Road Runner Sports appoints Elizabeth Krause as Chief Marketing Officer

Road Runner Sports has appointed Elizabeth Krause as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing an experienced consumer marketing leader into its executive team.

Elizabeth describes herself as a digital-first commercial CMO with more than 17 years of experience scaling direct-to-consumer and omnichannel consumer brands. Her background includes marketing leadership at MeUndies and experience across consumer retail and lifestyle brands.

In her new role, she will help shape marketing across Road Runner Sports, a specialist retailer serving runners and walkers through its physical stores and e-commerce business.

Putting the runner at the centre of marketing

In announcing her appointment, Elizabeth highlighted what stood out to her about the Road Runner Sports team: its genuine commitment to helping runners find the right shoes, celebrate milestones and remain connected to the sport over time.

That focus reflects a customer journey extending beyond an individual purchase. For a specialist running retailer, the relationship can begin with a first pair of running shoes and continue through training, races, changing footwear needs and new personal goals.

Elizabeth's emphasis on the team's connection with runners points to the role customer understanding and experience will play in her approach to marketing.

Bringing consumer brand experience to the role

Elizabeth's career spans direct-to-consumer businesses and omnichannel consumer brands, with experience in marketing leadership at MeUndies and work connected to the consumer retail sector.

This background is relevant to Road Runner Sports, where brand building must work alongside customer acquisition, e-commerce performance, retail engagement and loyalty.

For a specialist retailer competing across a broad running and footwear market, marketing needs to communicate product value while helping customers navigate choices and build confidence in their purchases.

Elizabeth's experience across digital and commercial marketing provides a foundation for connecting those priorities.

Connecting brand, e-commerce and customer loyalty

Road Runner Sports operates across online shopping and a nationwide store network. Its customer experience includes helping runners find appropriate footwear, explore running gear and access personalised guidance.

Marketing in this environment involves coordinating brand storytelling with performance marketing, customer retention and the digital shopping journey. It also requires consistency between online interactions and the in-store experience.

Elizabeth's appointment comes as the retailer continues to serve runners across different stages of their journeys, from people taking their first steps into running to experienced athletes preparing for their next event.

Her leadership will bring a consumer-focused marketing perspective to that wider business.

Building lasting relationships with runners

Road Runner Sports has built its identity around helping people find the right fit and supporting active lifestyles. Its approach places service and community alongside its range of footwear, apparel and running products.

Elizabeth's comments about celebrating a runner's first finish line and keeping customers coming back for years highlight the importance of relationships that extend beyond transactions.

For the business, this creates a connection between marketing and the experiences that shape customer trust, repeat purchases and long-term loyalty.

A new chapter at Road Runner Sports

Elizabeth thanked the company's leadership team for the opportunity and expressed enthusiasm about working with its team and the brands represented in the running market.

Her appointment brings digital-first marketing experience to a retailer whose business combines specialist product knowledge, e-commerce and physical retail.

As she takes on the CMO role, the focus will be on connecting brand strategy and customer engagement with the needs of the running community Road Runner Sports serves.

About Road Runner Sports

Road Runner Sports is a US-based specialty retailer focused on running and walking footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1983 in San Diego, California, the company operates an e-commerce business and stores across the United States. Its offering includes footwear fitting guidance and products for runners and active lifestyles.

Source: Elizabeth Krause's LinkedIn profile