MasterCard teamed up with RunningShoes.com to implement a beta test of the online portion of the PayPass Acceptance Network, bringing a consistent way to help merchants accept electronic payments online using a computer, tablet or smartphone.  PayPass Online also provides consumers with a simple check-out process by eliminating the need to enter detailed shipping and card information with every purchase.

The running shoes superstore worked directly with the global payments and technology company to integrate and test the solution on its ecommerce site.

“With PayPass Online, all of our transactions are able to flow naturally,” said Andrew Hoefener, COO of RunningShoes.com. “Other shopping cart solutions require additional training of our staff on how to process those orders. PayPass removes the middleman and, in turn, creates a simple checkout solution for merchants.”

The development team at RunningShoes.com spent weeks testing a beta version of the virtual wallet. The team was able to add the new solution without difficulty to its current checkout lineup, which includes Google Checkout and PayPal.

“Integrating PayPass Online into an ecommerce platform is really straightforward,” said Jacob Grass, Lead Developer at RunningShoes.com. “Communicating with PayPass is done via the well-known and well-established OAuth protocol. There are numerous open-source libraries available in many different languages that can be leveraged for the integration. MasterCard also provides enough documentation and examples that any developer should be able to plug this in without a problem.”

Both Hoefener and Grass see several benefits to incorporating PayPass Online onto an ecommerce platform.

“There is still a significant segment of the population that either does not shop online or only shops with a small subset of sites due to fears about security,” Grass said. “Having an integrated system backed by a well-respected company like MasterCard can only serve to increase our potential customer base, which is a major benefit.”

The option to make a purchase with PayPass Online is now available in closed beta at RunningShoes.com during the checkout process. By simply logging in with their PayPass credentials, any customer with a PayPass account can purchase the latest Mizuno running shoes along with any other major brand of running shoes and gear offered at the ecommerce destination.

Both MasterCard and RunningShoes.com have offices in the St. Louis area.

About RunningShoes.com

Founded in 1996, RunningShoes.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. The online running shoes superstore provides a wide selection of specialty footwear for athletes from top brands like Asics, Brooks and New Balance. From barefoot running to trail running, RunningShoes.com tracks the latest trends in footwear and delivers them right to your doorstep.

In partnership with Suunto, the tactical gear retailer is hosting a contest to win the industry’s hottest watch, the Ambit. Recently launched, the wristwatch is in such high demand that it has sold out on many websites. Much more than a timepiece, it performs a number of functions, including GPS navigation, altimeter, track logging, barometric sensor, 3D compass and an advanced heart rate monitoring system. The Suunto Ambit was created to assist ambitious athletes to take their training to the next level.

So how does one win this glorious piece of gear? It’s easy to enter. Readers are asked share their best training advice in the comments section of the Tactical Gear News contest post. Tips should be easy to understand, accurate and specific. If contestants find a particular video or expert helpful, they are encouraged to cite the source.

Tips can include pretty much anything. Contestants can submit their favorite stretches, warm-up routines, pre-workout snacks, training equipment or locations, recovery foods or beverages—the possibilities are endless! Not only will entrants have the chance to win this stellar new watch, but they will learn new ways to intensify their workout regimens.

The staff of TacticalGear.com will select the winning entry. The contest will end May 31, 2012. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 1, 2012. It is only open to U.S. residents.

About TacticalGear.com

Launched in 2004, TacticalGear.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based in Chesterfield, Missouri. The online superstore was designed from the ground up to serve members of the tactical community and offers a wide selection of apparel, footwear and gear.

The Excursion collection is made for long days on the job, but with boots this comfortable there’s no need to throw them in the back of your closet when the weekend rolls around. This boot is named the Excursion for a reason—it’s built to take you where you need to go and designed to help you handle any venture.

Constructed with waterproof full-grain leather and coated with ion-mask, these Magnum work boots protect against the elements while allowing air to circulate. Long-lasting comfort comes in the form of a compression-molded EVA midsole and an OrthoLite insole, for the ability to withstand hours on your feet. These boots are available in several cuts and colors.

For a chance to win a pair of Excursion boots, entrants have been asked to tell WorkBoots.com how they’ll wear their boots beyond work. Will they go hiking? Hunting? Shooting at the range? Tackling those DIY projects?There’s no limit to the versatility of these boots! Entrants may leave their answer at Work Boots News.

The final day to enter is May 31, 2012, and a winner will be selected June 1, 2012. This contest is open to U.S. residents only.

About WorkBoots.com

Founded in 2004, WorkBoots.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. Serving hard-working professionals, the online superstore provides a wide selection of high quality work boots and delivers them right to your doorstep. Top brands include Magnum, Georgia Boot, Converse Work and Wolverine.

The running shoes superstore has partnered with New Balance to host a contest to share and celebrate training tips. Maybe it’s a certain meal to eat or a stretch that really does the trick. Perhaps it’s a stellar iPhone app or a particular training regime that sets the stage for an amazing training season. Whatever it might be, share it for a chance to win.

