Adidas Runners is a global running movement that aims to energize, support, and unite runners around the world. Rolled out in key cities, Adidas Runners has a “run hard, play hard” mentality with personalized milestone plans, expert coaching, and unique rewards. Members can feel at home in any city they visit by connecting with the Adidas Runners squads around the world.
While last year Adidas launched partnerships with various running groups throughout the metro, the launch of Adidas Runners in Manila two weeks ago has brought formal re-entry into our local running community space with branded running sessions and their own coaching approach.
Unfortunately I didn’t get to join the running during the launch; it was just a day afterUber’s operations were suspended in the country, so I had to drive my sister home before heading back to connect with the Adidas Runners gathered that day. Not to worry, though: there are many sessions throughout the week at various locations I can join to get the Adidas Runners experience.
This initiative is near and dear to my heart because I started out running with an Adidas-organized group, the adiNation of Runners at Bonifacio High Street. I trained for my first two marathons with all those wonderful athletes of different abilities and I honestly just have such good memories from back then. The Adidas Runners launch reunited me with them as well as so many others I’ve met in my years of running and triathlon.
Adidas general manager Adrien Semblat, one of my Ironman 70.3 Philippines training buddies
Runs will be led by Captains Jules Aquino, Maureen Schrijvers, and Ani De Leon-Brown, themselves brand ambassadors for Adidas.
Jules is a decathlete for the UP Diliman Track and Field team, but grew up competing in various sports including swimming, tennis, and American football. Maureen is a bemedalled track-and-field runner who excelled from youth all the way into her UAAP stint representing De La Salle University. Coach Ani, of course, is one of the top triathlon coaches in the country who steered our female triathletes to a gold-silver finish at the past two SEA Games.
“With AR Manila, we’re building a community that’s united by our love for running. As captains, we’re here to push our runners to get better each week and have fun doing it,” Coach Ani said.
The full expert team includes running coaches and pacers, a strength coach, nutrition coach and a medical coach. It’s pretty full-on, and amazingly is for free!
Join the Adidas Runners Manila group on Facebook to get up-to-date information for upcoming group running and training sessions.
