Runners

40 RUNNER’S WORLD JULY 2018### HUMAN RACE^ STREET STYLE“My hair doesn’tgo down – it goesup and out, so Iwear it in a bun.Once, my hairjust explodedout of it. I lookedlike an absolutecrazed man. NowI always havehair bands on mywrist. They’re,like, industrial-strength; and Istill pop one oncea week.”``````“These adidas tightsare the best pair I’vehad. They’re super-comfortable, andthe bottom is a woolknit with relectivestrands. I got them asa Christmas presentlast year, from mymum. People know Ilove running, so I gettons of gear.”``````“My Reebok Floatrides are my favouritelong-distance shoe – I like the sock-likefeel and cushioned sole. I did the paintsplat on the front. I once got a big paintsplatter from a studio accident on anold pair, and now I try to replicate that.It gives shoes personality.”``````“I think I have [aMidnight RunnersT-shir t] for ever yday of the week.Everyone in thecrew wears these. Idesigned the logoand the monogramon the sleeve.”When graphic designerSami Al-Adawy’s creativejuices run dry, he laces upand hits the city streets. “Ithelps me get past a block- it’s therapeutic,” says themarathoner and ultra runner.Not that you’d describe Al-Adawy’s runs as peaceful.As one of the captains of theLondon Midnight Runners crew,he typically heads out with 200others to the beat of a speciallycrafted playlist that certainmembers blast out of Bluetoothspeakers synced to theirphones. The crew launchedabout two and a half years ago,back when original membersactually ran at midnight. (Todaythe group goes out around7.30pm, when they’re less likelyto disturb the neighbourhood.)The rhythm of the music helpskeep the large pack on pace –plus, adds Al-Adawy, “There’snothing like running the busystreets of London with yourmates, sharing an epic playlist.”NIGHT FLOWA BLARING SPEAKER AND STURDY HAIRBANDS KEEP THIS RUN-CREW CAPTAINMOVING.BY KATIE NEITZPHOTOGRAPH BY JILLIAN EDELSTEIN