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Passion for the Run Drives Development; Differentiates Brand As 'Designed by Runners, for Runners' BOTHELL, Wash., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ask an athlete what it takes to be No. 1 and they'll likely say focus, determination and dedication. Brooks Sports, Inc. applies the same philosophy to its business -- centered exclusively on the run -- a winning strategy that continues to pay off. Since its debut, Brooks' 2005 product line has scored a number of industry accolades. Most recently, Runner's World magazine awarded Brooks' Adrenaline GTS 6 "Best Update" in the leading running magazine's Fall 2005 Shoe Guide. The Guide appears in Runner's World's September issue, which hit newsstands this week. When developing running gear, Brooks uses a simple but effective approach: tap runners to inspire performance products that address their running lifestyle needs. "This award is a credit to our focused design, development and commercialization process," said Stan Mavis, senior vice president of product at Brooks. "We spend thousands of hours every year at races, on the trail and in the biotech lab talking and listening to runners, learning what they need for a better run. Their continuous feedback has helped us refine the Adrenaline GTS and make it one of the top stability shoes on the market today. This award is as much for them as it is for us." Runners continually refer to the Adrenaline GTS as the best fit in the industry. Runner's World touted the Adrenaline GTS 6 as a shoe ideal for runners "with normal arches looking for a stable, responsive trainer." And with the shoe's recent updates -- including a firmer midsole, repositioned outsole flex grooves and an overall lighter weight -- runners now receive a smoother heel-to-toe transition through the gait cycle. Runner's World wear-testers described the shoe as "excellent in terms of support, breathability and durability" -- areas Brooks focused on for the Adrenaline GTS 6. Remarkably, Runner's World editors granted this well-liked Brooks shoe's previous version, the Adrenaline GTS 5, the "Best Update" award in the magazine's 2004 Fall Shoe Guide. Because runners are discerning customers who typically remain very loyal to a particular shoe, the Brooks footwear team worked hard when developing the Adrenaline GTS 6 to balance the inevitable footwear design dichotomy: advance a shoe in a way that improves the ride, but don't alter it so much that it changes the shoe's running customer profile. Brooks' Runner's World award is the latest addition to a growing list of industry accolades presented to the company this year. Brooks' new trail running shoe, the Cascadia, received an "Editor's Choice" award in Trail Runner (May 2005) and "Best Trail Shoe" in Running Network (March 2005), not to mention rave reviews in Runner's World, Running Times, Outside and an upcoming issue of Health (October 2005). Brooks' product innovation doesn't stop with shoes. Its new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) collection combines silver-infused fabric with seamless construction to prompt the movement of heat and moisture. This scientific functionality regulates body temperature, decreases hotspots and chafing, and naturally eliminates odor. In addition, Brooks' new lightweight L.S.D. Jacket, weighing in at a mere 3.1 oz., defies water and wind with unsurpassable breathability. "Runners can't always count on the weather, so they need to be able to count on gear that works," said Warren Greene, gear editor of Runner's World. "The Brooks performance products we've tested have continually scored very well among 'wear tester' groups of all levels, and we found the Adrenaline GTS 6 to be no exception." The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6 will be available Sept. 1, 2005, at specialty running stores nationwide and on http://brooksrunning.com/ . About Brooks Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 80 countries worldwide. Part of the Russell Corporation (NYSE:RML), Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company's mission is to inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther and faster. Visit http://www.brooksrunning.com/ for more information. Contact: Tamara Hills Melissa Chambers Brooks Sports, Inc. Edelman 425-489-2444 206-268-2235 DATASOURCE: Brooks Sports, Inc. CONTACT: Tamara Hills of Brooks Sports, Inc., +1-425-489-2444, or ; or Melissa Chambers of Edelman, +1-206-268-2235, or , for Brooks Sports, Inc. Web site: http://www.brooksrunning.com/

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