Building on that momentum, Sports Direct now returns with a new chapter in partnership with New Balance; a four-part journey designed to guide runners from everyday training to race-day readiness as they prepare for the KL Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2026. It is a structured, story-driven journey built around the people who show up.
For the first run of the series, three KL-based run clubs led the morning; Brand New Waves, Square One & RSS Run Club; each captaining a dedicated pace group that ensured runners of all abilities could participate at their own level: easy and conversational, moderate, or advanced.
The event also marked the official introduction of the Chase The Pace Core 3; runners each selected from a different run club, each carrying a distinct story and reason to run. Over the next four months, these three individuals will document their full training journey leading up to KLSCM; capturing the honesty of real preparation, the progress, the setbacks, the community, and the milestones that define what it means to chase a goal.
Participants had the opportunity to trial three of New Balance's performance running shoes across the full 5KM-10KM route under real running conditions. The 1080v15 debuts New Balance’s brand-new midsole technology, Infinion Foam, which delivers long-lasting performance with enhanced cushioning. coupled with an expressive new design to be more breathable with molded contours, completely redefines what a modern running shoe can be.. The FuelCell Rebel v5 provides runners with responsiveness and energy return from its PEBA blended midsole. Its breathable upper and defiantly bold design makes it the choice for runners looking for speed, logging everyday mileage, and standing out in the pack. Completing the line-up, the brand’s newest evolution in running, the New Balance Ellipse, features the unparalleled comfort of Fresh Foam X cushioning, re-imagined with a bouncy underfoot feel to make daily runs more enjoyable.