Running Specialty Group Enters Exclusive Agreement with PEAR Sports

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Running Specialty Group (RSG), an operating segment of The Finish Line, Inc. FINL, announced today a strategic agreement with PEAR Sports, a mobile fitness and training content platform, for the launch of its RSG training channel, available now at run.com. This innovative collaboration brings to the market the first-ever interactive training platform and tracking tool which will integrate with and further enhance RSG's industry-leading store based training programs nationwide while continuously evolving the running experience for its dedicated and passionate customer base.

"We strive to keep moving forward by reimagining the way our customers interact with the retail store experience, focusing on the intersection between technology and fitness and how this can directly impact each individual engaged in an active lifestyle," said Bill Kirkendall, Running Specialty Group president. "Supported by the technology developed by PEAR Sports, this strategy moves toward a dynamic and personalized space that will allow our customers to better track their goals to ensure they train smarter and achieve their desired results."

Through the agreement, the specialty retailer will have an RSG channel powered by PEAR Sports, hosted within its training app. The RSG channel will consist of downloadable training content and fitness programs that deliver interactive and personalized audio coaching in real-time, along with robust results tracking tools so users can meet individual fitness and performance goals. In support of this agreement, RSG's parent company, Finish Line, has made a strategic investment in PEAR Sports.

"Together with PEAR Sports, we'll offer a tremendous resource to the running specialty community that keeps us on the forefront of delivering premium products and services that support the active lifestyle of our customers," added Kirkendall.

When combined with PEAR's Mobile Training Kit, runners will gain access to personalized training, fitness level progress, heart rate performance, calorie consumption, route maps, pace performance, historical results and more – all through their personal account. In the following months RSG will have in-store displays showcasing the channel for customers to interact with the new technology in a demo environment.

"We're thrilled to offer PEAR to the RSG community through our specialty app," states Christian Schauf, vice president of sales and marketing for PEAR Sports. "Our platform allows RSG – who already provides the best products, services and programs to the running community – to expand their relationship to world-class coaches and cross fitness training through a digital platform for 24/7 engagement."

About Running Specialty Group

The Running Specialty Group (RSG) is an operating segment of The Finish Line, Inc. FINL. This includes 76 specialty running stores in 17 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker's Running Spot, Running Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, Richmond RoadRunner, Garry Gribble's Running Sports, Run Colorado, Raleigh Running Outfitters, Striders, Indiana Running Company and JackRabbit Sports banners. More information is available at www.run.com or www.boulderrunningcompany.com. Follow RSG on Twitter at twitter.com/Run_Dot_Com and "like" RSG on Facebook at facebook.com/Run.com.

About PEAR Sports

With a vision to make the latest in training science accessible, PEAR Sports introduces an intuitive technology that guides users through every step of their fitness journey. With over 500 unique workout programs, users can experience interactive audio workouts, personalized trainings and have access to some of the world's most talented athletes and fitness experts. By handling all the measurements and data for the user, PEAR keeps the user focused on the goal. The interactive software empowers users to train smarter for better, faster results. Visit: www.pearsports.com | @pearsports

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes statements that are or may be considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "future," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "may," "should," "will," "estimates," "outlook," "potential," "optimistic," "confidence," "continue," "evolve," "expand," "growth" or words and phrases of similar meaning. Statements that describe objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements.

All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, management assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. The principal risk factors that could cause actual performance and future actions to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the company's reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key vendor); the availability and timely receipt of products; the ability to timely fulfill and ship products to customers; fluctuations in oil prices causing changes in gasoline and energy prices, resulting in changes in consumer spending as well as increases in utility, freight and product costs; product demand and market acceptance risks; deterioration of macro-economic and business conditions; the inability to locate and obtain or retain acceptable lease terms for the company's stores; the effect of competitive products and pricing; loss of key employees; execution of strategic growth initiatives (including actual and potential mergers and acquisitions and other components of the company's capital allocation strategy); cybersecurity risks, including breach of customer data; and the other risks detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this report and Finish Line undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.