What started out as a two-person “run buddy meetup” for JR Jensen and Los Antonio has now taken on a life of its own. No Sleep Running Club found its roots as a way for its founders to “hold each other accountable” in their fitness journeys as runners, but as they describe it, the pandemic forced their method of accountability to move online. Along with this change, the once-friendly agreement between friends morphed into a running club that is hundreds of members strong. Now, a collaboration with a major athletic wear brand is on the way.
It was announced in a press release on Wednesday (July 21) that No Sleeping Running Club would be working with Diadora, an Italian activewear brand known for its classic footwear. Still in its infancy at just over one-year-old, the running club is taking huge strides with plans well beyond just releasing active wear. The brands are gearing up to organize “major running events” and produce “media content designed to inspire and educate on the horizon.”
NSRC prides itself on its diverse slate of runners ranging from intense long-distance athletes to what they refer to as “everyday heroes” — normal people who run for the joy of being active and the sense of community. In a statement, NSRC co-founder — or co-captain, shall we say? — Antonio noted that the running club was particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with Diadora because of the “dynamic attitude of the brand’s mission.” The activewear giant mirrored these sentiments in their own statement, stating that “at Diadora, everyone is a runner and understands how running can positively impact one’s day and life.”
Through this partnership, the two brands hope to further their missions of promoting inclusivity in the running community. Together, they plan to encourage all people to run regardless of their level of skill, and appreciate an activity that is truly for everyone.