The year was 2014. I was a newish graduate and had recently moved to West London where I spotted a sign for a local 10km running race.
Maybe it’s worth a crack, I thought. It basically runs past my house.
Without giving it much thought, I signed up to the race and showed up on the Sunday in an old T-shirt, a pair of leggings from Primark and whatever running shoes I could find.
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Amazingly, the race didn’t go too badly, and my decade-long love of running was born.
Fast forward 11 years and the world couldn’t be more different.
Whether I’m talking about the cushioned mid-soles of my trainers, the sweat-wicking fabric on my T-shirt or the handy hidden phone pocket in my running shorts, the worlds of fashion and running have never been more inter-connected.
And there’s one brand coming to the forefront more than ever in this space: lululemon.
The lululemon Clubhouse
I recently had the privilege of being a guest of lululemon on the Gold Coast, where the Canadian athleisure brand sponsored the Gold Coast Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km running events during the first weekend in July.
The “lululemon Clubhouse” at the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise was the perfect encapsulation of how running became cool.
From “shakeout” runs with hundreds of runners ahead of the races to mindfulness sessions, post-race rooftop and re-fuel celebrations and even a live podcast with some of the country’s biggest running stars, everything about the weekend was uplifting, cool and (of course) emblazoned with lululemon’s signature Canadian aesthetic.
Thousands of runners from Australia and further afield all gathered to discuss PBs, segments and shoes.
And I couldn’t get enough of the buzz of feeling like this was a real community event — designed by runners for runners.
What did I wear?
Speak to anyone who knows anything about the sport and they’ll tell you that one of the main reasons why running has become cool in recent years is thanks to a direct appeal to women by some of the major sports brands.
Not only do we want something that works well when we race (think carbon-plated shoes, breathable fabrics and comfortable, supportive bras), but we also want something that looks nice and makes us feel good.
Enter lululemon.
In my humble opinion, the brand offers some of the most performance-enhancing-but-still-stylish activewear you can buy.
And I, along with thousands of other women, am willing to pay for something that is good quality and which delivers in both areas.
Ahead of the race, lululemon kindly gave me the opportunity to test-drive some of their best products, before kitting me out in a race-day outfit and recovery look of my choice.
After lengthy testing, I landed on the Fast and Free Shorts with a 6” Pocket ($89) in black, the Go Further Bra ($119) and the Swiftly Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt 2.0 ($89) for the race itself, as well as the Beyond Feel Running Shoes ($249) on my feet.
All of these items were not only comfortable but looked great for any post-race pics too.
A particular shoutout needs to go to the bra, which has to be one of the most comfortable I have ever worn.
I am also now a religious devotee of the Fast and Free Shorts — which I reach for for every run session, easy run and long run.
With the perfect-sized side pocket for your phone, a super-tight waistband that is neither uncomfortable nor too baggy and complete weightless coverage, I love the fabric of these particular shorts.
It also dries super quickly if you get sweaty on a run and doesn’t ride up when you’re running, so you’re left exposing too much leg.
The rise of running
The explosion in running and running-related items, whether that’s fashion or tourism, has been massive, and it’s only getting bigger.
More than 1.1 million have entered the ballot for the 2026 London Marathon, which is a world record and more than double the figure from two years ago.
Here at home in Australia, the TCS Sydney Marathon has finally been deemed a World Marathon Major, meaning there has never been a better time to pick up the free and easily accessible sport.
Below, Best Picks shares the top buys to inspire you to hit the pavement for one of the upcoming winter races.
See you on the start line for City to Surf.
The ultimate race day outfit
Fast and Free Shorts with a 6” Pocket ($89)
