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NEW YORK, September 13, 2023 – The top high school cross country runners from across the U.S. will compete in four Foot Locker Sports Cross Country Championship (FLXC) Regional competitions in hopes of becoming a finalist in the nation’s preeminent cross country championship. Foot Locker returns as the master brand of the event, after the company’s wholly owned brands, Champs Sports and Eastbay, passed back the torch earlier this year. This year, Foot Locker is proud to announce HOKA, California-based performance footwear and apparel brand as the event’s presenting sponsor. HOKA will assume the mantle of presenting race sponsor through a multi-year partnership.

Entering their 44th year, The Foot Locker Cross Country Championship is the longest-running cross country races in the nation. Comprised of four regional 5K races, the Northeast, South and Midwest regional races will take place on Saturday, Nov. 25, with the West Regional race scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2. More than 10,000 of the nation’s leading high school runners are expected to compete in these regional meets.

The partnership between Foot Locker and HOKA is an excellent match, with current HOKA athletes Futsum Zeinasellassie, Ashley Brasovan and Luis Grijalva having been Foot Locker Cross Country National Finalists. With this thrilling synergy between the two companies, the races will be more exciting and stronger than ever. Adding to the power of this new partnership is this year’s addition of RunnerSpace, which will serve as the event’s registration and streaming partner. For 2023, registration will open on September 13, nearly one month earlier than in the past to meet the new expected demand of runners.

“Foot Locker is proud to be back presenting the country’s most prestigious High School Championship in any sport,” said Holly Tedesco, VP of Marketing for Foot Locker. “Foot Locker continues to support youth and community empowerment and together with HOKA, our new partner for the races this year, we will carry on the storied tradition that this competition has built, inspiring hundreds of thousands of student athletes to run in our races for the past 43 years. HOKA is bringing excitement to Foot Locker stores and consumers across the nation within the sneaker and running communities in the years to come.”

“HOKA is thrilled to partner with Foot Locker to support this historical meet and the next generation of great U.S. distance runners. The Cross Country Championship competition has always celebrated the tenacity and passion of high school athletes, and we are excited to help recognize their achievements,” said Steve Doolan, Vice President and General Manager of HOKA U.S. “Foot Locker has already proven themselves to be an invaluable ally as we work to grow our business with them, and we are elated that this partnership allows us to work together in a meaningful, expanded capacity.”

The top ten finishers from each regional championship race will qualify for the Foot Locker XC National Finals (Dec. 9 in San Diego) and will join the likes of past Olympians Meb Keflezighi, Galen Rupp, Deena Kastor, Alan Webb, Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall along with Tokyo Olympians Cory McGee, Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Emily Sisson, Matt Centrowitz, Cole Hocker, Grant Fisher and Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist, Molly Seidel.

Runners can register online now with a discounted early bird registration fee at footlockerxc.com and each entrant will receive a complimentary race-t-shirt.

For more information on the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, please visit footlockerxc.com.

About Foot Locker

Foot Locker, Inc. is a leading footwear and apparel retailer that unlocks the “inner sneakerhead” in all of us. With approximately 2,600 retail stores in 26 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and a franchised store presence in the Middle East and Asia, Foot Locker, Inc. has a strong history of sneaker authority that sparks discovery and ignites the power of sneaker culture through its portfolio of brands, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos.

About HOKA®

HOKA® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly

About Deckers Brands

Deckers Brands is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. The Company's portfolio of brands includes UGG®, KOOLABURRA®, HOKA®, Teva®, and Sanuk®. Deckers Brands products are sold in more than 50 countries and territories through select department and specialty stores, Company-owned and operated retail stores, and select online stores, including Company-owned websites. Deckers Brands has over 50-years of history building niche footwear brands into lifestyle market leaders attracting millions of loyal consumers globally. For more information, please visit deckers.com. 