Running Shorts

News from the brands and events driving the run specialty business.

As The Running Event 2026 in San Antonio, TX, Dec. 1-3, approaches, there has been plenty of activity among the leading brands for run specialty

Sprints Running and Chiquita Collaborate
A limited-edition collection from Sprints in collaboration with Chiquita called “Here For The Banana Run Club” was recently launched during Chicago Marathon weekend. The limited-edition 16-piece collection of performance apparel and statement accessories was inspired by one of running’s recognizable traditions: the finish-line banana.

For generations, the banana has been a familiar part of the post-run ritual, waiting at finish lines, tucked into post-race food bags and fueling runners after long miles. From neighborhood 5Ks to 26.2-mile marathons, it has become an unofficial symbol of the sport and a staple of race-day culture.

Now, Sprints and Chiquita are giving that tradition a bold new expression. Here For The Banana Run Club brings Chiquita’s iconic banana imagery into Sprints’ colorful and fun world, transforming a familiar piece of running culture into a collection designed to make a statement. Featuring performance apparel and statement accessories, the collection celebrates the energy, humor and community that make running culture so unique with Chiquita’s unmistakable personality at the center of it all.

“Running culture is changing. People still care about PRs and race times, but they also want community, personality and a reason to have fun with the sport,” explains Eric Rose, founder and CEO of Sprints. “The banana has been part of running for a long time. It’s waiting for you at the finish line whether you ran 15 minutes or five hours. We loved the idea of taking this little symbol that runners understand and completely leaning into it.”

The Sprints x Chiquita collection was available at Chiquita’s booth at the marathon expo and at getsprints.com while supplies last.

Merrell Launches Holiday Campaign
Merrell’s latest campaign, entitled “Gift the what if,” celebrates gifting discovery, while reframing holiday gifting as an invitation to “step beyond routine” and “into something unexpected.” The campaign was photographed by Elliot James Kennedy in Queenstown, New Zealand, with styling by Estelle Schueler and production by See Me.

The “Gift the what if” campaign imagery uses the outdoors as the setting where new experiences, connections, and discoveries begin. These core themes are brought to life through three distinct expressions of that idea: cold weather core, cozy collection, and winter performance.

• Cold Weather Core explores possibilities in the city. The messaging encourages people to rediscover familiar places, follow curiosity, and find possibility in everyday moments. Highlighted products include Moab 3 Mid Waterproof and Jungle Moc.

• Cozy Collection explores possibility through comfort and warmth. Cozy is where warmth creates the confidence to say yes to winter, making more experiences possible. Highlighted products include Encore Ice 5 and Hut Moc Slide 2 Cozy.
• Winter Performance explores possibility through capability and confidence. Performance keeps possibilities in play through all of winter’s whims. Highlighted products include Coldpack Thermo Mid Waterproof and Siren 4 Thermo Lace Waterproof.

The campaign rolled out across digital, social and in-store channels on October 5, featuring highlighted key styles from the winter collection.

Merrell and Sundance Collaborate
In other news at Merrell, the brand and Sundance Collab, the Sundance Institute’s digital learning platform for filmmakers worldwide, have entered into a three-year global storytelling partnership, bringing Merrell’s global brand platform, It Starts Outside, to life through original social-first films created by filmmakers around the world.

“Sundance Collab is a perfect partner for It Starts Outside because it brings together world-class filmmakers from different backgrounds, each with a distinct way of telling stories,” explains Richard McLeod, CMO at Merrell. “When we introduced It Starts Outside earlier this year, we shared our belief that even the simplest moments outdoors can spark something meaningful. Through this partnership, filmmakers from around the world will bring that belief to life through human interest stories that show what the outside can unlock in us, how it connects us and the many ways it can shape our lives.”

Merrell and Sundance Collab first came together in June 2026 to launch the Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program (It Starts Outside), inviting filmmakers from around the world to submit original concepts inspired by the transformative power of stepping outside.

More than 1200 filmmakers from 90 countries submitted proposals. Applications were reviewed by a committee of Merrell executives, athletes, creatives and film experts, with six filmmakers ultimately selected to bring their ideas to life.

Each selected filmmaker will receive $20,000 in support from Merrell to produce an original 60- to 90-second social-first film, alongside mentorship, education, guidance and feedback throughout a three-month production program with Sundance Collab.

The six filmmakers selected for the inaugural program are Sharon Liese, Ciril Jazbec, John Luke Miraflor, Laura Basil Duncan, Gabriella Canal and Quinne Larsen. Their films will explore the meaning of It Starts Outside through distinctly personal perspectives, demonstrating that there is no single definition of the outside, or of what it can unlock, from connection and creativity to personal transformation.

As part of the partnership, the program will culminate at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, where these six filmmakers will join Merrell for a live panel exploring the intersection of film and the outdoors, and the role both can play in inspiring connection, creativity and personal growth.

The Festival will also mark Merrell’s debut as the Official Footwear Partner of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, extending the relationship beyond the storytelling program and into one of the world’s most influential communities of independent storytellers and creators.

Mount to To Coast Hires Ambrose
Hong Kong-based performance footwear brand Mount to Coast has hired running shoe veteran Mike Ambrose as its first global product line manager. Ambrose has worked in the endurance industry since 2015, including footwear roles at Nnormal, Black Diamond, and Salomon. He is based in Salt Lake City, UT.

In his new role, Ambrose will collaborate closely with the brand’s co-founders and Hong Kong-based leadership, helping to guide the brand’s growing number of road, trail, and hybrid offerings.

New Product: H2O Audio Ultra Series
The Tri Ultra (MSRP: $199) and Tri Ultra Pro (MSRP: $249) are H2O Audio’s most rugged bone conduction headphones yet, with up to 24 hours of battery life. Developed with feedback from athletes tackling longer rides, runs and endurance events, the IPX-8 rated waterproof Tri Ultra series features the same proprietary dual-magnet bone conduction drivers as the company’s Tri 2 line.

In addition to the extended battery life, the line features improved controls with a dedicated Mode button, making it easier to switch between Bluetooth and onboard memory with a single click. The headset's clamping force has also been optimized for comfort during longer training sessions.

Team Milk Welcomes rabbit
Team Milk has named rabbit as the premier apparel partner for Every Woman’s Marathon 2027, marking three years of this groundbreaking event in women’s sports. rabbit, the female-founded California running apparel and footwear brand, will bring its community-focused approach to race week through new product, activations and experiences in New Orleans.

“Every Woman’s Marathon has quickly become one of those events that feels like so much more than a race,” says Monica DeVreese, co-Founder and CEO of rabbit. “It brings together an incredible community of women who are running for all kinds of reasons and we’re proud to be part of an event that celebrates that.”

rabbit and Every Woman’s Marathon’s training kit is available at runinrabbit.com. In year three, this custom collection is designed around the rhythm of marathon training and the women who show up for it day after day. The pieces reflect the momentum that builds when running distance, from the first step to finding your stride. Bold color and energetic details celebrate the confidence, strength and joy.

The collection includes the Pacer Pocket Crop, Tempo Tee SS, Tempo Tank and Tempo Muscle Tank. A Race Kit will follow in November, along with a selection of rabbit x Every Woman’s Marathon gear available race weekend.

Brooks Opens Boston Store
Brooks Running is opening a store in Boston, marking the first in-line store outside a flagship store on the ground floor of its corporate headquarters in Seattle. It also operates an outlet store in Bothell, WA.
The Boston store, measuring 3980-square feet, is located at 408 Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.