Veloci Running celebrates a successful launch party
Cross country runner Tyler Strothman hosted an official launch party for his shoe brand Veloci Running Thursday, Jan. 16. The party at Axelrad Beer Garden in Midtown was both a product debut and a celebration of the journey that brought the brand to life. With friends, runners and customers gathering from across Rice and the greater Houston running scene, Strothman said the night highlighted not just the success of the brand, but the people who made it possible.
“Seeing so many people who have been supportive throughout this journey all in one place meant a lot,” Strothman, a Duncan College senior, said. “It wasn’t just Rice, and it wasn’t just the Houston running community — it was a unique blend of both, which made it even more special.”
The launch party was a chance for Strothman to reflect on the hard work that had gone into making Veloci Running a reality and to pass out the first batch of pre-ordered shoes, he said.
“It was just awesome to finally get the shoes on people’s feet,” Strothman said. “That’s one of the most rewarding aspects of doing this — seeing people put them on, feel comfortable and hear their positive responses.”
The numbers reflect this growing enthusiasm. Veloci Running has already sold about 800 pairs, with 29 stores set to carry the shoes. So far, around eight stores have received inventory, with more shipments planned in the coming weeks.
“Right now, we’re working on getting the shoes onto more shelves and onboarding sales reps to grow our reach,” Strothman said. “I’m probably going to take a road trip soon to help expand our store count.”
The atmosphere at Axelrad was energetic and celebratory, with conversations flowing between familiar faces and new customers.
“I’ve watched Tyler work incredibly hard to bring these shoes to life,” said Lovett College junior Grey Beaubien, an avid runner and one of Strothman’s roommates. “Knowing all the stress, late nights and determination it took to make the shoes a reality makes each run in them a little sweeter.”
Beaubien preordered the shoes in September, and has worn them on four runs since receiving them at the launch party. Beaubien described the shoes as having “a nice balance of comfort and responsiveness, and great lateral flexibility” and is looking forward to seeing if the shoes help him to avoid soreness as he increases his mileage.
“It’s been a long journey, and seeing people excited about the shoes made it all feel real,” Strothman said. “[The launch party] was a moment to take a step back and appreciate everything that’s happened.”
The excitement from the launch party continued at the Houston Marathon Expo on Jan. 17 and 18, where Veloci Running introduced its products to a wider audience. Many attendees purchased shoes on the spot, and some even wore them for the half and full marathons just days later.
“It was incredible seeing people tag us on social media, saying they had just run a half or a full marathon in our shoes,” Strothman said. “That’s really cool — it shows the trust they have in the product.”
Even with the success of the launch party and early sales, Strothman said he knows there’s still a lot of work ahead.
“It’s just really about keeping that nose-to-the-grindstone mindset, being willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “Whether that’s long road trips to visit stores or staying up late to get shoes out, it’s about making sure we reach more people.”
Despite the fast pace, Strothman said he remains grateful for the journey so far.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “It was hard to even find time to reflect, but I just feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This has been an incredible experience, and I love that I get to wake up every day and do work that helps people — even if it’s just in a small way, like making sure they’re comfortable on their runs.”
As Veloci Running gains momentum, its foundation remains rooted in the running community that inspired it.
“Running gave me a sense of belonging,” Strothman said. “With Veloci, I want to give that feeling back to others.”
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