“All roads lead to Rome,” says the old adage: timeless, yet still resonant today. This past weekend, those very roads were run by adidas Runners community leaders from across the world, each one arriving in the heart of Italy to share a vision rooted in the modern identity of the three stripes, but reaching far beyond it: running as belonging, as social connection, as a path to personal growth, and as a universal language.

Ahead of a special talk we hosted with the Runners Of Rome, celebrating their 10th anniversary and the AR universe, we sat down with some of the key adidas Runners  figures to dive into their personal journeys and unpack the philosophy behind this revolutionary project: one that connects runners, from beginners to veterans, not just within individual cities, but across borders and cultures. What emerged was a mosaic of stories—yes, about running—but more deeply about the highest and most vital value this sport can offer today: its unique ability to build bridges between people and places, and to empower anyone who approaches it the AR way.

Joining the conversation: Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin captain, David Martínez – AR Paris captain, Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb captain and Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens captain. 

How did running become a part of your life? What made you fall in love with this sport and create such a strong bond with it?

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “Running entered my life early on: both of my parents were runners and triathletes, regularly competing in marathons. For them, running wasn’t just a sport, it was part of their lifestyle. Naturally, it became part of mine, too. I remember one day when I was around 17, studying for school, they suggested I take a break and go for a run with them. That’s how it started: as something we did together as a family. Even during vacations, we’d go running. Eventually, running became a solo practice for me. I’d go out on my own, using it as a way to connect with myself. But everything shifted when a friend introduced me to adidas Runners. That’s when I experienced running from an entirely new perspective. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about my pace, my distance, or my routine, it became a shared journey. Running with a community revealed different sides of myself, and helped me understand what this sport could really mean.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “I started running after I moved from Colombia to France, about 12 years ago. At first, walking was my way of exploring the city: I love feeling connected to the places I live in. But then I realized I could run a little… and then a little more… and it slowly became a new way of discovering my surroundings. Running gave me a sense of progress: ‘I’m getting better at this.’ That feeling was powerful. And when, back in 2015, I discovered that running could also be done as a group activity, something clicked. It became not just a habit or a sport, but a fundamental part of my life.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “I was born and raised in a very small town in the Slavonia region, Croatia, and when I was a teenager, no one was really running. But I felt this urge to move, to be active, so I started going for short runs: just 20 minutes, nothing serious. I had previously played volleyball, but I never really connected with it. Training sessions felt unproductive, so I quit and started running a few times a week. It was simple, but it made me feel good. Later, when I moved to Zagreb for university, I started running more regularly. There’s a big lake in the city with a beautiful 7km loop, perfect for longer runs. We even hold our adidas Runners training sessions there now. That’s when running really became part of my routine. In 2017, my boyfriend began working as a coach for adidas Runners Zagreb. He encouraged me to join, and I did: slowly increasing my distances and involvement. At first, running was just my personal escape. I didn’t want to be part of a team or talk to people. It was just my time. But over time, that started to change.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “It’s not the usual story: I used to hate running. As a volleyball player, I never did long-distance runs, just short sprints during training. So when I started studying sports science, I had zero endurance. In my first year, we had to run 800m for a fitness test. I felt dizzy all day after it and thought: “Running’s not for me.” During the pandemic, I tried again, but I couldn’t get past 5K without feeling wrecked for days. Again, I gave up. Then I joined adidas Runners Athens as a strength coach, not a runner. My classes were indoors, so I’d teach and leave without running. But since all coaches were encouraged to race, I signed up for a 5K. Then a 10K. After finishing it, I thought: If I can do this without training… what if I actually trained? When our base closed and we moved outdoors, I started running with the team before my classes. Bit by bit, I got stronger, and started enjoying it. I filled in for running coaches when needed and eventually became one myself. Now I run 5–6 times a week. I’ve done my first half marathon, and my first full marathon is just weeks away. For me, it’s proof that starting from zero is possible. With consistency, curiosity, and love for the process… progress comes. You just have to keep showing up.”