What’s up for grabs? A New Balance outfit to cover your spring training needs. That’s right. RunningShoes.com will dress you from head to toe in New Balance gear. This includes a technical running shirt, running shorts or skirt and New Balance running shoes. The winner will be able to select any pair of running shoes from the New Balance line-up, including the popular 890 series or the new 1080 v2, given the availability of the shoes.

For a chance to win, entrants have been asked to post their favorite spring training tip in the comments section at Running Shoes News. The best tips will be selected by the staff of RunningShoes.com.

What makes a good tip? Be specific, accurate and transparent. If there are sources, cite them. If you are living proof, show it. Did a YouTube video help you with a training method? Share it.

The winners will be announced each Wednesday for the next four weeks of April, starting April 4, 2012. The contest is open to U.S. residents only.

About RunningShoes.com

Founded in 1996, RunningShoes.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. The online running shoes superstore provides a wide selection of specialty footwear for athletes from top brands like Asics, Brooks and New Balance. From barefoot running to trail running, RunningShoes.com tracks the latest trends in footwear and delivers them right to your doorstep.

Through the partnership, customers of TacticalGear.com have the ability to make a donation during the checkout process. Customers can select a donation amount with all proceeds going to The Mission Continues.

“We are incredibly honored and excited to have TacticalGear.com and its customers support The Mission Continues,” said Lyndsey Hodges, Director of Development for The Mission Continues. “This commitment will allow us to help even more post-9/11 veterans to continue their service and leadership in their communities in 2012.”

After hearing The Mission Continues’ founder and former U.S. Navy SEAL Eric Greitens share his story, Chad Weinman, CEO of TacticalGear.com, decided to find a way to help. TacticalGear.com and The Mission Continues collaborated on a plan to give online shoppers the ability to make a donation during the checkout process. The donation functionality, which was developed in-house at TacticalGear.com, is slated to be a permanent fixture on the site’s checkout page.

“We are incredibly moved by what The Mission Continues does for those who have served our country,” Weinman said. “We are excited to see how TacticalGear.com can aid excellent service projects in our local community here in St. Louis and in communities across the country.”

Developed for post-9/11 veterans, The Mission Continues’ fellowship program typically includes 28 weeks of volunteer work. Participants are provided a living stipend during this period. To date, the service organization has awarded over 250 post-9/11 veterans with six-month fellowships in local nonprofit organizations, mentoring at-risk youth, training guide dogs for disabled Americans, coordinating housing builds or doing disaster preparedness work.

About TacticalGear.com

Launched in 2004, TacticalGear.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based in Chesterfield, Mo. The online superstore was designed from the ground up to serve members of the tactical community and offers a wide selection of apparel, footwear and gear, including Propper clothing, Bates boots and Blackhawk tactical gear.

About The Mission Continues

The Mission Continues is the only national nonprofit organization that challenges post-9/11 veterans to rebuild a sense of purpose through community service. The organization was founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL Eric Greitens in 2007 when he returned from his final deployment to Iraq, fueled by the deep belief that veterans are civic assets. The Mission Continues offers six-month community service fellowships to veterans, awarding over 200 fellowships to date. The organization does not offer charity; rather, it challenges returning service members to utilize their tremendous skills and leadership to continue serving our country at home. For more information, please visit missioncontinues.org.

The shoes up for grabs aren’t any ordinary pair of sneakers. They are Mizuno’s 15th anniversary limited edition of the Wave Rider. Built for moderate protection with neutral control, the Wave Rider has won numerous awards during its lifespan, including the 1999 Editors’ Choice Award and the 2003 Best Update Award from Runner’s World magazine. When compared to other Mizuno running shoes, the Wave Rider remains one of its most popular styles.

According to Mizuno, the latest iteration mixes past technologies with a lightweight feel. The Wave Rider includes Mizuno Wave, a technology that combines cushioning with stability. It also features SmoothRide, a technology that has been improved in the Wave Rider by allowing for an optimal level of flex at toe-off and by moving the heel contact point forward, which is said to produce a more fluid ride. The limited edition of the Wave Rider 15 is available in ruby for men and crystal for women.

To win a pair, contestants have been asked to answer the question: What do you love about your running buddy? Whether it’s a friend or significant other, RunningShoes.com wants to hear about the ones who inspire you to get off the couch, run faster and go farther.

To enter, answer the question at Running Shoes News in the comments section. The winner will be selected by the staff of RunningShoes.com and announced on Feb. 15, 2012. The winner and his or her running buddy will be awarded pairs of the Wave Rider 15. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

About RunningShoes.com

Founded in 1996, RunningShoes.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. The online running shoes superstore provides a wide selection of specialty footwear for athletes from top brands like Asics, Brooks and New Balance. From barefoot running to trail running, RunningShoes.com tracks the latest trends in footwear and delivers them right to your doorstep.

