Museums And Archives

The Runner’s Archive: The Story of Reebok and Running Clubs in Bolton

The aim of this heritage project is to highlight the achievements of two sports shoe manufacturers – Foster & Sons (later Reebok), formed in Bolton in 1900, and Norman Walsh Footwear (established 1961). It will also explore the history of local running clubs and athletes, many of whom competed in shoes made by Reebok or Norman Walsh. For example, Ron Hill, who wore a pair of Reebok shoes during his record-breaking Boston marathon win in 1970. The heritage project will record interviews with key figures in the sports shoe companies (e.g. Reebok co-founder Joe Foster) and past and current members of the running clubs. These personal testimonies will be presented alongside iconic sports shoes (based on a major loan from Reebok) in an exhibition at Bolton Museum in 2025. The exhibition and accompanying events programme will raise awareness about an aspect of Bolton’s heritage that deserves to be better known.