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RBN has rekindled its partnership with Sri Lanka’s elite running community, Colombo City Running (CCR), said RBN Performance Business Head Dhananjaya Weerakoon at a press briefing.
CCR is a community-based recreational running group that aims to promote and improve running in Colombo. CCR was founded in May 2015 by a single athlete, Omar Alif, who sought a community with which to share his passion for running. Alif’s simple vision has since grown into one shared by an ever-expanding community of athletes based in Colombo. In a little over two years, CCR has evolved into a team that goes beyond recreational running with most members preparing to participate in competitive marathons and other fitness competitions both in Sri Lanka as well as abroad.
With the vision of promoting and improving running in Colombo, CCR is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation with voluntary participation. There is no monetary commitment from members and participation in CCR is open to novices as well as seasoned athletes.
RBN Performance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturers, first partnered CCR in 2016. This year, RBN Performance will once again support CCR as the community’s apparel partner. CCR runners will sport RBN Performance apparel as they represent the community in local and international competitions, as well as in regular CCR runs. “We are delighted to rekindle our association with CCR and support them in their efforts to promote fitness and healthy living, both of which are synonymous with the values of RBN Performance,” said Weerakoon. RBN is Sri Lanka’s first performance wear brand for men and women, built with the Sri Lankan athlete in mind. Sri Lanka is currently undergoing a fitness revolution and RBN has been at the forefront in purpose designing and engineering a range of performance garments that suit local climate and user conditions, combining both style and performance for athletes at all levels from beginners to professionals.
RBN’s product assortment is powered by its platform ‘Sportech’, the brand’s own moisture management and anti-bacterial platform. RBN has further provided specific performance factors, such as compression for athletes with demanding performance needs. RBN’s products are specifically engineered for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans, while maintaining world class product development and manufacturing standards.
“At present CCR’s membership comprises more than 340 individuals, of which the vast majority are male and female locals and expatriates living in Colombo. Members all share a passion for running, fitness, healthy living and the outdoors, and are professionals working in a range of fields and span a range of ages. Due to the growing profile of CCR, particularly through social media, CCR has also hosted a number of tourists who have a passion for running and exploring new cities,” said a CCR spokesperson.
Every CCR run comprises a routine of pre-run warm-up and dynamic stretches, and post run cool-down, followed by static stretches. Invariably, CCR’s weekend runs are followed by a post-run detox and hydration session combined with some fellowship. “Hydration, as much as proper clothing and equipment, is part of a runner’s gear,” said the CCR spokesperson.
CCR also provides its members run training in the form of midweek speed runs, support and advice and a platform for participation in major events such as the LSR Colombo Marathon. Members also benefit by following a training schedule designed by the more experienced runners in the group that supports individuals to achieve their personal objectives at their chosen event.
Some of the key highlights of RBN’s sporting season for 2016/17 were the RBN Rugby partnerships with St. Peters College, St. Joseph’s College and Zahira College Colombo. Additionally, the brand was the platinum sponsor for ‘Run for their Lives’, the annual cancer fundraising project hosted by the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown.
RBN actively integrates with the sporting community in Sri Lanka to support and promote a variety of sports such as cricket, rugby, tennis, cycling, basketball, volleyball, football, bodybuilding, swimming, athletics, water polo and running.
“We are proud to partner CCR and to foster and promote sports in Sri Lanka together,” said Weerakoon. RBN clothing is exclusively available at its flagship store located at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA), with online purchasing due to be enabled soon.