Wolverine pays homage to its more than 125-year history with this made-in-the-USA work boot. From their Michigan-based factory, the craftsmen combine the finest Horween leather, Gore-Tex waterproof lining, Vibram outsoles and Thinsulate insulation with traditional, time-tested methods to create the Northman. These Goodyear Welt constructed Wolverine boots are available in brown or black with an optional steel toe.

There’s no hard work involved when earning a chance to win these boots. To enter, just visit Work Boots News and answer the question, “Where do you wear your work boots?” The randomly selected winner will receive a pair of the high-quality, durable Northman boots.

All contestants must be 18 years or older and live in the United States. Comments must be approved, so they might not appear immediately. The final day to enter is January 20, 2012, and the winner will be announced January 23.

About WorkBoots.com

Founded in 2004, WorkBoots.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. Serving hard-working professionals, the online superstore provides a wide selection of high quality work boots. Top brands include Danner, Rocky, Rucks, Converse, Wolverine and Magnum.

Launching in January 2012, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 is the twelfth iteration of its No. 1 selling shoe. Through the years, this stability shoe has received numerous accolades for its smooth ride. Most recently Runner’s World deemed the 11^th version of the Adrenaline GTS the “Best Update” in its winter shoe guide. For those not familiar with Brooks running shoes, the Washington-based manufacturer strives to let runners ‘run happy’ in superior technical footwear.

According to Brooks, the revised Adrenaline GTS boasts the same fit and feel of its previous versions. Updates to the shoe include more mesh to increase the breathability, a friction-resistant heel, a crash pad that encompasses more strides and Flextra technology to optimize forefoot flex. It will be offered in six colors and four widths.

To enter to win a pair of Adrenaline GTS 12, contestants must post a comment describing their 2012 running goal at Running Shoes News. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be selected at random and announced on Jan. 15, 2012.

About RunningShoes.com

Founded in 1996, RunningShoes.com is a customer service-focused Internet retailer based near St. Louis, Mo. The online running shoes superstore provides a wide selection of athletic footwear from top brands like Asics, Brooks and New Balance. With personalized customer service and customized shopping platforms, RunningShoes.com’s core values create an unforgettable virtual shopping experience.

Survivors come in all shapes and sizes, but they share one distinguishing trait—the ability to overcome whatever challenges they may face. Inspired by National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the contest urges women to share their personal mantras or favorite survivor quotes that keep them going.

The lucky winner will take home a chic piece of pink shooting gear, which has been provided by Bang Bang Boutique. Proudly displayed on the bag is the word survivor accompanied by the signature pink ribbon. Embellished with rhinestones, the design is tasteful and elegant. Large enough to hold those shooting range essentials, it’s not too bulky and can comfortably be carried throughout the day.

To enter, ladies need to comment here: http://tacticalgear.com/news/survivor-quote-contest-win- ….

All contestants must be 18 years or older and live in the United States. All comments must be approved, so they might not appear immediately underneath the post. The winning entry will be selected on Nov. 22, 2011 and will be announced the following day via Facebook and Twitter.

About Cat5 Commerce

Founded in 2004, Cat5 Commerce develops and operates niche online retail destinations including TacticalGear.com, RunningShoes.com and WorkBoots.com. With personalized customer service and customized shopping platforms, Cat5′s core values create an unforgettable virtual shopping experience.

Many people haven’t spent a great deal of time contemplating what they look like when they run. Most let go of whatever thoughts are holding them back and just go for it. Tapping into that primal survival instinct, they are only focused on the pounding of their feet against the pavement. They run like animals, which is exactly what Pearl Izumi urges its wearers to do.

Tell RunningShoes.com just what kind of furry creature you run like and you’ll be entered to win the Pearl Izumi Streak II ($110). It’s easy to enter, just leave a comment under the post at: http://runningshoes.com/news/giveaway-pearl-izumi-streak-ii/. For bonus points, entrants can include a link to a photo of either themselves or their animal.

The Pearl Izumi Streak II weighs in at 7.9 ounces. Boasting a seamless upper, the seam-free interior offers a certain element of comfort. The outsole is made up of EVA and blown rubber that combines for great cushioning and weight savings. The Energy Foam cushions the forefoot upon impact and returns energy back to the runner.

Its segmented forefoot offers a smooth and efficient ride. Adding to its running comfort, the Ortholite sockliner provides long-lasting cushioning. The lacing anatomically conforms to the foot for a tailored fit regardless of foot shape.

The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. The winner will be announced Nov. 9, 2011.

About Cat5 Commerce

Founded in 2004, Cat5 Commerce develops and operates niche online retail destinations including RunningShoes.com,TacticalGear.com and HikingBoots.com. With personalized customer service and customized shopping platforms, Cat5′s core values create an unforgettable virtual shopping experience.