We all know by now that running has become the latest status symbol. What used to be reserved for race day; the shoes, the kit, is now fair game for zone 2 jogs… to the pub. It’s easy to be sceptical of a sport that’s become the go-to identity for the post-Covid crowd but now and then, a brand slips through the widened cracks and grabs our attention, positively. The latest one to do just that is MILER RUNNING.
Born on the streets of New York, MILER RUNNING has been quietly earning respect from proper runners and design heads alike. You won’t find any shouty ‘run fast’ colours here – and there’s no corner-cutting when it comes to the details either. What you will find is premium fabric, sharp silhouettes, and a clear sense of intent. For us, it’s the minimalism, adaptability, and thoughtful, artisanal approach to performance running gear that made us want to dig a bit deeper into the man behind the brand, Ben Morrow…
Hey Ben, how are you and where are you at the moment? Could you also provide a little overview of what it is you do?
Hey, Andrew. I’m Ben Morrow, the Founder and Designer of MILER RUNNING. I consider my first and most important responsibility to be designing for the brand, but I oversee every aspect of the business.
I’m currently at our design studio in lower Manhattan, where I normally work if I’m not at our factory in the Garment District. I spend most days bouncing between the two.
So, we like to keep tabs on what’s going on state-side and, as ever, see so much good stuff coming out of NYC. How has the city shaped you and MILER RUNNING?
I grew up running on trails in Oregon and then competitively in college, so I expected the city to be a miserable place to run, honestly. It took a few years, but I eventually came to love the city as an arena for running.
When I landed here, I also started running with people from non-competitive backgrounds that brought a new spirit and creativity to running, giving me a new perspective on the sport and ultimately leading me to start the brand.
Most brands will portray running through the city as a high-stakes battle with traffic and obstacles – I see it more as a unique mode for observing and absorbing it. From my seat as a clothing designer, what you wear to run in New York City must do even more functionally and aesthetically than if you were to run anywhere else. We don’t have the same amenities as runners outside New York – no car to store some extra water or a changing room to freshen up in.
What is it about the mile race that you love?
I love the mile distance for two main reasons. First, I see the mile race as the perfect format for an individual to express themselves through running. The race marries speed and endurance, so you see more than one side of a runner’s skillset, and there is more than one formula or strategy to win the mile. I aim to embody this sort of balance and versatility in every aspect of the brand.
And second, I love the simplicity and symmetry of the race, which, at an elite level on the track, is around four minutes over four laps.
On a personal note, as more of a long-distance athlete, I have always been envious of milers because they have this blend of speed and endurance that lets them excel in anything from the 400M to the 10K.
We understand you’re quite a runner yourself. What was your last race and how did it go?
I joined a grassroots, no-frills 50-miler trail and road race called Bear Bones, organized by my friend Felipe Toribio. I was doing well at the start, since the course began with about 3,000 feet of vertical gain, which is my strength, but I banged my ankle pretty badly around mile 10 and it swelled up over a few hours, so I unfortunately had to drop at mile 33.
What is it you were doing before MILER RUNNING and how has that influenced your approach to design and branding?
Before I started MILER RUNNING in 2019, I worked in private equity, and I started my career as an investment banker. In private equity, I was responsible for covering the building materials sector and learned a lot about the built environment. I also was involved in acquiring and selling a textile mill in North Carolina, which sparked my interest in Made-in-USA production and my deep appreciation for the unique people, skills and history that create storied brands.
Other than running, my primary design reference for MILER RUNNING is the built environment of New York City, which is mostly concrete, asphalt and steel.
My past experiences heavily influence everything I do with the brand today.
What’s the proudest moment you’ve had running MILER RUNNING?
Whenever someone dresses for an important moment, whether it be a critical workout or championship race, and chooses to wear something I created. It’s always an honor to be a part of someone’s big moment, even in a small way.
What would be the dream non-clothing item for MILER RUNNING to produce?
I have a lot of aspirations to scale design mediums, starting with furniture and ending with something architectural. I’d love to create a standing wardrobe for someone who runs.
With a small apartment in the city and no washer or dryer, I’ve been perpetually vexed with how to manage and care for my own abundance of running garments, cycling between storage, wear and washing. It’s a constant battle for every runner in New York City.
How did you see the shape of the running market at the time of MILER RUNNING’s inception in 2019 and how do you see it now?
There has unquestionably been a lot of growth across the running world since 2019, with new brands, products, races, clubs, stores, personalities, etc. Social media rewards flashy campaigns, mimicry and controversy, so it feels like it’s getting harder to discover genuine innovation and creativity in the digital realm. I try very hard to focus on what I know best and want to achieve—designing clothes and offering something unique to my home, New York City.
For many decades, the practice of design in the context of running was more backward-looking than forward-looking. It prioritized nostalgia over modern thinking. But as the sport has broadened, so has the opportunity to hybridize running with other cultural pillars, like fashion or urban life, pushing it in a more modern direction.
Let’s take things away from running and fashion for a minute. What interests do you have outside of these activities?
I already mentioned architecture and the built environment, which is my number one interest outside running. I’ll buy coffee to talk with any architect or designer about their work (just ask my friends).
My liquor cabinet houses a lot of amari and I sometimes try to make my own, but it never compares to what I buy.
I’ve been running for two decades, but I was a skater long before that, so I still try to ride around without hurting myself.
What’s your favourite place to get some quick food in the city?
I love the focaccia sandwiches from this Italian coffee bar near my apartment called Corto. I’ll always pay top dollar for a sandwich with good bread, meat and cheese.
If we flew over to the big apple next week, where would you take us, off the beaten tourist trail, that you think we’d enjoy?
Beckenstein Fabrics on 39th Street in the Garment District. The store is an endless maze of luxury fabrics, particularly suiting wools and shirting textiles, stacked floor to ceiling. You enter off a crowded, loud and dirty street, and are hit with deafening silence and stillness. To me, the feeling of that much fabric – a sea of navy, grey and black color palates – in such a small space is incredibly soothing.
What’s your favourite running shoe right now and why?
I love the On Ultracloud 2. It’s kept me safe on hundreds of miles of trails and is a great road-to-trail shoe when packing light for a trip. I hate having to bring two pairs of running shoes anywhere. (Side note, there is a new version of this model, but I am still testing it, so I don’t have a verdict yet.)
Road or trail? Or track?
I’ve always preferred cross country and trail over track and road, but I like to compete and find inspiration in all modes of running.
Right, last couple of questions…What does the future of MILER RUNNING look like?
The focus will continue to be on designing a modern and premium product assortment. We’ve already established many of our signature fabrics and colorways, so we’ll expand those elements into new silhouettes. I’m particularly excited about some outerwear, natural fiber fabrics, and accessories we have coming in the fall and winter that will give us a complete running wardrobe for all seasons.
There are also a few product collaborations in the mix, and we’ll continue to host events for our Dirt City project, which promotes the use and improvement of soft-surface trails in New York City.
Lastly, is there anything you dislike about running?
I’ve never finished a run and regretted it, so that tells me there isn’t much to dislike.
Thanks for chatting, Ben.
Find out what MILER RUNNING is up to here.