When did the collective aspect of running enter your world? And how has sharing this sport with others impacted you — both as an athlete and as a person?

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “Running in a group—running in a pack—taught me that this sport is deeply emotional. I even have it tattooed: I’m an emotional runner. Running brings joy, fun, and the satisfaction of proving to yourself that you can do hard things. You set your own boundaries, and you’re the one who breaks through them. But it’s also raw, intense, and at times, confronting. There are moments when running holds a mirror up to your face. And sometimes, you don’t want to look. But when you hit that wall and keep going, when you look into that mirror and keep running anyway, you discover something deeper about yourself. You meet the version of you that’s tired, vulnerable, maybe even uncomfortable. But then you push through. And what comes after that moment? That’s where the real beauty lies. I believe there’s profound self-growth in running. And even more so when you do it with others: when you’re supported, seen, and reminded by those around you of what’s possible. There’s a power that takes your personal journey to a whole new level.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “Joining a community pushed me to become better: not just as an athlete, but as a person. I’m not the fastest. I love long distances, marathons, ultramarathons… but more than performance, what drives me is purpose. As a captain, I see the impact we can have on others through sport. I’m just a regular person: by profession, I’m a professor. And that’s part of what makes the experience meaningful: if I can do it, so can you. Sharing this with others makes it relatable, human. And over time, it’s taught me a lot about resilience, about working together towards a goal. There’s something beautiful in the bridge between being a professor and being an AR captain: in both roles, people look to you for guidance, for energy, for leadership. In teaching, my students expect me to be an authority on my subject: geopolitics. In running, the expectations are different, but just as real. People want to know: ‘Is this training plan realistic? Should I use these shoes or that gel? Does this technique work?’ And I believe, as a leader, your credibility comes from experience. You can’t just talk, you have to run the talk. That’s how trust is built.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “Before joining AR, I was quite an introverted person. I wouldn’t speak up in groups or start conversations. But being part of this community helped me open up: now, when I’m in a new group, I don’t hesitate to connect with people. That’s been a huge personal shift for me. It’s also one of the first things I tell new members, especially those who travel often. If you’re going to a city for work, you don’t even need to know anyone: just open the adidas Running app, find a training session, and join. It’s free, and you’re instantly part of the community. That’s what I love most: you can run anywhere, anytime, and still feel at home. Running alone is great too, but when you’re with a group, it’s different. The kilometers pass faster. Conversations help you forget about pace or distance. Honestly, I wouldn’t have completed half my trainings, or reached this level, if I had been doing it on my own. The people around me have played a huge role in my progress.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “Running was something individual for me, not something to be shared. But when I joined adidas Runners, everything changed. I realized that running can absolutely be a team sport, and that discovery was huge for me. With the community, I found a whole new joy in running: sharing progress, insecurities, laughs, even setbacks. And when you’re running with company, it’s just better, much better. You realize how much we all relate to one another. If I’m afraid of something, chances are someone else is too. We give each other strength. And we have fun. I’m loud, I run with speakers… Of course, some people like to run solo from time to time, even during long runs. But when you experience running with a team, there’s a magic to it that’s hard to replace.”

In this journey of deepening your relationship with running, what role has adidas played? And what does it mean to you to be part of the adidas Runners community?

