Running Partners: Boston Marathon and Pro-Form® Fitness Announce Partnership to Create "Runner's Treadmill"

Published: 05/17/2012

The Boston Marathon Treadmill

(Boston, MA – April 9, 2012) – The Boston Athletic Association, host of the world's oldest annual marathon with stringent qualification requirements, announces its partnership with Pro-Form® the number one brand of treadmills and other fitness equipment, to introduce Pro-Form® the official Boston Marathon treadmill. The product will be unveiled at a media event on Thursday, April 12 and available for the public to see at the John Hancock Fitness Expo in Booth 262 on Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 15 at the Seaport World Trade Center. The treadmill will ship Fall 2012. For more information, including email sign up for availability notification, go to www.proform.com/bostonmarathon.

"Pro-Form® has developed the first treadmill which brings the realism of the road to treadmill training," said Thomas Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association. "We look forward to working with Pro-Form® to introduce this exciting new product to runners and especially Boston Marathoners."

Highlights of the product include:
  • Minimalist Running Treadmill:

    The buzz these days usually focuses on minimalist running shoes for a more natural running style. This first ever minimalist running treadmill introduces a design that provides a wide open running platform and eliminates the motor hood and arms that may feel confining and constricting to an experienced runner.



  • Official Training from Boston Marathon Staff:

    Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a major accomplishment for any runner and the qualifying standard will be more stringent for the 2013 race. Training programs on the new Pro-Form® treadmill are designed to help more runners qualify for the historic race. The B.A.A's coaching staff has contributed to the development of the training programs.

    "There are many different ways to train for the Boston Marathon, and we've been waiting for the right partner with treadmill expertise," Michael Pieroni said, head coach of the of the Boston Athletic Association Running Club. Pro-Form® worked with Boston Athletic Association® resulting in a new training protocol that offers a level of customization previously not available."



  • Simulate Race Conditions in Training:

    Run and see the historic course in HD video shown on the treadmill's 10-inch Android™ touchscreen integrated into the console. The treadmill will automatically incline and decline to match the elevation every mile of the race.

    Pro-Form® the official Boston Marathon treadmill is an internet-connected device with built-in Wi-Fi and a browser powered by Android™ with a 10-inch touchscreen integrated into the console.

Created as "smart" fitness equipment, the treadmill is compatible with iFit.com, a performance training website owned by Pro-Form®. At iFit.com, runners use the Google Maps™ tool to draw a real-life running route that automatically downloads to the treadmill. iFit® Technology, with its live internet connection, allows users to track their real-time progress on the console's Google Maps™ display with a dynamic "runner" marker that moves along each route. Runners experience "what the road does" as the treadmill automatically adjusts incline, and enjoy the view with Google Street View™.

The HD video will be shot during the 2012 Boston Marathon and is unique to the ProForm Boston Marathon treadmill. Runners can also draw other courses anywhere in the world on iFit.com. The treadmill matches the course terrain and the Android™ Console will display the runners' progress on Google Maps™, including Street View, Map, Satellite, Hybrid, Earth views. At the conclusion of each run, workout results are automatically uploaded to a personal profile page at iFit.com.


This product will be available in Fall 2012 at specialty retailers.

Additional information is available at www.proform.com/bostonmarathon and at the Boston Athletic Association website.

About The Boston Marathon

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York City Marathon. Nearly 50,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2012.