ANYWHERE IS FINE ARC club trainers running on the beach (Asics Philippines)

Running is beneficial for the mind, body, and soul. Making that all-important step from your house onto the tarmac, however, can be daunting, especially after being under house arrest for the longest time due to the pandemic.

It’s a universally known fact that running is one of the best calorie-blasting workouts. And it’s free. There’s literally no downside to it.

RUNNER'S SANCTUARY Facade of the new Asics branch in Glorietta, at the evening launch mid-April

There are so many reasons to go jogging or sprinting, from hundreds of health benefits to meeting new people on the streets. That said, we don’t really run to add days to our lives, we run to add life to our days.

Whether you’re experienced or a fledgling runner, or have just started planning to take a run, there’s new motivation to get into the physical activity. Japanese sportswear label Asics has just set up its biggest flagship store in Southeast Asia in the Philippines on the ground floor of Glorietta 2, Makati.

SASHAY AND SLAY Beauty queen Gazini Granados

Sprawled on 457 square meters, the space is home to myriad performance run, core performance sports, and sport-style footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Apart from the usual catalog, the latest spring-summer 2023 collection (SS23) is also available here, headlined by the GEL-NIMBUS 25, marketed as “the most comfortable running shoes.” It features PureGel technology strategically integrated into the midsole to deliver enhanced shock absorption and smoother transitions, enabling the softest landings to date.

PUMPED UP KICKS The GT2000 11TR

Other SS23 highlights are the GT 2000 11 TR, METASPEED+, and the GEL-CUMULUS 25 for the running category. Must-haves for the sport style section, meanwhile, are the EX89, Cutting Room, and the GEL-NYC from the Nagino collection. Other mono-store exclusive items are set to arrive this quarter.

Aside from the vast selection of athletic gear, the branch also flaunts a 3D foot ID scanner, equipped with an advanced 3D foot mapping system that analyzes feet and running style on a personal level. It is a sureproof guide for shoppers to find the right pair of running shoes.

RUN THIS WAY Tennis shoes segment of the Glorietta branch

Coinciding with the launch of the concept store was the introduction of the Asics Running Club (ARC). As the name implies, it is an inclusive running group for those interested in running.

The organization, led by coaches Precious Que and Jasper Tanhueco, welcomes seasoned and casual runners to join “ARC sessions” every Wednesday at the Bonifacio branch, as well as the last Sunday of each month at the Glorietta branch.

RUN MASTERS ARC coaches inside the Glorietta store

ARC members get to enjoy perks like access to the Glorietta store’s locker rooms and shower area, special vouchers for limited-edition merchandise, and exclusive invites to events.

RUN FASTER Gel Nimbus 25

Members of the club are also automatically members of the OneASICS Loyalty Program, which is soon to launch. The program allows patrons to accumulate points with every purchase and redeem points for members-only benefits like birthday bonuses and early access to sales.

Those interested to be part of ARC can message Asic’s social media accounts. facebook.com/ASICSPhilippines| @asicsph.