30km for GY30 — Running Together Around Bristol Harbourside with New Balance
On Tuesday, the Bristol running community came together at Kinisi Run Hub for a special afternoon of running, community and connection.
We were joined by Chris from Give Yourself 30 (GY30), who took on an impressive challenge of running 30 kilometres around Bristol Harbourside, completing six 5km laps starting and finishing at the shop.
Alongside the challenge, we were delighted to welcome New Balance, who brought along two of their popular running shoes for participants to try: the New Balance 1080v15 and New Balance SuperComp Rebel.
It was a brilliant opportunity to support Chris, bring runners together and remind ourselves why running is about so much more than simply covering miles.
Introducing Give Yourself 30
At the heart of the event was Chris and his Give Yourself 30 initiative, which encourages people to make time for themselves, get moving and experience the benefits that physical activity can bring.
The message behind GY30 is simple but important: finding time in our busy lives to look after ourselves, both physically and mentally.
Whether that's heading out for a run, going for a walk or simply spending some time outdoors, making movement part of our routines can have a positive impact on our wellbeing.
Chris has been using running and endurance challenges to help spread that message and encourage others to get involved.
And his latest challenge was certainly no small undertaking.
200km in a Week — Including 30km at Kinisi Run Hub!
As part of an ambitious challenge to run 200 kilometres in just one week, Chris joined us at Kinisi Run Hub for a 30km afternoon around the Bristol Harbourside.
The format was simple: six laps of a 5km route, with each lap starting and finishing at the shop.
The looped format meant runners could join Chris for as much or as little of the challenge as they wanted.
For some, that might mean a single 5km lap. For others, it was an opportunity to complete multiple laps and help Chris work towards his overall target.
It wasn't about who could run the fastest or furthest. It was about getting involved, supporting Chris and sharing a few miles with others.
Having the shop as the central meeting point also meant runners could come and go throughout the afternoon, making the challenge accessible to people with different schedules, abilities and running goals.
New Balance Joins the Challenge
We were also delighted to have New Balance join us for the afternoon, bringing along two different running shoes for participants to demo.
Having the opportunity to run in a shoe before buying it is something we always encourage at Kinisi Run Hub, and events like this are the perfect way to experience different models in a real running environment.
On this occasion, runners could choose between the New Balance 1080v15 and New Balance SuperComp Rebel — two neutral running shoes designed to deliver quite different experiences.
New Balance 1080v15 — Everyday Comfort and Cushioning
The New Balance 1080v15 is one of the brand's flagship everyday running shoes, designed to deliver a comfortable, cushioned and smooth ride.
This latest version introduces New Balance's Infinion foam, a supercritical midsole material designed to provide a responsive feel while maintaining the comfort that has made the 1080 range so popular.
Infinion Cushioning
The 1080v15's Infinion midsole offers a combination of cushioning and energy return, making it a versatile option for regular training.
It provides plenty of protection underfoot for everyday mileage while retaining a more energetic feeling than runners might expect from a highly cushioned daily trainer.
Built for Everyday Running
The 1080v15 is particularly well suited to runners looking for a comfortable shoe for:
- Easy and steady training runs
- Longer everyday mileage
- Recovery running
- Runners who prioritise cushioning and comfort
For participants looking to enjoy a relaxed lap or settle into a comfortable rhythm around the Harbourside, the 1080 offered an interesting option to experience.
New Balance SC Rebel — Plated Performance for Everyday Training
For runners looking for something faster and more energetic, New Balance also brought along the SuperComp Rebel (SC Rebel).
Unlike the standard FuelCell Rebel, the SC Rebel is a plated performance trainer, designed to bring some of the technology and propulsion associated with racing shoes into everyday training.
It combines lightweight construction, responsive cushioning and a propulsion plate to create a lively running experience.
Infinion Foam — Responsive Cushioning
The SC Rebel features New Balance's Infinion midsole foam, designed to deliver cushioning, energy return and long-lasting performance.
This helps create an energetic feeling underfoot, making the shoe particularly appealing for runners who enjoy faster training sessions without sacrificing cushioning.
Propulsion Plate and Rocker Geometry
One of the SC Rebel's standout features is its precision-engineered propulsion plate.
Working alongside the shoe's rocker geometry, the plate helps create a propulsive sensation and smooth, quick transitions through the stride.
This makes the SC Rebel an interesting option for tempo runs, intervals, progression sessions and faster everyday mileage.
Lightweight Performance
Despite its substantial cushioning and plated construction, the SC Rebel remains impressively lightweight, weighing approximately 222g for the men's model.
With a 4mm heel-to-toe drop and a secure FantomFit upper, it combines performance-focused technology with a design intended for regular training.
For Tuesday's event, it offered runners a great opportunity to experience a plated performance shoe alongside the more traditionally cushioned New Balance 1080v15.
Although it was fantastic to have New Balance joining us, the most important part of Tuesday's event was supporting Chris and the message behind Give Yourself 30.
At Kinisi Run Hub, we believe running is about far more than times, distances and race results.
It's about community, wellbeing, challenging ourselves and creating opportunities for people to get involved.
Chris's challenge brought all of those things together.
The six-lap format meant people could participate in a way that worked for them, whether that was running 5km, 10km or joining Chris for a longer stretch.
And that's something we really value — making running welcoming and accessible while giving people a reason to come together.
Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us!
A huge thank you to Chris from Give Yourself 30 for bringing his challenge to Kinisi Run Hub and allowing us to be part of his 200km week.
We'd also like to thank New Balance for coming along and providing the demo shoes, giving runners the chance to experience the 1080v15 and SC Rebel out on the Harbourside.
And, of course, thank you to everyone who came down to support Chris, joined him for a lap or helped make the afternoon such a positive community event.
It's afternoons like this that remind us why we love being part of Bristol's running community.
Discover New Balance at Kinisi Run Hub
If you missed the event but are interested in trying the New Balance range, we stock a variety of models at Kinisi Run Hub.
Our team can help you compare the shoes and find the right option for your individual running needs, whether you're looking for a cushioned everyday trainer or something lighter and more energetic.
You can also book a Movement Analysis appointment, where we'll take the time to understand your running, how you move and what you're looking for from your footwear.
And if you're involved with a local running club, group or community initiative and would like to collaborate with Kinisi Run Hub on a future event, we'd love to hear from you.
Here's to more running, more community and making time to Give Yourself 30!