RUNNERS HELPING RUNNERS
Running has always been an act of optimism. But in its search to redefine human performance, Nike Running had become too serious, too technical—and had lost a bit of the joy and soul that inspires so many to run in the first place.
So we asked ourselves: what if we stayed true to that optimism and leveraged the diverse perspectives of the global running community to just help each other get better?
FROM KAPTAGAT TO THE WORLD
This global community needed a leader who was as much a philosopher as they are runner. A spiritual guide to shepherd this ever-growing collective with ruminations on running.
Inspired by his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, we made Eliud Kipchoge that cerebral muse. Whether responding to questions directly, or connecting you to someone who can help, he always has the answer…direct from a HQ that may or may not be hidden behind a bookshelf inside the Sandy Bodecker library at the Global Sports Communication training camp.
GOING THE DISTANCE
That philosophy extended to everyone, even for elite marathon runners like Shalane Flanagan who was aiming to run six marathons, each one under three hours, in 42 days, across the globe. Who better to ask if there’s such a thing as running too much?
REASONS TO RUN
At a time when over 66m Americans decided to take up running for the first time (joining over 650m others around the world) we wanted to platform the wisdom and perspective of that global collective—and the honesty, humanity and optimism behind every run.
Runners Helping Runners took us to Eileen in London with an octogenarian’s perspective on running; to David in Chicago who was going from 0 to 26.2 miles in preparation for his first ever marathon; to Sofi in Mexico City focusing on the mindfulness of the run.
AGE DOESN’T HAVE A SPEED LIMIT
Eileen Noble didn’t start running until she was 51. Now at 86, she’s completed 21 marathons and isn’t planning on stopping any time soon. In fact, she just ran the London Marathon. Her secret to staying motivated on long runs?
“Accept the fact that you’re going to do it slowly, but just keep going."
TRUST THE PROCESS
David Latimore had only been running for a year, but he was already ready for the Chicago Marathon. What started as a hobby has become a passion that’s even inspired friends to start running. Throughout his journey, David’s learned a lot, but the most important thing:
“Don’t compare your process to anyone else’s.”
BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND
While living abroad, Sofi Kim began running to meet new people and fight off seasonal depression in the winter. The benefits of running began to snowball as did her love for the sport. Her advice for anyone that gets nervous before a race:
“Focus on three sounds around you. Then take three deep breaths. It helps you disconnect from everything.”
CONSCIOUS MINDS
Creative Director: Reef Younis
ACD: Fairfax Buchanan-Banks
ACD: Graham Wesley-Lewis
ACD: Kris Cantrell
Senior Designer: Ben Biondo
Studio Director: Doug Raschio
EP: Santino Stoner
Studio Producer: Sláine Houts
Post Producer: Jamie Baker
Senior Editor: Dominic Laing
Head of Strategy: Robby Egan
Senior Strategist: Ione Sterental
Senior Strategist: Veronica Turner
PRODUCTION
Director: Charles Todd
Set Design: Ava Villafane
NIKE
Gui Glezer
Adriano Furtado
Vinny Lowe
Steve Henderson
Amie Champagne
Jamie Oelrich