Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Here’s a Blog post from our friends at Running Caffeinated who helped us launch our SoHo NYC Run Club on Wednesday night:

In a word, tonight was…fantabulous! Yes, it was that cool that I had to invent a word to describe it. Icebreaker, the run gear that everyone runner should be wearing, just launched their very own run group with, Running Caffeinated! We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout on this dreary NYC evening. We kicked-off the very first run with an easy 4 miles along the West Side Highway. And awaiting us at the store – an amazing spread of food.

What made the night even more spectacular was special guest, Kathrine Switzer, the very first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Her spirit, energy and passion for the sport are inspiring and infectious. I practically jumped out of my skin when I say living legend Kathrine Switzer. She is such a warm and welcoming person you just want to give her a hug and that’s exactly what I did, I couldn’t help myself!

Even cooler, was the fact that she accompanied us on our run. She took the time to chat with each runner in the group. She listened as everyone anxiously spilled their own passion for running, what they were training for, past accomplishments, etc.

The post-run cuisine was better than what you’d find in a five star restaurant. And while water and Gatorade are usually the only rehydrating options, every now and then it’s nice to have some fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or an IPA to go with that salmon ceviche or lamb pie. And for dessert, yes, dessert, raspberry lamington. Chef Mark Simmons took the post-run food table to a completely new level.

The evening wrapped up with a motivational, inspiring and entertaining talk from Kathrine about her quest to compete the Motatapu Icebreaker Marathon and the race that started it all, that fateful day in Boston.

If you missed the chance to join us for our inaugural run don’t worry; we’ll be back next Wednesday and every Wednesday after that, same time, same place, same Icebreaker run shirt. Because it’s No Stink!

- Carol Buonanno & Kelly Burnes, Running Caffeinated

We’re making all sorts of wonderful new friends here in Manhattan at the new Icebreaker Soho TouchLab store, including a woman who is an Icebreaker addict through and through.

She attends film school here in New York, and sent us this video with a note:

“I learned a great deal from making this video and hugely enjoyed the opportunity to talk with Gretchen — who’s an inspiration — and spend lots of time in the store! As I’ve said, I adore Icebreaker products and New Zealand. And New York. So this was a fun chance to combine the three. The footage at the beginning was from my bike trip in New Zealand at the beginning of the year.”

We hope you’ll flock to this is much as we did.

WATCH: New (York) Zealand – A Video Love Letter

Our New York City TouchLab store opens tomorrow (Wednesday, 1 December), and today while we were working out a few kinks and getting ready for the VIP party and grand opening, who do we see walk in?  Some scruffy bearded guy, and someone who looks like a former Icebreaker model.

Jo Lewis, our retail designer, recognized the Conchord behind the beard and welcomed Jemaine Clement and director/actor/comedian/writer Taika Waititi (who tried on all sorts of Icebreaker outerwear).  Jemaine said he and his FOTC bandmate Bret McKenzie wore a lot of Icebreaker baselayer during their shoots to stay warm.

We’re very excited to see Taika’s new movie, “Boy“, open globally.  Both gents were ever charming and posed for photos with the Icebreaker crew, check them out below!

We hope to see them back tomorrow for the festivities.