• by Erik Sass , June 4, 2009

Understanding that most of their readers are gluttons for punishment, Runner's World Editor in Chief David Willey and vice president and publishing director Chris Lambiase are preparing a national experiential event, or rather series of events, called the Marathon Challenge. The challenge promises to engage readers with the editorial content of the magazine and Web site and provide a high-engagement marketing platform for various sponsors.

The Marathon Challenge, which will debut in the July issue of Runner's World (on sale Tuesday, June 9), invites literate masochists across America to participate in one of several 16-week training programs created by the magazine's Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso, which will be customized to individual goals for marathon enthusiasts.

The first, Premium Plan One, is intended to be accessible to all marathon runners, regardless of which specific marathon they are going to run in the fall. The Premium Plan offers subscribers online training logs, weekly training e-mails targeting specific goals, and access to the Runner's World's Loop, an online community platform.

The second plan, Premium Plan Two, costs $250 and targets subscribers who plan on running the Richmond Marathon on Nov. 14, with the editors of Runner's World. The price covers the cost of admission to the marathon and access to the Runner's World clubhouse, which offers a number of attractions, including a post-race massage.

As they prepare for the Richmond Marathon, the editors will share tips on nutrition, injury prevention, health issues and other essential training topics. Readers will have access to videos, podcasts, and articles to help achieve their personalized training goals.

Nickelodeon Magazine Ends Its 19-Year Run

After 19 years, Viacom is putting Nickelodeon Magazine to bed, where it will join Nick Jr. Family Magazine, a younger sibling that suffered the same fate in early 2007. The magazine closing affects roughly 30 staffers. Nickelodeon Magazine suffered from the rise of the Internet, which drew away Web-savvy young readers, and the economic downturn, which sapped already weakening ad categories. In November 2007, Disney closed Disney Adventures, and in January of this year Hearst closed Teen.

Bonnier Confirms Acquisition of 5 Titles from Hachette

Several weeks after insiders revealed that Bonnier Corp. intended to buy five enthusiast titles from Hachette Filipacchi Media, the companies have confirmed the deal. Bonnier is picking up Popular Photography, Flying, Boating, Sound & Vision and American Photo. Hachette had been shopping the titles around for several months, but many potential buyers were probably prevented from making bids by the frozen credit markets.

Terms of the sale to Bonnier were not disclosed, but they were likely favorable to the buyer: Most of the titles are in distress, with ad pages experiencing steep declines. Hachette was apparently very eager to sell the properties. Bonnier has made a series of acquisitions over the last year, including Working Mother, Scuba Diving, and Sport Diver.

Colbert Guest-Edits Newsweek

Newsweek took the unusual step of inviting a comedian, Stephen Colbert, to serve as guest editor of the magazine's June 8 edition, according to the New York Observer -- making him the first invited editor in the magazine's history. The stunt acknowledges the growing role of comedy news shows (especially the "Colbert Report") in delivering real information to younger viewers. It also promises to raise the newsmagazine's visibility and perhaps broaden its reach. However, it remains to be seen how well Colbert's heavily ironic tack jibes with the magazine's otherwise sober, straightforward sensibility.

The Hollywood Reporter Lays Off 10

This was another rough week for Nielsen publications, with the closing of Radio & Records on Wednesday followed by news of 10 layoffs at The Hollywood Reporter-- marking the fourth round of cutbacks at that title. The layoffs included associate publisher Rose Einstein, art director Deeann Hoff, editor Dan Carlson, editor Chad Williams, graphic designer Angie Carmen, and Ron Phillips and Tracy Baer, both from the Web site staff.