Before the 2024 Berlin Marathon I headed down to the Tracksmith pop-up store for their Saturday shakeout run. Usually, well, up until 2023 I would always run in the big organised 5k shakeout runs, such as the Generali 5k or the BAA 5k / Abbott Dash to the Finisher, Chicago 5k… you get the picture. You pay $40, $50 to run a 5k, get a medal or beanie and be on your way.

Since Boston 2023 I have stopped running those big events, I just can’t justify paying so much money to run a 5k and not even be racing it, its just a slow shakeout run. So in Boston 2023 I ran a New Balance shakeout and the Demoor Global Running shakeout runs, all free to take part. Again in Boston 2024 I joined a couple of brands for their shakeouts, Tracksmith and Run Rabbit again free to join.

I really enjoyed running the influencer or brand shakeouts. Yes, they are free which is a big plus but they also bring together a community of like minded runners. Runners sharing the same passion not just for running but brought together with our love for the brand or following of an influencer.

I met many people at the Tracksmith and Rabbit Boston runs where conversations were sparked off an item of clothing or shoe we were wearing. Talking about and sharing our love for the product but then quickly moving on to how we got here, why we are running, past and future adventures.

These conversations continue out on the 2 or 3 mile run, always held at a very easy conversational pace with stops for lights or traffic. No considerations given to pausing the watch or being first back tot he track house. “There is no prize for winning the shakeout run”.

Tracksmith Berlin Shakeout Run – Sat 28th September:

Tracksmith had a pop-up store in town, just a few stops on the metro and right outside a metro stop and conveniently for me, smack bang in the middle of the walk from my hotel to the expo. I have a slight fear of crowded trains after collapsing on the metro after the Boston Marathon 2024.

I was sure how many people would be turning up for the Berlin Shakeout, I didn’t know how popular Tracksmith would be in Berlin having seen the huge numbers who turned up in Boston.

Kinda goes without saying, there were a heck of a lot of people here for the shakeout in Berlin such is the appeal and popularity of Tracksmith now.

Just like in Boston they offer bag drop but in the back of a truck around the corner. It did make me laugh that we all willingly loaded our bags into the back of a random truck and trustingly walked off back to the store front.

Pre-run I got chatting to a guy from Boston who helped Tracksmith with pacing some of their Boston 2024 training runs over the winter. Like I said, you get chatting to random strangers all sharing great stories and experiences.

Amrit from the London Track House was leading today’s run and the pop-up store in general. Armit is a great guy and personality. I have had the pleasure of chatting all things running with him a number of times of the years and we always share some good and funny stories and tales.

The run itself was a 3 mile, very easy paced loop around the local Berlin area. Down a few roads, not too busy but some traffic to watch out for but then we ran along the canal front which was looking beautiful in the early autumn sun.

Once back at the store they had Maurten Solid 160 bars, bananas and bottles of water to refuel before the store opened up at 10.