New York is a running city. Home to the largest marathon in the world, with over 50,000 participants and 2 million spectators, the city boasts hundreds of run clubs, some with memberships in the thousands. Despite this strong running culture, trail running hasn’t gained the same momentum. Although New York State features over 60% forest coverage, accessing nature from the city remains difficult.
Brooklyn-based Outlandish is partnering with HOKA to address this gap through Trailish, a nonprofit program that will host monthly trail runs throughout the Hudson Valley and greater Tri-State area. Each running event will include transportation by shuttle from Outlandish’s store in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and will be planned and led by New-York-State licensed guides. To make trail running accessible to newcomers, HOKA will provide demo shoes at each event, allowing participants to experience trail running without having to buy new gear.
Trailish will officially launch with its inaugural run at Rockefeller State Park in January 2025 and will continue monthly throughout the year, with plans to expand the program in 2026.
“New York is the greatest city in the world, but access to nature is our Achilles heel,” says Outlandish Cofounder Benje Williams, who grew up in the Northern California foothills. “Hopefully, Trailish can help close the loop.”
Williams, along with Brooklyn native Ken Bernard, founded Outlandish in 2023 with a mission to help people reconnect with nature. Outlandish is one of only four Black-owned gear stores in the U.S., out of 4700, and one of the few dedicated outdoor stores in Brooklyn.
Since opening, Outlandish has hosted a variety of programs, including nature-centered book clubs and community runs in Prospect Park, as well as bi-weekly hikes that have introduced thousands of New Yorkers to the outdoors, while also fostering new friendships.
“It’s amazing to see the community that’s rallied around us, around the outdoors,” says Bernard, who didn’t go on his first hike until his 18th birthday. “Nature and community, what more can you ask for?”
Trailish is the next step in expanding this foundation.
HOKA, known as one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands, is excited to support Trailish as part of its mission to promote running and outdoor access. The brand continues to deepen its roots in New York City, following the opening of its 9,000-square- foot flagship store on Fifth Avenue in June and its support of the BKLYN MILE in Williamsburg.
To learn more about Trailish, follow along at Instagram.com/outlandishnyc.
About HOKA®
HOKA® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly
About Outlandish
Outlandish is a hiking store and social enterprise in Brooklyn, New York, with a mission to help people reconnect with nature. Founded in 2023 by Benje Williams and Ken Bernard, Outlandish is the 4th Black-owned gear store out of 4,700 in the United States and one of the only dedicated outdoor stores in Brooklyn. They host bi-weekly hikes through their hiking program Hikeish and monthly trail runs through Trailish. They carry brands like Hoka, Patagonia, The North Face and Arc’teryx, as well as minority and women-led brands founded out of New York. Visit Outlandish.nyc or follow @OutlandishNYC to learn more.