New Balance is working with Intel on a smartwatch for runners

Intel showed off a bunch of new partnerships in its keynote at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas tonight, and one of them should have runners excited. New Balance, a trusted running shoe maker, is now working with Intel to launch a smartwatch exclusively for runners.

New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini announced the news as he stood next to Intel CEO Brian Krzanich on stage. Both men were wearing New Balance shoes that were made using three-dimensional images of feet, thanks to Intel’s RealSense technology. And these types of shoes will be made available in April in Boston. Eventually, DeMartini said, people could very well print out shoes made this way from the store or even right from home.

As for the watch, it will become available in the next holiday season, DeMartini said.

He explained that it will help runners “focus on their training so they can constantly improve performance.”

Of course, there are several other smartwatches available, including those from brands like Casio and Swatch. And Fossil bought Misfit. Nike has Nike+. Now New Balance is getting into the game.

DeMartini used the CES appearance to announce the formation of the company’s Digital Sport division.