I’m writing from a small cottage nestled along a tidal marsh that serves everything from coyotes and turkeys to hawks and blackbirds. I first came here in 2001 with my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Emily. Her grandparents built the cottage in 1972 as a summer retreat. A decade later, Emily’s parents built something similar just down the road. They were gym teachers who wanted to spend their summers “down the Cape” working at the general store and running the rec department. The rec department had a number of programs, but the most important for this running-obsessed family was the Wellfleet Road Race.
Started in 1975 by Brewster Fox and Bob Marsh, the 5-miler is the second oldest race on the Cape behind Falmouth, held annually during the July 4th weekend. But unlike Falmouth, which hosts 11,000+ runners each August and has the feel - and logistics - of a major road race, the Wellfleet Road Race has retained all of its local charm: registration still takes place at a folding table that morning, and tradition runs deep as families participate across multiple generations, including kids in the 1.2-mile race. Uncertainty (and nerves) rule the starting line as the top athletes wonder who will show up, and not just the local heroes of the lower Cape but also the random DIII cross country runner who’s in the middle of his summer build. (If that last one feels oddly specific, it’s because I lost to that kid one summer.)
But the most charming aspect of the Wellfleet Road Race, as it is for many long-standing road races, is the Race Tee. Cut in cotton rather than polyester, screen-printed with a graphic from a local artist, these pieces become treasures. Washed and worn hundreds of times, passed down to the kids, reminders of performances past. If I could change one thing in the running industry, it would be to mandate that every Race Tee is made of cotton, just like the beautiful artifacts pictured above. That being said, some gear is simply made for the starting line. |
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THE ELIOT RACER
Two years ago, I toed the line at the Wellfleet Road Race for the 8th time, only that year, I was equipped with an early prototype of the Eliot Racer. It was the first time I put it through race pace, and even then, it delivered on its signature benefit - strong propulsion with great cushioning. But the midsole had a large opening down the middle, which made it unstable around several of Wellfleet’s 90-degree turns. Of course, the shoe evolved over many rounds of wear-testing and prototyping, every detail considered, until we landed on the final design. Super shoes are mostly talked about in the context of marathoning, but I love wearing the Eliot Racer for my harder workouts and shorter road races. |
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THE MERIDIAN TANK
Boston has been hot this summer – we just had a couple of days where the temperature was close to triple digits. I’ve had the Meridian Tank in constant rotation, and the premium performance fabric with micro grid ventilation has been a game changer, even in the sweatiest sessions. The fabric has a very unique hand-feel, unlike any other tech top on the market. It feels snappy, and I’m happy to have it on my hottest and hardest runs. |
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RUN CANNONBALL RUN SHORTS
Not every run on the Cape is fast, but most are hot this time of year. So on my easier days, when high tide aligns, I love to stop mid-run for a quick jump off Lieutenant Island Bridge. The Run Cannonball Run Shorts were inspired by this personal experience – too many times I’d interrupt a run for a dunk in the bay or one of the many kettle ponds, only to struggle with soggy and sagging shorts the whole way home. These swim-friendly running shorts fix that problem. And this year, they come in a lovely and stretchy performance seersucker. |
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MISSING MARTHA'S ALREADY
Our summer collection has been live for a couple of weeks now, and while we’re proud to present the staples of the season, we’re also excited to share countless coastal moments from our time on Martha’s Vineyard. Sunny miles, seaside meals, small town charm – all the things about the island made it the perfect backdrop to capture the essentials, from distinct pieces like the new UV Long Sleeve to fresh colorways in our classics. I must admit, I’m missing the sunrises on the shore already, but at least the story lives on in our latest lookbook.
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HIGH SPEED HIGHLIGHTS
We love to give you the opportunity to race and connect with the community, and we’ve recently been able to do just that with events designed to bring the elite racing experience to all runners – from the Amateur Mile in London to our global Twilight 5000 Series (which is still on, by the way – click here to learn more).
This year, our London community also got to take part in the first-ever Solstice 3K at the VIA Criterium, hosted by VIA Atelier. This one-of-a-kind experience featured a technical road race through the heart of the city, from King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard. The energy was spectacular, and as you can see above, the Eliot Racer was popular at the starting line. If you’re interested in racing with us this summer, view our community calendar below.
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OUR MOBILE TRACKHOUSE
The Tracksmith Envoy has been on quite the road trip this year. If you’ve followed the journey on Instagram, you may have seen our mobile Trackhouse at the Cherry Blossom in D.C., Grandma’s in Minnesota or one of the many stops in between. But the journey is just getting started. We’ve mapped out the next few months for the Envoy, so be sure to stay up to date on the schedule to join us at a notable race near you. Wherever we go, you’ll have the chance to shop racing essentials, try on the Eliot Racer, and run with the Tracksmith Community.
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A MAJOR COUNTDOWN
With just months to go until the most famous fall marathons, it’s time to think about race strategy. Not just for the big day, but for the build up to it. Later this month, we’ll be announcing our 100 Days training program in select cities, which is our signature series of programming designed around the 26.2-mile distance, as well as upcoming marathon activations for the rest of 2025. From kick-off parties to community runs to post-race poster stamping, you can look forward to all the usual festivities, with some new twists this fall. Oh, and we’re definitely going down under.
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FROM THE RUNNING WORLD
Quick Splits
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Tracksmith Stamata
Over the past few months, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Stephanie Bruce, 8-time trials qualifier – not just sharing gear, but sharing goals. Yes, her authentic experience makes her the ultimate wear-tester, but beyond that, she’s also an incredible resource for runners, sharing her grit and her goals on Instagram. This week, we’re excited to join Steph in introducing Tracksmith Stamata, a women’s program that she’ll be leading to support marathoners who are chasing an OTQ, featuring hands-on guidance, targeted race opportunities, and training camps. The application period is open, so if you’ve got your sights set on the marathon trials, learn more here. |
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A Lap Around the Track
It’s been a busy month for track and field. Grand Slam Track, a new league founded by Michael Johnson, announced the cancellation of the final race in their inaugural 4-race season. It’s not clear why, but it’s not a good sign. Let’s see what 2026 has in store.
Noah Lyles backed out of a 100m showdown with Tyreek Hill, citing “personal reasons.” So Tyreek did the next best thing - he beat Noah’s Brother, Josephus. Everyone knows a fit Noah would beat a fit Tyreek 95 out of 100 races, but I have to admit I was impressed Tyreek ran a 10.1.
Last week, Nike hosted Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4:00 mile attempt. It was a moonshot, of course, asking her to knock 7 seconds off the current world record, and an inspiring one that captured the imagination of runners everywhere. But at times it felt more like a marketing campaign than a celebration of one of the greatest mid-distance runners of all time, and more broadly, the incredible progression we’ve seen in women’s running. Hot takes abound, but in my mind it never hurts to chase personal excellence.
Save Track
A landmark settlement between the House and NCAA will threaten Collegiate Track & Field as we know it. Roster limits and school priorities could relegate track - and many other “minor” sports - to a club system. It’s not the first time schools have tried to cut their track & field programs. But like last time, Russell Dinkins is at the front of the pack. Dinkins drives our Tracksmith Foundation, which has been a leading voice to SAVE TRACK. The Foundation has helped save college teams and has provided support to thousands of youth athletes across the country. Dinkins, who serves as the Foundation’s Executive Director, recently penned an article about why Track is America’s Opportunity Sport, coining a term he sees as an important messaging device for the fight ahead. Sign-up for the newsletter to receive a recap of the piece on July 11th, stay informed on Foundation news and learn of specific ways you can get involved. |
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