belt to easy hitch in seconds.

WETSUITS - Hurry in and get a wetsuit while they are 40% Off! Offer ends soon as we anticipate the arrival of the new 2010 suits.

Winter Sock Care Tip: Here's a nifty tip for keeping your socks soft and cushy: wash them inside out. When they go through the dryer, the pile will fluff back up.

New Pool and Armory Updates⇒

Construction has finally started on a new six-lane, 25- yard pool at the Prospect Park YMCA on Ninth Street in Brooklyn. Almost four years ago, JackRabbit founder Lee Silverman joined the board of the 9th St Y branch to help push through the construction of the new pool.

To house the new pool, the Y is building an aquatics center behind the current building, with windows on 8th St. The pool will be on the ground floor in a big open room lit by sunlight and providing plenty of space for both recreational and athletic swimmers. The old (3 lane, 20 yard) pool will remain open for classes and other events so that the new pool can be available for lap swimming as much as possible. Look for the new pool to open in the summer of 2011, about 18 months from now.

In addition, the Y has taken over operations of the Park Slope Armory on 8th Ave and 14th St. The new Armory facility is a great workout space with treadmills and exercise studios, and it also houses a fantastic track in a huge, open facility. JackRabbit is working with the Y to offer at least one speedwork class using the indoor track, and other programming is in the works. Check out YMCA for more info about the Armory, and keep an eye on the newsletter for upcoming training programs.

JackRabbit New Year's Training Programs⇒

Upcoming Events from JackRabbit Partners⇒

Indoor Triathlon Series Continues⇒

Whether you're an experienced triathlete or a beginner looking to get started in the sport, the indoor triathlon is sure to provide you with a fun and challenging experience. Our next event is this Feburary 28th at the Prospect Park YMCA. Registration is still open at More Information & Registration

Greg is Healthy and Back at Work⇒

Greg Hamilton is healthy and cancer-free! After several rounds of chemotherapy Greg travelled to Indiana for surgery to remove the remaining cancer, and then came back to New York for several more rounds of chemo. He has finished his last round of treatment and all indications are that he is now cancer-free. Greg is returning to work in the Brooklyn store in February. Thanks to everyone who helped support Greg in the race last year -- your help made a huge difference to Greg's care and ability to focus in his treatment and getting better.