Tony Banovich pictured top middle in baseball cap
A FOREWORD BY AFTERSHOKZ CMO KIM FASSETTA
I met Tony just a few years ago, through our mutual friends at BibRave. Though we only crossed paths a handful of times, each one left me with a smile. He felt like an old friend from our first conversation, with the kind of positive energy and kindness that just makes the world a better place. So, when I began my hunt for the perfect place to pace a friend that was training for his first half marathon, Missoula topped my list. Because if Tony represented the kind of folks we’d find in Montana, we couldn’t go wrong. Though the course was gorgeous and the run-cation memorable, the thing that stands out the most when I think back to that June 2019 trip, was how Tony tracked me down at the pre-race expo to ensure my family and our friends arrived safely, and to give us a warm welcome to Big Sky Country. I wondered how he knew where and when to find me in that sea of people picking up their bibs that day. Now I wish I’d asked!
The ShokzSquad running community can arguably be considered our day-one supporters. AfterShokz and running go hand in hand, which means that runners are hugely valued members of our ShokzSquad community, and we’re always looking for ways to celebrate and support people throughout their running journeys, as well as pay it forward to those who have been with us from the start.
Earlier this fall, we lost one of the brightest stars in our running family, marathoner and Run Wild Missoula Executive Director Tony Banovich. In the wake of his passing, Run Wild Missoula invites runners far and wide to remember Tony by doing what he loved to do most: run. AfterShokz is honoured to be the presenting sponsor of the virtual Tony Banovich Memorial Run. Read on to learn more about Montana-based running organization Run Wild Missoula and find out how you can pay homage to Tony by participating in the ongoing memorial run.
ABOUT THE TONY BANOVICH MEMORIAL RACE
The Tony Banovich Roads, Tracks, and Trails Memorial Run presented by Wild Run Missoula is a virtual run that challenges participants to run or walk 4.35 miles, which was the average daily distance of Tony’s 1,731-day run streak. The virtual run is currently happening now and will continue through December 31st.
All registration proceeds will go directly to Run Wild Missoula, to ensure Tony’s commitment to its running community lives on. As a special thank you for participating and helping to preserve Tony’s legacy, registrants will receive a commemorative pin embossed with the event logo. Registration for the Tony Banovich Memorial Run is open now through December 11th.
Need a boost of motivation while you run the 4.35 miles? Sync up your AfterShokz wireless open-ear headphones and tune into this Spotify running playlist, featuring Tony’s favourite songs curated by his family to groove to while you keep your stride!
HOW TO REGISTER
Visit the virtual run event page on the Run Wild Missoula website. Then, click the “register” button and follow the sign-up instructions from there! The registration fee is $35 USD and runners of all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate.
As an added treat, memorial run registrants will receive an exclusive discount code* for 15% off any purchase of AfterShokz open-ear wireless headphones.
To learn more about Run Wild Missoula and to find out different ways to support the organization, visit the official website.
*Discount code cannot be combined with other promotions or sales.