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “Joining the adidas Runners community completely transformed my running journey. It became deeply meaningful to connect with people on this level, it’s something truly unique. Training together for a race, even if we don’t run side by side during the event, creates a strong bond. We’ve prepared for the same moment, faced the same challenges, and celebrated each other’s victories. There’s a shared story behind every finish line. Being a captain, though, is an interesting experience. Just because the word captain is printed on my shirt, people start to believe in what I say. That comes with power, and a lot of responsibility. But what I love most is using that platform to tell people, I believe in you. And because of that simple statement, they start to believe in themselves. That’s the most beautiful part of being a captain: watching people discover what they’re capable of.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “I feel incredibly lucky to be part of adidas Runners because I genuinely identify with the values the brand promotes. It may sound like a cliché when people say, ‘I see myself represented,’ but for me, it’s real. I’m 35 now. I grew up in a time and place where I didn’t see people like me reflected in sports or marketing campaigns. With adidas, it’s different. Since day one, they’ve acknowledged and celebrated diversity: not just through me, but through the professional athletes they choose to support. And that sense of belonging really matters. I feel seen not just as a commercial figure, but as a human being. I’m not breaking records, I’m not famous, but they know me. They understand what I bring to the table. And that human approach to both sport and storytelling… it’s powerful. At the end of the day, being seen, not just for your performance, but for who you are, is everything. And adidas does that. That’s what stays with me.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “It’s been a long and meaningful journey. Today, I’m a captain, but I started out as just another runner. At first, I was hesitant: my boyfriend invited me to join, and I remember thinking, ‘No way. I don’t want to run in a group. That’s my time, I want to be alone.’ But I eventually gave it a try. Frane, who was our captain at the time, noticed my progress and invited me to become a crew runner after I started training with some of the faster groups. From there, I became a coach. And eventually, I stepped into the role of captain. I didn’t just land here: I grew into it. I’ve been through every level of the adidas Runners journey, and I’m really grateful for that. It gave me a deep understanding of the community and the sport, and I still enjoy every part of it.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “Honestly? It feels like a dream. Everything started with a simple Instagram message asking if I’d be interested in joining the team. I went to the interview, and the next day I was in. That moment changed my life. Thanks to adidas, I’ve visited places I never thought I’d see. I’ve met people from all over the world. And what we have is more than a team: it’s a family. Adidas Runners inspired me to reshape my whole life. I changed my work schedule. I left behind things that no longer brought me joy. Because in this community, I found myself. I found purpose. And I feel deeply grateful for that. Sometimes I think: maybe this role was just waiting for me all along.”

Looking at current trends, do you think ‘fast running’ or ‘social running’ will dominate the next decade? And how are younger generations approaching running differently from 10 – 15 years ago?

