Trail Icon Tara Dower Renews Altra Partnership to Stay Out There

December 10, 2024

DENVER (Dec 10, 2024) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/- Altra and Altra Elite Athlete Tara Dower commit to a multi-year partnership, strengthening a collaboration not only rooted in athletic performance, but also the mission of inspiring young girls and women in the sport.

Altra originally welcomed Dower, an American ultrarunner and thru-hiker, to the athlete development team in 2023. She quickly advanced to an elite athlete sponsorship after winning Run Rabbit Run 100, joining the Altra Elite Athlete Team in January 2024. She is most recently renowned for setting the overall Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail (Sept. 2024), completing the 2,197-mile journey in 40 days, 18 hours and 6 minutes.

“I am truly excited, and looking forward to growing a strong and impactful partnership with Altra,” said Dower. “The sport of trail running is growing stronger by the day, and I feel fortunate to work with a brand that is truly allowing women to lead the way.”.

Altra has most recently supported Dower’s fundraising efforts for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that empowers young girls through running. During her record-breaking Appalachian Trail journey, Dower raised over $100,000 for the organization, including a $45,000 donation match from Altra. The brand will continue to support donations to nonprofit organizations that are impactful to Dower’s mission.

“Tara embodies Altra’s “stay out there” philosophy,” said Jennifer McLaren, President of Altra. “Her challenger approach, genuine connection to nature, and authenticity resonates with the Altra ethos. We are incredibly excited to help provide a platform for her passion not only for running, but for encouraging women of all skill levels to get out and after it.”

The Altra Elite Athlete Team represents the brand and competes in national and international races, often achieving top placements and setting personal or course records. This community of athletes supports each other through physical and virtual community activations. They’re also a very important part of the product development cycle, providing valuable feedback on Altra’s footwear research and design.

For more about Altra and its Elite Athlete Team, visit altrarunning.com.

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ABOUT ALTRA

Altra was founded in the backroom of a small specialty running store in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Since the beginning, the goal has been to create innovative and purposeful running shoes that help people run more naturally. Altra’s unique platform includes a FootShape toebox that allows the toes to relax and spread out which enhances stability and encourages natural running form. Altra Running shoes have a Zero to Low Drop, ensuring your body stays in a more natural running position. Altra’s purpose is to unleash human potential by inspiring the world to move naturally. Be a part of our journey and follow along on Instagram @AltraRunning. #altrarunning #stayoutthere