Last: An Untold Runner's Story

History hails the victor but runners who tackle races for pride and personal goals, rather than pace, are rarely recognized. As Fall marathon season is upon us, a new Nike Running film, Last, celebrates not only the last athlete who crosses the finish line, but also the imperfect journey of every runner. Anyone can be a runner; all you have to do is run.

All runners can take on their own challenges with Nike+ Run Club (NRC). NRC embodies Nike's commitment to serve runners of all ability levels — whether they are attempting their first, fastest or farthest run — by offering access to physical and digital running sessions, in-store services, personal coaching and a motivating community.

Nike+ Motivates Runners Through Music

Nike+ Running partners with Spotify to develop a game-changing experience that unites the tracking of the Nike+ Running App with the world’s largest music streaming service.

When it comes to running, music is motivation – just ask the earbud-wearing athletes pounding sidewalks, tracks, treadmills and tree-lined trails. Likewise, an ever-growing body of research has confirmed music’s performance-enhancing effects: it can reduce a runner’s perception of exertion and fatigue as well as increase happiness and excitement.

Nike+ Running’s newest app update, developed in partnership with Spotify, integrates these findings and builds upon the success of the Nike+ Run Club playlists already on Spotify by enhancing runners' overall in-run music experience. Notably, the update introduces Nike exclusive Pace Stations, which invite users to input their pace goal and musical preference. This data then informs a target BPM (beats per minute), which in turn creates a personalized 100-song playlist designed to push the runner’s pace. The first-of-its-kind instructive experience then guides runners to their goals when they step in-beat to the prescribed songs.

“Since our launch as the original running app in 2006, music has always been core to the Nike+ Running experience" said Adam Roth, Nike VP, Global Running Brand Marketing. "Our partnership with Spotify takes that experience to a new level, leveraging personalized music as motivational fuel every run, for every runner."

Spotify music is also an integral part of the Nike “Find Your Fast” challenge this summer. An eight-week program developed by expert Nike+ Run Club coaches, the challenge includes workouts, tunes and expert tips to help all runners, whether they are completing their first mile or realizing a personal best.

"Nike and Spotify are combining forces to create the ultimate motivating experience for runners," said Erin Clift, VP Consumer and Partner Marketing, Spotify. "Nike+ runners now have access to millions of tracks through Spotify to help them achieve their personal goals and find their fast this summer."