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “I don’t believe it has to be either fast or social. To me, these two aren’t in opposition, they go hand in hand. You can’t run fast without running socially at some point, and a social run can absolutely be fast for someone. Both have value. Both deserve space. And it’s beautiful that they coexist. What I hope for, as running continues to evolve, is that we learn to appreciate it in its purest form: whatever that means for each person. Lately, it feels like everything has to be bigger, better, more extreme. If you run, people expect you to race. ‘You haven’t done a half marathon yet? Look at Instagram, everyone’s doing it!’ Honestly? That’s nonsense. You don’t have to race to call yourself a runner. If you run, even once every six months, you’re a runner. No matter your pace, your distance, your frequency. I hope we can get back to the essence of running: putting one foot in front of the other. Connecting with yourself, or with others. That’s enough. So yes, fast running can be social. And social running can include fast runners. I don’t care what pace you’re at: what matters is that you’re out there. We should celebrate all forms of running, and all runners.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “I have a feeling that the peak of the ‘fast’ era may already be behind us. To truly connect with younger generations, especially Gen Z, we need to start by giving them a sense of belonging. They already know they can go fast; speed isn’t the main driver for them. What they’re looking for is something deeper: how can I challenge myself? How can I express who I am through sport? As a teacher, I see this shift firsthand. My students are genuinely curious and excited about joining the running community. They’ll ask, ‘Can we come run with your group?’ And I always say yes. Will they stay? That depends. They try a race, a new pair of shoes, a fun event, a trend… but the key question is: will this experience make them want to stay for the long haul? Younger generations have completely redefined what it means to be ‘cool.’ It’s no longer about parties or rebellion: it’s about pushing your limits. Triathlons. Signing up for your first marathon at 20. Doing something meaningful with your body and your mind. What excites me is how these young runners are embracing community. That wasn’t really a thing for my generation, and now it’s central. Running feels accessible to them, and they’re not just showing up to compete, but to connect. And these are the future captains, future coaches, future leaders of our running communities. There’s been talk of the running world slowing down, of interest declining—but I don’t see it that way. I think we’ve entered a new phase. We’re evolving. We just need to keep innovating and ask ourselves: which trends will stand the test of time? Projects like adidas Runners, where you can land in any city and instantly find your people, are exactly the kind of global, future-proof model we need. That’s where I believe the true potential lies.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “That’s a big question, and honestly, it’s a bit of a challenge at the moment: especially with Gen Z. In Zagreb, there are new running groups emerging: some go for a short 3km jog and then head out for drinks or coffee. That’s fun, and it appeals to many young people. But a lot of them don’t know the wider running community exists. We’re trying to reach them, but it takes time. Even after nearly nine years of adidas Runners Zagreb, people still ask, “Wait, it’s free? You organize races? You give away bibs?” Yes, we do all that, and we keep creating new challenges. It’s a constant cycle: new people come in, and we introduce them to the community all over again. Zagreb is a student city: Croatia is very centralized, so students from across the country come here to study. There’s a lot of potential, and we just need to find ways to connect with them. Personally, I love fast running and I train seriously. But I also believe that without social running, we wouldn’t survive as a community. That’s why adidas Runners’ motto—“Every pace has a place”—is so important. Fast runners will always come and go, but the foundation of this crew is inclusivity. Even I, as someone who races, need slower days: easy runs, recovery runs, no pressure. That’s why our sessions always include different pace groups.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “That’s a great question, because the landscape is changing so fast. Trends come and go, and you have to adapt. Right now, I think we’re seeing a shift toward balance. Sure, deep down, everyone wants to perform well in races. That will never fully go away. But today, it’s also about enjoying the run. Gen Z especially values the social side: they love the community, the post-run hangouts, the relaxed vibe. But interestingly, many of them still show up to our interval sessions. So even if they don’t say it, there’s a desire to be better, faster. I think the future will hold a great mix: we’ll celebrate both performance and joy, without pressure. And that’s healthy. You don’t need to constantly push yourself to extremes. We support our members whether they want to race, recover, or just enjoy a run with friends. Funny enough, sometimes it’s the older runners who are more performance-driven: they’re consistent, disciplined, and focused… And that blend across generations is beautiful. It keeps the community dynamic.”

What’s in your opinion the biggest untapped opportunity for running communities worldwide? 

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “Sometimes, when you’re deep inside a running community, fully immersed in it, it’s easy to forget how it looks from the outside. We think we’re open and welcoming. We say: ‘Everyone has a place here.’ And we genuinely believe that. But from the outside, that’s not always how it feels. For someone completely new to running, or to joining a group, it can be intimidating. They might think: ‘These people already know each other. They already know what they’re doing. I don’t belong here.’ So while our intentions are good, and we want to be inclusive, we need to make sure we’re actually living that message. Saying you’re open doesn’t automatically make you approachable. I think the biggest untapped opportunity for running communities is to open up even more. Not just in words: but in real, visible actions. To truly make space for those who don’t yet feel like they belong.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “That’s a tough one, because even as a mature and experienced community, we constantly ask ourselves: what are we missing? Where can we still grow? I believe we’ve reached a kind of cycle in running. We’ve gone big on performance: fastest, farthest, strongest. But now we need to look at what was left behind on that climb. It’s time to revisit the basics. The heart of what brought people into running in the first place. Grassroots energy. The desire to belong. The simple joy of moving through a city together. Yes, we’ve made incredible progress in terms of representation—female athletes, LGBTQ+ runners, runners of color—and we should be proud of that. But in that race toward inclusivity and excellence, we may have overlooked the quiet voice saying: I just want to feel like I belong. That’s the foundation we started from. And I think the next big opportunity is to go back to that, with new strategies and fresh creativity, while continuing to evolve with a rapidly changing ecosystem. Going fast is exciting. Breaking barriers is powerful. But building sustainable, welcoming spaces? That’s what will carry us forward.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “One of the biggest opportunities, I think, lies in collaboration. For a long time, many communities had a kind of closed mindset. But that doesn’t work anymore. If we want to grow, we need to collaborate: with other communities, other movements, and even across different sports or cultures. That’s something we’re focusing on more this year. We’ve realized that collaboration doesn’t dilute your identity: it actually strengthens it. It helps you reach new people and show them what your community is all about. Most importantly, it fosters inclusivity. Just because someone belongs to a different community doesn’t mean they can’t join yours. Running should connect us, not divide us.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “I believe there are many untapped opportunities: we just have to be bold enough to identify and pursue them. Especially when we look at younger generations, there’s a shift in how they see running. In Greece, for example, we’re noticing a huge rise in interest, but it comes with different expectations, more freedom, more expression. The next wave of growth will come from the empty spaces we’ve yet to fill. Whether it’s rethinking how we welcome new runners, or how we bridge social and performance aspects, the potential is there.”

