PHOTOS: John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
The Adidas official 2013 Boston marathon jacket is on sale at the expo. (Photos by Margaret Burdge)
Today marked the first day of the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center. Bustling with the best options available on the fitness market, runners will be flooding into the convention center for the next few days, picking up their bibs and important information for the race. The expo is free and open to the public as well, so you can enjoy it even if you will be watching the marathon comfortably from the sidelines. With more than 180 running companies showing at the event, getting through this expo is definitely a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time and check out what the latest in fitness has to offer. Here are a few sneak peeks to get you into the Boston Marathon mood:
Not running on Monday? Get your feel of the marathon course with a quick jog on a Pro-Form treadmill that takes you through the marathon race, just one of the many interactive booths at the expo.
At the Boost bar in the Adidas booth (bigger than most of their stores), you can check out the brand-new Adios Boost, on sale for the first time worldwide at the expo today. An update of the Adios, this new shoe is special due to its midsole material, a cushion technology with springing capsules that bounce back when you run. Unlike the more compressed soles that are typical for running shoes, the Boost was designed to move with you.
Also released today, the Adistar Boost (shown above) has a new level of cushion stability and will be worn by the Adidas Elite Team on Monday.
Among the healthy products at the expo are Chia seeds that you can blend into smoothies or mix into foods for the richest plant-based source of Omega 3s. They’re perfect for energy before running or rehydration after, and some runners even use Chia seeds ground into their water bottles during the race for a lighter pick-me-up.
You get a sneak peak of some of the runners at the expo as well, with Rick (left) and Dick Hoyt, the father-son team that will be honored at this year’s marathon.
Go belt-less for this “Bahston” Marathon with RooSport’s fitness pouch. With pockets ideally designed for all your running gear and a hole for your headphones, these magnetic pouches clip to your waistline for a lighter run.
Runners, friends, and family write special remarks on the wall.
If you just can’t make the trip to the gym without looking fashionable, the expo has everything you would need as well.
Don’t be scared if you see a giant fuzzy ginseng plant running around. Repping G-Shot, a natural herbs energy drink, this big guy calls people over to look at the shots of pure ginseng designed in multiple formulas specifically for heart health, lactic acid breakdown, and more.
Ditch the power bar and grab a Shot Block. These jelly squares are essentially the same makeup as gels, but work for runners with more sensitive tummies. A healthier version to boot, these blocks have a third of the calories in the 100-calorie gel packs.
And don’t forget to look up, as the Brooks booth has stationary runners sprinting above the expo.
