Long-distance runner Marielle Hall, who competed in the 2016 Olympic Games, has joined Heartbreak Hill Running Co. as its manager of strategic and creative initiatives.
In this newly-created role, the run specialty retailer stated Hall will support and drive both its apparel line and e-commerce business.
Though known for her athletic prowess, Hall has been focused on the world of fashion as of late. For instance, she attended Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC Detroit) in 2024, the only historically Black college or university (HBCU) that is focused on design. Specifically, she participated in W.IN @ PLC, a product creation pathway for women supported by New Balance. What’s more, Hall also launched Unexpected Curves in last year, a podcast aimed at telling stories around women’s sports.
“I’m passionate about expanding narratives, particularly through the lens of culture, identity and representation, and I’m eager to bring my unique blend of work ethic, storytelling expertis and cultural awareness to the creative and business worlds,” Hall said in a statement. “Having spent the last decade chasing individual goals in professional sports, I’m now ready to apply the skills I’ve honed — precision, discipline and collaboration — within a team environment that values innovation and craftsmanship.”
Hall is a decorated athlete, sporting a resume that includes earning All-American honors three times at the University of Texas, where she was also a seven-time Big-12 champion. What’s more, Hall won the gold in the 10,000 meters at the 2018 NACAC Championships in Toronto, among several other accolades.
“I met Marielle in Chicago when she appeared at our just-opened Lincoln Park shop in 2019 for Chicago Marathon activations. We went on to co-found a podcast together in 2021. I’ve always appreciated her curiosity, love of creativity and commitment to excellence,” Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Co., said in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to welcome Marielle to our leadership team. She will have an immediate impact on our business and the community we serve.”
Hall is joining Heartbreak Hill Running Co. as the retailer is set to expand its brick-and-mortar footprint into a new city. Though sparse on details, co-founder Dan Fitzgerald confirmed with FN that the new store will open in Q1 or Q2.
After launching in Boston in 2009, Heartbreak Hill Running Co. opened two more doors in Massachusetts: Newton and Cambridge. The retailer expanded into Chicago in June 2019, its first store outside of Massachusetts.
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