What emotions run through you when facing an event like the Rome Half Marathon — where the course itself speaks of history, culture, and beauty? 

Lynn Maleen – AR Berlin Captain: “I feel deeply honored to be here. I’ve been recovering from a significant injury, so this will be my longest run in quite a while, and I’m genuinely excited. And if I had to pick a place for such a meaningful milestone, Rome feels perfect. This race isn’t about chasing a personal best. It’s about being present. About soaking in the city, its architecture, its energy, its history. I want to take it all in.”

David Martínez – AR Paris Captain: “I’m genuinely excited. This is my first time back in Rome in 10 years. I was here in 2015, but I wasn’t a committed runner yet. Back then, I explored the city on foot. Now I get to rediscover it through running, which, for me, is the most intimate way to connect with a place. When you run, you move faster than a pedestrian, but slow enough to absorb the energy of the city: the soul, the atmosphere, the rhythm. Rome is filled with it. It holds centuries of history between its cobblestones. I feel lucky to be part of that, even for a few hours. Finishing at the Colosseum? That’s not something you experience every day. Most people associate marathons with Greece, because of the legend of Marathon. But let’s not forget: Rome was the cradle of Western civilization. At one point, it was the center of the world. Running through it is both humbling and powerful.”

Ana Mitrović – AR Zagreb Captain: “Rome is incredibly emotional for me. I first visited last year with my husband for our wedding anniversary, so just being back here brings up beautiful memories. This time, it’s extra special. I gave birth 10 months ago, and this race marks my first half marathon since then. It’s also the first time I’ve traveled without my baby, which adds a whole other emotional layer to the experience. My husband couldn’t come because he’s racing elsewhere, so I’m here alone, but I still feel deeply connected to the moment. The city itself is so symbolic—The Eternal City—and being able to run through it with this community is something I truly cherish. There’s a mix of excitement, gratitude, and emotion.”

Artemis Koutsouri – AR Athens Captain: “Honestly, it feels like a true blessing. Running through a city like Rome—with its layers of history, its architecture, its energy—feels sacred. I’ve visited Rome twice before, but this time was different. We went for a 7K run this morning, and with the streets quiet, it was like seeing the city through an entirely new lens. It was magical. So to imagine running 21 kilometers through that same setting, surrounded by fellow runners, people cheering… I know I’ll be in awe the entire time. I feel lucky, grateful, and excited.”

adidas Runners is a value-based global community coming together through the love for running. With 75 communities to date, adidas Runners is one of the biggest global running communities in the world creating a true dialogue and interaction with people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and genders, based on the adidas runners values, while providing a meaningful contribution to people’s lives and the culture of running.  Find out more here: https://www.adidas.com/us/adidasrunners/