HIGHEST FIVE 2024 WRAP UP
Best of running in 2024
Hi fam,
here we go again and that’s definitely the last one for 2024. Really proud of myself because i managed to come to VOL.60 of Highest Five and tbh some of the newsletters have been the stuff i liked most in this year. Feels like way more “quality” each time than just posting on Instagram, seeing the likes and then it’s gone after a day or two. At least it feels like that. I love to have this space for mainly opinions but also for observations and sometimes even analyses of current stuff that’s going on.
What’s my favorite “thing” about running in 2024?
Tough one and not so tough, tbh. I think, personally i really like to be able to travel around the world for running. I didn’t leave Europe this year but i went to Paris, London, Chamonix, Berlin and several other cities in order to run or participate in running-related events. Berlin Marathon (not running tho) was a blessing for everyone involved and Frankfurt Marathon with the local homies might have been my personal favorite weekend.
I think we haven’t hit peak in running hype, we’ll see more collaborations (let’s hope to keep it a match and not make it too random, as we’ve seen it in lifestyle before), we’ll see more crazy hype for the big races (pls let’s not forget the grassroots family runs around everywhere), we’ll see even more “new brands”, some just in it for the fast merch cash, others here to stay with cool product and good ideas. We’ll see trail running being bigger than ever. I for myself want to “collab” more but what i mean is partner up with others more to create cool stuff, not meaning putting my logo on a product. I want to start having some more contributors, create something like a small content network in the running and outdoor sphere. If you are interested in that already , holla at me - chris@runnershighest.com.
I’ll definitely make some changes regarding Runners Highest but i’ll talk about this in the coming weeks - not now. :D
What have been my (product) hot picks for 2024 in running?
Let’s start with product. My favorite running product in 2024 is also a very recent discovery. Raide sent my their running belt LF 2L and all i can say (and ffs that’s no ad) it really solved a problem. Over the past years, i tried at least 3 or 4 running belts. All of them were ok… to hold my phone, my keys, some coins… but none of them was really able to keep a flask without bumping. For distances of 15-20k, i don’t want to always carry a bag, i just want to have my stuff, including a small cam, my phone and a flask (Raide holds 0,65l btw), maybe a jacket. And that’s where the LF 2L is your partner of choice, no more words needed.
Second one has become a pretty solid companion over the year and it’s the Apex Pro Vest 12L by Camelbak. 12L is nice and maybe even over-engineered or the up to 50km i run but not gonna lie, i loved taking the Apex for commuting as much as i used it on the trails. And it’s nice to have the space for some more stuff, you know!? More features i liked and i’m sure you do as well: first it has zippers in the side pockets. Nothing is worse than the urge to always check the “open” pockets for loose stuff. I’m the type of guy who looses his keys on the trails and running the whole route in reverse after finding out (too late). Next is the many cords to hold your flasks. I know, sounds a bit “small”, but in the end it’s in the details. My old vest was very bumpy with my flasks and that annoyed me like hell. The Apex has strong cords to adjust the flasks and nothing will bump. I promise.
Last one’s a shoe of course: For quite a while i was sure the New Balance Rebel v4 would be my clear favorite for 2024 but then the New Balance FF Balos bumped in my (running) life and changed everything. Where did it come from? What is it made for? I don’t know and i also think it’s a bit of the unloved brother NB doesn’t know what to do with, but it’s a shoe that definitely can do everything (similar for the Novablast 5 btw but i only ran 100k in those so far). I did short sightseeing runs, fast intervalls, hill sprints, long runs. Nothing to worry, energy return’s crazy and comfort is a 5/5. 100% would recommend to anyone.
Also i already wrote too much but both the Hoka x Satisfy collab and the “lifestyle” Tecton X2 have been some of the best releases of the past years. Love the colors, love the silhouettes. Hoka definitely stepped up their game in 2024!
Now we’re switching to some answers i got when i asked for “best in running” & “best running product”. Tbh i was a bit late and some didn’t manage to get answers back to me. Next year' we’ll be earlier and we’ll definitely have more female voices in there!
Julie Hyld (Hyld Studio, CPH):
1. What was your absolute running highlight in 2024? No matter if gear, race, event, personal experience, developement? „Best of running in 2024 OVERALL“
I have to say it’s been a year only filled with ups & downs, and for my own running probably more downs. I’ve delt with an achilles injury for 5 months and was in the best shape of my life before that.
