Pro Triathlete-Founded Skirt Sports Celebrates 10 Years

Founded by former pro triathlete and Ironman champion Nicole DeBoom, Boulder, Colo.-based Skirt Sports will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary this weekend.

The company—which pioneered the original running skirt, starting with an idea in 2004—is celebrating in a few ways, including a virtual “10 on 10 Anniversary Run,” in which people will run 10K or 10 miles on Sept. 13, 14 or 15 to “celebrate 10 years of thigh liberation,” DeBoom says. (You can register for the virtual run online at Skirtsports.com.)

Skirt Sports is also celebrating 10 years by partnering with a pioneer in women’s running, Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 bravely ran the all-male Boston Marathon, during which a race director tried to yank her off the course and rip off her #261 bib. Switzer persevered and finished the 26.2-mile race and became the first woman to run and finish the Boston Marathon, and then went on to champion the cause for women’s equality in running. Switzer went on to start an international women’s race series that was instrumental in bringing the women’s marathon to the Olympics, and also started the 261 Fearless Running Movement. To promote the movement, Skirt Sports collaborated with Switzer on a line of women’s running clothes that unites the history of women’s competitive running with the powerful message of the 261 Fearless movement.

“It is such an honor to work with this amazing running icon,” DeBoom said in a press release. “Kathrine is the original Skirt—she stood strong, pushing herself to be the best. … I would not be an Ironman winner if it was not for the foundation she laid for women.”

The initial 261 Fearless Collection is made up of four styles currently—a pullover and runner pant, which are modern-day technical renditions of the sweat suit Switzer wore during the 1967 Boston Marathon, and a capri and tee, which represent styles Switzer modified into her race apparel from the ballet world in her early running career. Each piece displays the 261 symbol to encourage women to continue to be fearless throughout their workout, race or daily life challenges.

“When I decided I wanted to create a line of running clothes to further my 261 Fearless message and connect more women, Nicole DeBoom and Skirt Sports was on the top of my list,” Switzer said in a press release. “Nicole gets it. She sees that her clothing line empowers women to get out there and run. A running skirt is fun, sassy and it is practical. It makes women feel comfortable and great about themselves. This confidence gives them courage. Nicole utilizes her company to support and encourage women. I am honored for her to join me in the 261 Fearless Movement.”

Future additions to the collection are slated for the spring and fall 2015 lines. This 261 Fearless Collection along with 261-branded Skirt Sports skirts and tees have debuted on the Skirt Sports retail website. For more information on the collaboration and the 261 Fearless collection, visit Skirtsports.com/261running.

RELATED: Dispatch: A Chat With SkirtSports Founder–and Ironman Champion–Nicole DeBoom