Urgent News: Optimistic Runners: “Step into the Abyss”.
For Murakami, the experience of listening to The Lovin’ Spoonful on an old Minidisc player while running 62 miles in Hokkaido is pure joy. He runs six miles a day, six days a week, stating, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional,” in his book *What I Talk About When I Talk About Running*. This work serves as both a training diary and a life guide for runners. Similarly, Andrei Kravstov, founder of the Berlin-based brand Optimistic Runners, was inspired to run his first marathon in Hokkaido after reading Murakami’s book, leading him to create his sports apparel line and run club.
However, for non-runners, the idea of running can seem daunting. In preparation for the Berlin Marathon on September 29, I interviewed five members of the Optimistic Runners team—individuals who have transformed their passion for running into their careers—alongside images of their favorite Strava routes in Berlin. I asked them just one question: Why do you run?
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