There’s something about the month of May – maybe it’s the momentum of the spring season or the growth and renewal that surrounds the routes that we run – but it’s when performance meets progression, and the next PR could be just a race away. Warm weather complements hard workouts, the days begin to linger, and our long runs follow suit. We lean into sweat-ridden sessions, our sights set on speed and stamina.
Don’t take my word for it – it’s written in running history.
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister forged a new definition of “fast” on the track at Iffley Road in Oxford, England by breaking the four-minute mile with a 3:59.4 finish that seemed to defy science. He ushered in a new era of the sport – one grounded in hard work and human spirit, proving the power of one’s mind and might, and how limits can get lost to legends.
This month, we honor Sir Roger Bannister, his breakthrough performance, and the limitless potential of the runner’s spirit. |
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VAN CORTLANDT GRAND SHORTS
When Roger Bannister broke that four-minute barrier, fellow competitor George Dole stood at the same starting line. The graduate student and mean half-miler wore modestly-cut shorts with contrast binding – not too short, not too long, perfectly poised to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Now, it may not have been his performance, but I admired those shorts so much that we reimagined them for today's runners. The Van Cortlandt Grand Shorts feature a slightly longer inseam and lightweight, antimicrobial mesh, designed for race day drama. |
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BANNISTER TEE
Every year, we release a limited-edition graphic to honor Bannister’s mighty moment in running history. This year, while we continued this tradition with one design that pays tribute to his breakthrough, we introduced a second that captures the future milestones yet to be achieved. And with the prospect of witnessing the first female to break four – Faith Kipyegon, we’re looking at you – there’s no better time to pair hope and heritage. After all, today’s efforts are tomorrow’s history. |
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LOGGED MILES IN LONDON
In April, we took a look into our London community, sharing a session with a few Amateur Support Athletes while they described the determination behind marathon training. As they retraced the highs and lows – the inspiration, the effort, the advice passed from one runner to another, it all felt so familiar. These are the kinds of miles that define our sport (and Tracksmith), and being part of their preparation – watching resilience unfold in real time, supported by the new Eliot Racer – felt like something bigger: something authentic, athletic, and unapologetically ambitious.
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HONORING MARATHON EXCELLENCE
For a month underscored by the achievements of runners, it’s only fitting that we look back on an event held just before the marathon in Boston, where we honored Marilyn Bevans – the first Black American woman to run the marathon in less than three hours – and the legacy of The List, the inspiring group of American-born Black women who have accomplished the formidable feat since. Our very own NYC Community Manager Erica Stanley-Dottin, on The List herself, led an empowering discussion about the last five decades of our sport. There was much to take away from the conversation, but to put it simply: by pausing on the past, we forge paths for the future. That’s running. |
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SAY HELLO TO CENTRO
In the last edition, we shared a new approach to our relationship with athletes, where we’ll have more opportunities to weave runners’ insights into our work as we continue to create authentic running gear and community connections. And so, we were honored to announce a partnership with Matthew Centrowitz, 2016 Olympic gold medalist, both as a brand ambassador and investor. Years after his measured, masterful win in the 1500m at the summer games in Rio in 2016, he’s transitioned into the world of amateur running, with Tracksmith at his side. |
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EMBRACE THE HEAT
We’re quickly getting closer to Summer, which means sunnier days, SPF on standby, and a seasonal wardrobe swap. We’ve got something good to get you ready for the rise in temperatures. This month, we’re launching the Meridian Collection – designed to handle heat and high-intensity. The breezy, breathable styles use VentAir® technology to keep you feeling cool and comfortable (plus, it keeps the fabric from clinging). These pieces feel different than anything we’ve made before – super soft and lightweight, yet somehow substantial. Premium and performance-ready. Meridian might just save you on one of those scorching Summer sessions.
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THE RETURN OF THE TWILIGHT 5000
The Twilight 5000 Series is back. Every summer we host a slew of track meets that span far and wide, from Kezar Stadium in San Francisco to Battersea Park in London, and this year we’ve selected nine cities to house these electric events. The Twilight 5000 gives runners the chance to race beneath the floodlights in a low-stakes, high-energy 5k fueled by camaraderie and—let’s be honest—a bit of healthy competition. We still have capacity at a few races, and we don’t kick off until May 31st in Washington D.C., so secure your spot on the starting line by signing up below.
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FROM THE RUNNING WORLD
Quick Splits
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Like the Wind
Earlier this month, we teamed up with Like the Wind magazine to create Metropolitan Times – a special-edition newspaper celebrating the spirit of the marathon through the lens of two iconic race weekends: Boston and London.
If you picked up a copy, you already know what made it special; from Bobbi Gibb’s story of breaking barriers in Boston and Erica Stanley-Dottin’s powerful reflections on running and legacy, to a behind-the-scenes conversation between myself and Like the Wind’s Simon Freeman on the role of storytelling in running culture.
If you missed it, don’t worry – Like the Wind publishes beautiful, thought-provoking stories about running every quarter. For over ten years, they’ve championed the “why” behind the sport – from first-person accounts and photography to essays and art – all printed on paper you’ll want to keep. And if you loved Metropolitan Times and want more stories like it, this is where to find them.
Sub Four
When we created our Monte Carlo 2054 graphic for this year’s Bannister anniversary, there was no talk of an actual attempt at the first-ever women’s sub-4:00 mile. We chose a date 100 years after Bannister’s feat and a famously fast track to represent an accomplishment that many expect to witness in their lifetime.
Since then, Kenyan Faith Kipyegon has announced that she will attempt to break the hallowed mark on June 26th in Paris. There are still questions about whether this will be a “legal” race or a staged attempt, similar to Eliud Kipchoge’s Breaking 2 attempts. Either way, I’m captivated.
I first started considering this possibility when I came across Sam Cheuvront’s analysis of what it would take to close the, at the time, 12.34-second gap. But more recently, Fabian Beaumont and others released a research paper showing that proper pacing and aerodynamic support could reduce the time over 1500 meters by 7 seconds. At Kipyegon’s current World Record of 4:07.64, that gets her awfully close to the magical barrier. Will she do it? Time, as always, will tell. |
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