Lesedi Pub Run

Time: 30:11
Distance: ~4 miles

This evening I had the pleasure of helping out at Fleet Feet Columbia's Lesedi Pub Run. The sock brand that I rep, Balega Sports, fosters a unique relationship between the U.S. and South Africa. Essentially, one of the company's owners had the idea of a high quality sock he wanted to have produced with some of his yarn. Just up the road in Hickory, NC is where Balega is headquartered. The office sits in the heart of the old textile industry which still has ties to the socks, though it is a dwindling industry. While more manufacturing is being outsourced to Asia, Balega's owner traveled the world visiting textile factories capable of making this special sock. He fell in love with one such facility in Cape Town. The owners, workers and product quality all fit the requirements. And that's how Balega's socks came to be produced at the tip of Africa. Well, that's the short version of the story.

Balega does a lot for the community here in the U.S. and in South Africa. One such initiative is the Lesedi Project that was started to help the Ethembeni School. In partnership with Fleet Feet Inc., Balega Sports donates all the proceeds from a special series of socks and beads back to the school. Additional fundraisers are held throughout the year to help the students. The event this evening was one of these efforts to raise money for a playground. Previously, the Lesedi Project helped purchase a bus for the students to travel on field trips.

Fleet Feet Columbia invited its customers to attend a pub run to buy/donate $10 for a pint glass and t-shirt. The money is split between a charity of the store's choice (Girls on the Run) and the Ethembeni School. This was the second event I've done this summer/fall where 40 to 50 people showed up and helped out for a good cause.

Tonight I ran with various people at a nice easy pace through the University of South Carolina campus. There were lots of stairs on the run and even a couple walking bridges. I had no idea where we were in relation to the finish point, but I was able to keep up with everyone. Meagan tagged along too and chatted with everyone. It was a fun way to spend the evening with an account and earn some money for two good causes.

Since I've been talking about Balega so much, it should be mentioned they are in the running for the IRRA Vendor of the Year Award. The Independent Running Retailer Association has recognized four brands for their: product consistency, commitment to specialty run and excellent customer service. The other three vendors are Asics, Brooks and Saucony so it's funny to think that a small company from Hickory, NC and Cape Town, South Africa could walk away with a big honor at next week's The Running Event in Texas.