Britt Cutts adidas Run For The Oceans Interview

Run For The Oceans

Based on the brands' love of sport and responsibility, adidas and Parley for the Oceans have announced the return of Run For The Oceans, a global running movement that uses the power of sports to raise awareness for the threat of marine plastic pollution.

Through this worldwide initiative, adidas and Parley are calling on their global communities between June 8 and July 8 to take action and protect the oceans that are increasingly endangered due to manmade issues including pollution, waste and growing consumption. Since 2015, the partners have been working together to prevent plastic entering our oceans, transforming it into performance sportswear crafted from Parley Ocean Plastic™.

Taking the initiative to the next level for 2018, adidas will match every kilometre run with US$ 1 – for the first one million kilometres – to support the Parley Ocean School program, which educates and empowers the next generation of Ocean Guardians through immersive experiences in the environment we are fighting to protect. With in-school program and water sports activities, Parley Ocean School introduces youth to the underwater world, teaching them about the impacts of marine plastic pollution and giving them the tools and inspiration to protect their future with Parley AIR.

Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley for the Oceans said: "Every second breath we take is created by the Oceans. Still, we are killing its life in rapid speed. We are hosting Run for the Oceans with adidas to step out of our routine, to take a deep breath and to reflect on how important the sea is for every one of us. And to show that millions of little steps can make a huge difference for our movement."

To get involved, adidas and Parley are hosting a series of physical runs in several key cities worldwide including Sydney, New York, Paris, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Milan and Shanghai, and are mobilising the global adidas Runners network to organise weekly running initiatives in 50 adidas Runners communities worldwide.

Andre Maestrini, General Manager, adidas Sports Business Units said: "At adidas, we believe that sport has the power to change lives and the Run For The Oceans movement truly reflects this. We have created a unique global platform that gives everyone the opportunity to impact their lives by joining a collective running movement that fights marine plastic pollution. Seeing the adidas family unite for a shared purpose is what makes the campaign so powerful."

Runners around the world can also sign up and track their runs on the digital platforms of Runtastic to contribute and help reach one million kilometres, joining adidas ambassadors Shaunae Miller, Tori Bowie and Wayde Van Niekerk among other high-profile athletes in their efforts to spread the message.

Inspired by the fragility of the oceans, adidas Running will reveal limited-release UltraBOOST Parley and UltraBOOST X shoes, fusing performance-oriented footwear technology with progressive ecoinnovation.

The high-performance, high-purpose products prove adidas' and Parley's commitment to tackle the major threats one step at a time. Featuring an energy-return BOOST™ midsole and 95% Parley Ocean Plastic™ Primeknit upper, each pair prevents approx. 11 plastic bottles from the possibility of entering our oceans. Available in a chalk pearl colourway, the silhouettes are available online from June 8 and in stores worldwide from June 27. UltraBOOST Parley RRP: $260AUD and UltraBOOST X RRP: $300AUD.

Everybody can join the movement by downloading Runtastic/Joyrun to track each step between June 8 and July 8. To find out more about the Run For The Oceans and sign up, visit: adidas.com/Parley.

Follow the conversation at @adidasrunning on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and using #RunForTheOceans, #adidasParley, #UltraBOOST.

Interview with Britt Cutts

Question: What is the Run for the Oceans initiative?

Britt Cutts: It is a global running movement that uses the power of sports to raise awareness for the threat of marine plastic pollution.


Question: Why is Run for the Oceans important to you?

Britt Cutts: I have always been into teaming exercise up with charity events and organisations but this one I am particularly passionate about. If we don't clean up the plastic and stop the continued pollution of our oceans, we are facing the potential extinction of many sea life species and the interruption of the entire ecosystem.


Question: How have you been participating in the Run for the Oceans initiative?

Britt Cutts: I am one of the adidas Runners Melb coaches and we run 5km every Wednesday night with our community. We record our runs on the 'Runtastic' app and increase our running community each week in the hopes that we can get more people to take more action and protect the oceans that are increasingly endangered. I also make an effort to raise awareness about Parley via social media and informing people on how detrimental plastic is on our planet.


Question: What tips do you have for those wanting to become better and faster runners?

Britt Cutts: Just leave your ego behind and give it a go! Work on both your weaknesses and strengths. Start by joining a crew like our adidas runners community, have people around you that are at different fitness levels, focus on your own speed and your own technique. You will progress each week and become addicted to feeling you get from a run.

Question: How do you stay motivated to exercise, in winter?

Britt Cutts: When you learn to love yourself from the inside out, you learn to show up for yourself every day and treat it with respect. This can be done through exercise, verbally, nutritionally and through recovery. I ultimately want what is best for my body and others around me. Often there are parts of myself that I want to improve but the real motivation comes from how I feel when I move more, when I own the day, when I have control and eat food that gives me energy, makes me enjoyable to be around and improves my performance.


Question: What's a typical week's exercise routine like, for you, currently?

Britt Cutts: It varies! My whole philosophy on exercise is that one style of training does not fit all. We can all benefit from all styles of training so I incorporate running (adidas runners on Wednesday night), with cycle classes, my own weights training, HIIT, fasted walking, Hot Yoga (recovery), Pilates and I swim a lot. I challenge myself and set little goals within that and aim to excel at all different styles. Variety is key I say, and strategically plan your week in advance depending on what your goals are.


Question: What is your favourite adidas product, right now?

Britt Cutts: My baby pink Ultra boost. Can't beat it.

Images: @brittactive
Interview by Brooke Hunter