For me my highlight is related to running fast, while I truly admire covering long distance, exploring new locations on feet and meeting up with friends in a random city to go for morning runs, I really enjoy pushing my own limits of fast. I’ve always been fascinated by limits and where they start and how to break them, so for me, being able to push on a 5k, 10k or 21k is really a powerfull feeling to me.
So as boring as it sounds, my own personal highlight was running 38.02 on the 10k!
2. What‘s your favorite running shoe this year? Why?
I think it has to be the Adidas Adios Pro 3, it given me PB’s on all distances and I’ve used it for multiple occasions…I’ve even run to a mountain in Switzerland, which it is really not suppose to do, and I have shoes far better for this than that one.. but it’s just been my travel and PB shoe. However, I am changing this now and keeping my carbon shoes for fast runs and races and doing everything also plateless…
Tom Austen (Chance Running; Overland Running Provisions)
1. What was your absolute running highlight in 2024? No matter if gear, race, event, personal experience, developement? „Best of running in 2024 OVERALL“
It's always difficult to look past UTMB as a highlight of the running calendar and this year in Chamonix was no different for me; I always leave completely pumped about where trail and ultra-running is at and just how wide and deep the sport goes—not just on the elite side but across the board. We threw an unsanctioned race with our friends @unsanctionedathletics which was such good fun and we're already working on ideas for 2025.
2. What‘s your favorite running shoe this year? Why?
Until I get my hands on a pair of the @nordarun 005, the shoe of the year for me was the On Cloudboom Strike—I picked up a pair in the Autumn for a big block of shorter, faster running and they were unbelievably good, the perfect half / marathon shoe I think.
Sophia Bolte (Salomon; Bold Running)
1. What was your absolute running highlight in 2024? No matter if gear, race, event, personal experience, developement? „Best of running in 2024 OVERALL“
- evolvement of running communities in general and seeing the common spirit —> Berlin Marathon as the running moment in Germany - TSP Europe - making TSP accessible for more runners. Running is an individual sport but TSP is a perfect example of creating team spirit, showing how much supporting each other means, sharing experiences - bold. running club - stepping up the community game and challenge the running scene in (bold) style. building a space for friendships, connections, and making memories. Creating value and norms for the community. Encouraging people to stand up for themselves, to be be bold because well, you only live once. - Seeing smaller brands attack the market lika Unna, Soar etc. - One of the coolest campaigns: Bandit Running introducing their Chicago 2024 capsule (and their winter 2024 shooting in Iceland)
2. What‘s your favorite running shoe this year? Why?
Salomon S/Lab Spectur (duhh). a shoe for truly anyone. more of a pace maker shoe for elite but full on race shoe for amateurs. great fit, cool style, longlasting. sweet price point for a carbon shoe.
Moritz Fischer (APR Mag)
1. What was your absolute running highlight in 2024? No matter if gear, race, event, personal experience, developement? „Best of running in 2024 OVERALL“
My running moment 2024 is clearly a very personal one - 100% it’s the whole Community Clubhouse activation in Berlin (we did for New Balance around Berlin Marathon 2024).
2. What‘s your favorite running shoe this year? Why?
New Balance Fresh Foam More v5 - haven’t done more miles in any other shoe in 2024!
Ali Wilkinson (New Balance)
1. What was your absolute running highlight in 2024? No matter if gear, race, event, personal experience, developement? „Best of running in 2024 OVERALL“
My absolute highlight of 2024 has to be Berlin Marathon. The energy around the city was incredible. Getting together every morning for a run from the NB Community Clubhouse was like a family reunion. Really special memories.
2. What‘s your favorite running shoe this year? Why?
My favourite running shoe of the year is the NB 1080v14 because I ran NYCM in them and we were best friends. I’ll leave carbon to the highflyers; these workhorses dragged me round and kept me fresh. That day will forever be a beautiful blur in my mind. We got it done!
I just ran my last run of the year in the Balos. I don’t really know what they are exactly for, but they are fun!
Also, thanks for mentioning the Raide Belt. Based on my research this is probably the best belt out there and also by far the most expensive. I guess I have to get it now. :)
Thanks for the writeup!