Saucony’s Run For Good^sm Program AnnouncesGrant Winners

Grassroots Running Programs Across the Country Recognized For Giving Kids a Running Start to Good Health

Lexington, MA (July 17, 2007) – Children are now facing one of the most important challenges of their lives: adopting a healthy lifestyle that will provide the foundation for a healthy future.

According to the National Obesity Association, today’s youth are considered the most inactive generation in history.  Additionally research from the Centers for Disease Control shows childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last two decades and over 9 million American children are now estimated to be obese. With funding for physical education programs also on the decline, Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR), and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, has taken the fight against childhood obesity on and is pleased to announce its latest Saucony Run For Good Program grant winners.

The Saucony Run For Good Foundation gives kids across the country a running start to a lifetime of good health through community-based programs that support youth-oriented running and fitness activities. For the first time in over 100 years, the lifespan of children is now shorter than their parents. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, lack of physical activity and poor dietary habits are to blame. As the running industry continues to grow by all measures, Saucony is committed to cultivating a new wave of younger -
runners while at the same time addressing the national epidemic in childhood obesity.

The benefits of running not only provide better health, but research also shows that running helps children achieve better grades and even manage stress. “As a company by and for runners, we want to promote the advantages to living a healthy and active life, and by supporting these organizations we are able to make an impact in children’s lives,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony.

“While childhood obesity is not going to disappear overnight, these grants allow us to help communities build local programs that will arm our children with the knowledge and tools they need to live healthier lives.”

The recipients of these grants range from start up programs looking to institute community running clubs, to well attended existing programs that require additional funds to continue to foster growth in their organization. The primary goal for all is to maximize the use of running to promote healthy lifestyles in children.

Operation Better Start, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

This nationally recognized nutrition, health and activity program from Berkshire Health is already in its ninth year. In conjunction with the Pittsfield YMCA, it will provide recess and after school run/walk programs to public elementary schools in the Pittsfield school district.  The grant will be used to help provide equipment and personnel, including a weekly presentation by a registered dietitian at eight participating schools.

Footsteps to Fitness, Spartanburg, South Carolina

This YMCA-based program has been steadily growing over the past 10 years.  The program is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in the Spartanburg County.  Each school has a running club that meets three or four times a week.  An incentive system is in place for both special-event runs and after-school sessions.  The 1,500 participating students are pre-tested and post-tested to document their progress.  The funds are needed to support program materials and incentives for the children.

Crim Youth Program, Flint, Michigan

This program delivers the educational tools necessary for schools to implement physical activity offerings for their students, including a “Feelin’ Good Mileage Club” that motivates students to run and walk more.  In addition to the support of 45 school programs, they coordinate local summer running clubs and targeted events, such as the Crim Kids Invitational and Crim Kids Classic.  The grant will be used to support much-needed personnel within the urban elementary-school system.

TOUR deCATUR—Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur, Georgia

This Foundation currently holds an annual 5-K race and one-mile fun run called the TOUR deCATUR.  Track clubs were created for grades K to three at the local schools so that kids could run together, learn how to stretch, and run safely.  The program culminates with the opportunity to participate in the TOUR deCATUR.  More than 300 children under age 12 participated this year.  The funds will help to expand the program to the fourth and fifth grades.

Perry Central, Run for Good, Leopold, Indiana

Perry Central is located at the center of a rural and somewhat isolated community.  Their goal is to provide activities for students and their families.  The have already successfully launched a cross-country program for students in grades seven to twelve under the direction of a local track coach.  The grant will help to expand the program, which will include after-school running, a summer running club, field trips to the Hoosier National Forest, and mini cross-country meets.

Johnson Country Park and Recreation District, Merriam, Kansas

The Children’s Service Department of Merriam has a school age care and enrichment program that is attended by 1,500 children.  Current plans are to create a year-round running club, featuring group runs and nutritional education.  Children will also be encouraged to participate in the Annual Kids Klassic Run, which is designed to raise money for the Jordan Lee Brooks Scholarship Fund, whose proceeds help make participation affordable to all children.

The Saucony Run For Good Grant program is just one part of the Saucony Run For Good Foundation.  The Foundation’s other initiatives include fun runs at local specialty retail events and the Saucony Run For Good Red Laces Program.

About the Saucony Run for Good^SM Foundation: The Saucony Run for Good Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Foundation acts to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth. For more information about Saucony’s Run for GoodSM Foundation, please visit www.sauconyrunforgood.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

Contact Information:

Sharon Barbano
Vice President, PR
Saucony, Inc.
617-824-6126
sharon dot barbano AT saucony dot com

Jeff Lawrence
Mullen PR
617-226-9945
jeff dot lawrence AT mullen dot com