"The red sign with big black letters read 'Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.' It sparked a wave of displeasure among some in the running community, a group Nike has been working to strengthen its relationship with."
"'Let's not shame people for their pace,' TikToker and running influencer Andy Glaze said in a video on Friday. Another running influencer, Elizabeth Ropp, stated, 'In a world with so much negativity, to me, this kind of mentality is harmful.'"
"'We'll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners,' the statement said. Runners have been a big part of Nike's turnaround strategy since CEO Elliott Hill took over in 2024."
Nike faced backlash for a controversial ad ahead of the Boston Marathon that read, 'Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.' The ad was criticized by runners on social media, prompting Nike to remove it. Influencers expressed that the message was harmful and shamed slower runners. Nike acknowledged the mistake, stating the sign 'missed the mark' and committed to improving its support for all runners. Despite challenges, Nike's running business has seen revenue growth, and the company is focused on a comeback strategy in sports.
Read at www.businessinsider.com
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