As e-commerce continues to steamroll over bricks and mortar locations the accessibility for a consumer to get the next great pair of shoes is increasing. Increasing of course, is a subjective term, and is subject to the speed of your computer, the reliability of your alarm clock, the speed of your internet (if you don’t have Google Fibre good luck), and if you spent $300 on a bot that circulates for free. For people that aren’t super into computers and “bots” check this link out from the guys at Complex Magazine as they define it all. Essentially, it’s a “script” that automatically adds a shoe to your cart in your size so you can try to get a shoe before it sells out. Up until February 21st Nike handled all their big releases with a Twitter link and sometimes some pairs at retail locations. The basic timeline was this: Now you have two choices: Retail or Online The benefit of course to online is you get to stay warm inside your bed and are barely inconvenienced.
So what this has led to, especially with stores only getting one or two pairs of a given size is people giving up on their local retailer and just trying to win the online game. Now put yourself in the shoes of someone that really wants a pair of Bred 1’s. Your options become buy from a reseller, lineup for over a day in front of a store, or buy a sketchy Google Chrome extension that presses size 10.5 for you. Most of us would likely try to get the extension, and as a result shoes are selling out in seconds. Nike has always had the idea to give pretty much everyone a fair chance. They want people to have the opportunity to spend their money on swooshes. There is a select group of people however that every sneakerhead follows called “influencers”. These people are the newest marketing tool and I am betting that Nike has made these access codes for them. My best guess on why Nike released the codes is because with the growth of “influencers” dominating social media.
They need to make sure the shepherds (influencers) corral the sheeps (hypebeasts) towards the latest release. The access codes are an easy way to connect Nike with influencers that aren’t quite at a level that warrant a visit from a Nike and some free shoes. They can find an Instagram account that is regularly featured with Nike products and is great at “building hype”. They then hook the owner of the account up with guaranteed access to sneakers that everyone wants. This account is now able to guarantee they get access to new releases, and Nike has to do very little to attract this influencer to become a loyalist or at very least an advocate if they weren’t already. The other potential reason why Nike has the access code system is that it is a new way to battle the bots. There are people saying this might be a large scale attempt to change the game. spoke to rep. Every1 might get a code to manually put in prior to adding to cart. Attacks atc services and slows down atc bots @Deftronic— SneakApeeK (@k1avalanche) February 22, 2014
If that is the case, and the game is changing to where I might actually get a pair online then I’m all for it. It would be great to know that everyone has a chance. Essentially this is what Nike has said, and it isn’t a lot. That said, it has let me speculate as to what is going on, and it gives you a chance to read about it. You be the judge on what they’re using the codes for. What I would love to see, and what I think Nike should do is simple. Take the model that most stores use for an uber popular release and put it online. The model I’m talking about of course is the “raffle model”. My idea is pretty simple. People can sign up to be a part of the raffle 24 hours before the launch of the shoe. By signing up they commit to pay. Nike has their credit card and shipping info on file so unless they pull out they’re in the running. At 8 EST, Nike uses an algorithm to pick the lucky winners, and they get shipped their shoes. No ridiculous wake-ups necessary, no waiting in the cold, no complaining about your WiFI, no sneaker violence, and more opportunity for everyone.
Will this take some of the fun out of it? Maybe, but at least it makes it fair for everyone. I guess until that day though, the struggle will stay real. For those without access anyways.Don't forget to come back to Atlanta Track Club for fresh articles!Don't forget to come back to for fresh articles! This program is designed for novice and intermediate runners and walkers. If this is your first AJC Peachtree Road Race or you are aiming for a top 1,000 finisher mug, there will be all levels of participants and the training is designed to be adapted to meet your needs. Training in a group is a great way to stay motivated and get encouragement along the way. The weekly training sessions take place on Saturday morning at one of seven Big Peach Running Co. locations throughout the metro Atlanta area with additional mid-week workouts. Training programs are geared toward adult participants 18 and older. However, participants as young as 16 may participate as long as they are accompanied by a parent and the parent has signed a release acknowledging the risks involved.
Both the parent and child would need to be registered for the program. Note: This training program does not include guaranteed entry into the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Registration for In-Training for Peachtree will be available within the AJC Peachtree Road Race registration. Registration for training will stay open after the lottery until the end of April. You can decide to register for training even after race registration closes. Registration Opens: during AJC Peachtree Road Race registration. Member registration - March 1- 14 Lottery registration – March 15-22 Registration for training Closes - April 30 Kickoff Events - Each location will host a kickoff event. At the kickoff, you will be able to meet the coaches, learn about the program, ask questions, pick up your In-Training for Peachtree shirt and running log, upgrade to the VIP package and get fitted for shoes. This is a great time to join the program and register on site. Saturday 4/8 – 10:00 a.m. - Big Peach Running Co.
Saturday 4/8 – 1:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Sunday 4/9 – 2:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Monday 4/10 - 6:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Tuesday 4/11 - 6:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Wednesday 4/12 - 6:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Thursday 4/13 - 6:00 p.m. – Big Peach Running Co. Saturday 4/15 – Join us at Singleton 5K & 10K Saturday Group Training Schedule: 7:30 a.m. 12 Saturdays, April 22 - July 1 Midweek Workout Schedule: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, April 19 – June 28 Events incorporated into training: (register independently for the events listed below, a code will be provided when race registration opens) 4/15 – Singleton 5K & 10K – free with training 5/2 – 6/14 - All Comers Track & Field Meets Free entry into Braves Country 5K will not be included this year Big Peach Running Co. Alpharetta- 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004 Big Peach Running Co Brookhaven – 705 Town Blvd, Ste. 340, Atlanta, GA 30319
Big Peach Running Co. Decatur - 114 E Trinity Pl, Decatur, GA 30030 Big Peach Running Co. Kennesaw- 1625 Ridenour Boulevard, Kennesaw, GA 30152 Big Peach Running Co Marietta – 1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30068 Big Peach Running Co Midtown- 800 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 (Free legal street parking and paid parking are available; participants are responsible for any parking fees.) Big Peach Running Co. Suwanee- 320 Town Center Ave., Suwanee, GA 30024 Piedmont Park, Active Oval $65.00 - Training only $140.00 – Mizuno Upgrade Package Includes Training and Mizuno running shoes valued at $120.00 or less. Shoes above this price point the participant would be responsible for the price difference. Shoes must be redeemed during the month of April. The Mizuno Upgrade discount does not apply to the Peachtree Rider shoe. Pre-orders and sales for the Peachtree Rider can only be made at participating stores. $75 Upgrade: Wish you had purchased the Mizuno Package?