New Balance and Strava launch pub for marathon runners

The only currency accepted at the Runaway, at 64-68 Charing Cross Road, central London, is miles logged on Strava in preparation for a spring marathon.

Strava and New Balance have launched four challenges focused around marathon training milestones, with participants entitled to a number of drinks depending on their progress with each. 

Runners joining a Strava challenge – the first of which went live on 18 February – will receive a Runaway card that will automatically tally miles they’ve run and be used to purchase pints at the Runaway.

While customers will find a fully operational pub at the Runaway’s central London location, anyone feeling pre or post-pint guilt can drop into the venue’s downstairs gym, which features a weights area.

Escape and reward

The Runway is part of New Balance Everybody’s Race​ campaign, which supports marathon runners through their training

New Balance UK & Ireland senior marketing manager Samantha Matthews explained: “We’re excited to open our very first New Balance pub and look forward to welcoming runners to the bar to exchange their miles for pints.

“The Runaway pub brings our Everybody’s Race​ campaign to life and aims to empower runners throughout their weeks of training, offering an escape and reward when needed and a hub for the running community to come together and support each other.”

Ahead of last year’s London Marathon on Sunday 21 April, The Morning Advertiser ​mapped which pubs lined the capital’s famous 26.2-mile course.​