When we discuss running culture, we often think of elite performance, exhausting marathon training or grandiose life changes. It’s the world’s most accessible exercise, yet we still seem to talk about running in a harmful way. Simply put, for most of us, it makes running seem out of reach.
On Running’s latest campaign ‘Run Together’ provides an answer. Showing us how running is the ultimate act of togetherness in tandem with the launch of their new Cloudflow 4 and Cloudmonster trainers. The Swiss sportswear brand is on a mission to help realise the power running unlocks for all of us. And with running crews and communities popping up around the world, On positions running as an antidote to stress relief and loneliness. A catalyst for mental wellbeing and community building. And an encouragement for us all to get back on our feet.
Directed by British filmmaker Mollie Mills, Run Together spans three cities in three continents – New York, Tokyo and Berlin – and pairs three emerging artists with three unique running collectives from the heart of each city’s creative scene. In New York, we meet trailblazing Irish rapper Rejjie Snow – who has since made the US his home – as he jogs through the busy streets of Queens alongside young runner, Izadora Joseph and her run crew, the Black Roses. Created in 2013 by marathon runner Knox Robinson, Black Roses began as a group striving to connect runners and non-runners with diverse backgrounds and stories, defined from the city’s makeup and mixing a love of running with New York’s inimitable culture.
In the launch film, Rejjie Snow sets the tone straight off the bat. “Togetherness”, he explains, “feels like a space that’s filled with love”. What follows is a heady trip into New York’s sun-lit downtown, wrapped up in a visceral soundscape with mid-day chatter, air vents and taxis floating behind. It’s beautiful and chaotic, as we follow Rejjie, Izadora and Black Roses Run Club into busy Queens. Snow shares another unspoken benefit of running – establishing a sense of your surroundings – as he describes running New York helping him feel at one with the metropolis. Touching anecdotes from Rejjie and Iza describe their relationship to both running and themselves, and the irresistible feeling of togetherness the run with On brings.
With Cloudflow 4 launching on October 5th, Run Together is the perfect ode to today’s running culture – shifting the focus from elite performance, to the power of community and collective experiences. On, wants us to realise our fullest potential by relying less on rugged individualism, and more on the communities around us – reminding us the people who run together, persevere together.
Discover the collection here.
Credits
Director Mollie Mills
Photographer Daniel Shea