Last Saturday, Berlin played host to the On Squad Race, bringing together running crews from across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for a unique competition that turned running into a true team sport. Representing BSTN were Denise, Lena, Joshua, and Nicolai, who took on the challenge alongside hundreds of other runners in pursuit of a spot at the global Squad Race final in Los Angeles.
Set inside a multi-story parking garage, the race challenged squads on a spiral course winding through the concrete structure: Four runners. Four relay legs. And a relentless route from the fifth floor down to ground level and back up again before handing over the baton. Raw and unlike traditional race settings, the venue felt as much like a community gathering as it did a competition.
While the BSTN squad ultimately crossed the line in 9th place, the result only tells part of the story. Denise, Lena, Joshua, and Nicolai left it all on the spiral, representing BSTN with the kind of commitment and team spirit that defined the entire event.
Supported by an inspiring crowd – and the highly cushioned On Cloudmonster 3 underfoot – the day was defined by camaraderie, encouragement, and plenty of shared suffering on the ramps. Soundtracked by DJ sets from Kim She, Salimata, and limbic sis, the event felt as much like a community gathering as it did a race.
Thank you to On for bringing together such an inspiring community event, and to Denise, Lena, Joshua, and Nicolai for flying the BSTN flag in Berlin. We’ll be back.
