Photos: What Caught Our Eye at The Running Event Trade Show

We spent parts of four days meeting, mingling, running and socializing at The Running Event trade show in Austin, Texas from Dec. 1-4. Here’s an inside glimpse at some of the shoes, apparel, accessories, events, people and trends from one of the running industry’s biggest trade shows.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

More than 35 shoe brands (including Pearl Izumi) and hundreds of apparel and accessory manufacturers showed off 2016 products to retailers and media during the show.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Records were shattered at the second annual FloTrack Beer Mile World Championship on a fenced-off course set up in the parking lot of the Austin American Statesman newspaper. Erin O’Mara set a new women’s beer mile world record by drinking four beers and running four laps in a time of 6:08.51. On the men’s side, Lewis Kent lowered his own world record, finishing in 4:47.17.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Soleus unveiled a signature series of red, white and blue watches honoring pro American runners Kara Goucher, Alysia Montano and Nick Symmonds. The Kara Goucher GPS One will retail for $89 when it hits stores in early February.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The Arc'Teryx Norvan SL Hoody is being touted as the lightest Gore-Tex Jacket ever built. A men's medium weighs just 4.0 oz. It hits stores in February with a price tag of $299.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Nuun offered samples of its Active and Energy hydration products, which now include only plant-based sweeteners (monk fruit and non-GMO dextrose). They're vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO certified.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Under Armour is going big into running shoes and this pair of Sprint Pro spikes is one of the many innovative products it will release in 2016. The Sprint Pro spikes have a SpeedForm upper and a double BOA closure system that create a wrapping second-skin fit. The retail price hasn't been reveled yet, but a similar pair with laces will cost $110.

Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Altra has made a name for itself over the past five years by producing road and trail running shoes with a zero-drop profile and a slightly wider foot-shaped toe box. Now it's pushing further into casual shoes with those same design elements. Pictured here are the suede Desert boot ($120) and Tokala Slip-On ($90) which hit stores in May.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Hoka One One and DeFeet Socks hosted a party with bands called The Fartleks and Cro Moly, each of which included a mixture of running industry people and professional musicians—including former 2:13 marathon Keith Dowling on guitar and ex-Goo Goo Dolls drummer and avid trail runner Mike Malinin on drums.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Nike's Aeroswift Shorts are made from a super-light four-way stretch fabric with a perforated waistband for maximum moisture management and comfort. They'll hit stores this spring with an $80 price tag.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Glukos displayed its new energy gummies made from glucose, the most efficient form of energy the body can consume during a race. They come in fruit punch, lemon and orange flavors and are gluten-, soy- and dairy-free and verified as a vegan product. A 2-oz. package (about $2) includes two 90-calorie servings. It also released a new glucose-based energy gel in the same flavors.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Zoot continues to infuse a SoCal style into its shoe and apparel lines. Its surf-inspired men's Boardshort running shorts come in a 7" ($45) or 9" ($50) inseam.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Numerous athletes attended the trade show on behalf of their sponsors. Champion ultrarunners Stephanie Howe and Rob Krar signed autographs at The North Face booth.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Athletes and industry personnel from brands mingled and met with retailers. From left to right: Hoka One One co-founder Nicolas Mermoud, trail runners Scott Jurek and Anton Krupicka, and Ultimate Direction brand leader Buzz Burrell.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

This polyester-filled winter running Kenya Running Vest from Janji shows of the innovative style and social consciousness of this design-oriented Boston-based brand that regularly donates part of its proceeds to international causes. It will retail for $82 when it hits stores in August.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Night Runner 270° Shoe Lights ($60) was one of the numerous products offered by small entrepreneurial companies at the trade show. They're like headlights for your feet. A winged design means you also have a rear facing red light on each foot. Each rechargeable 150-lumen light weighs slightly more than an energy gel and has a four- to eight-hour run time.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Caffeine-enhanced Run Gum, an entrepreneurial brand co-founded by elite middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds, will soon be available in a zesty Cinnamon flavor.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Hi-top running boots designed to tackle harsh winter weather or rugged mountain trails could be a big trend. Altra Lone Peak NeoShell Mid ($160), The North Face Ultra MT Winter ($170) and Hoka One One Tor Speed 2 Mid WP ($150) all slated for a late-summer or early fall arrival at stores.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

In 2016, Saucony is introducing bright, colorful versions of several of its best-selling shoes (including the Ride, Guide, Kinvara and Hurricane) in a program it's calling Run Pops. (The regular color motif versions will still be available too.)

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

A lot of running industry people could be seen dancing the night away at a performance by the Spazmatics, a 1980s cover band known for its silly antics and sing-a-long favorites.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The Indie 5K race is annually one of the fastest 5K races in the U.S., but it's only open to trade show attendees. In previous years, the top 10 men have typically finished under 15 minutes. This year the winner finished in 13:30, but it was later revealed the course was 2.85 miles and not 3.1.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

The RhinoMed Turbine breathing device for runners clips on the end of your nose and inserts into your nostrils to increase airflow during exercises. A three-pack costs $18.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Running socks are all the rage right now, both in terms of performance and style. Here are the updated versions of Balega's Enduro No Show and Contour socks.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Several brands showed off its top-of-the-line gear built for especially for the Olympics. These are adidas track and field spikes for sprinting, distance running and various field events.

Inside The Running Event Trade Show

Oklahoma City’s Red Coyote Running and Fitness, owned by Burke and Jon Beck (pictured a the center), was named the 2015 Running Store of the Year on Dec. 3 at the 50 Best Running Stores in America banquet on Dec. 3.

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Inside The Running Event Trade Show

On the last night of The Running Event, most of the industry gets their jam on at the Brooks party at a bar called Market. (That patriotic hats were a carryover from the Brooks trade show booth that had an election theme.)

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