For a few hours every Monday evening, Eight 8 Lines meets up in a set location in greater Paris and heads off on a run. Disconnecting from their busy day through free-flowing group exercise, its feel-good approach to staying fit has been integral to the run club’s agenda for the past two years and has since contributed to an enriched lifestyle for its members, extending beyond just a weekly hobby.
Sharing a look into the inner workings of the movement, Nike taps the collective for its latest campaign produced by Hypebeast. Celebrating the launch of the new Pegasus 41, they are captured on the historic streets, exuding a dynamic energy that perfectly complements the streamlined sneaker. At the forefront of the visuals features Eight 8 Lines co-founder Lourdès Fernando who sprints in unison with the group, as they “transform each location into a running track” one run at a time.
"“People are looking for real, simple, and authentic experiences..."
“Why complicate life when everything can be as simple as running?” says Fernando in conversation with Hypebeast. “People are looking for real, simple, and authentic experiences so we like to replicate our childhood: playing and competing without stress.” With this easy-going attitude in mind, the runner co-ordinates with the club’s other co-founders, Dani and Moussa, to organize and coach a series of sessions, of which, he sometimes runs with the assistance of professional athletes. He explains, “Generally, two coaches will design a 2/3-month program with various sessions including sprinting, threshold runs, and intervals. Each training session is unique but we keep freedom and play at the heart of our approach.”
By switching up the course of training, Eight 8 Lines aims to keep its members excited for the sessions, motivating them to improve their ability and take on new challenges. However, for newcomers to the group, and the sport in general, this approach makes running feel more accessible as professionals oversee and support their journey. “We want to offer a place where everyone feels welcome and respected,” he says. “We do this by creating a safe and inclusive space for all communities, particularly marginalized ones.”
As a result of advocating for diversity and unity, the run club has become an arena for cultural expression as well as staying fit. “Since we come from different origins, we like to highlight our cultures, whether through food or music. Sometimes we eat, dance, and enjoy music together after a run, ” he says. Being a photographer himself, Fernando has also enjoyed seeing several artists and creatives join the group over the past few months who have gone on to host small events for Eight 8 Lines. This simple act of giving back allows them to build their creative repertoire while staying fit. The runner says, “Everyone who joins us writes their own line into the movement, enriching our creativity and evolution.”
"Everyone who joins us writes their own line into the movement."
When asked about the influence that Paris and its cultural scene has had on the group, he responds with one simple statement: “We haven't just used it; we are an integral part of it.” Rooting from different districts in the city, Eight 8 Lines is a portrait of modernaris, cultivating new culture through sport. As they look into the future, the run club hopes to tap into their unique backgrounds and take this outlook to other countries.“We want to organize international events inspired by our multicultural origins. By building bridges between our parents' countries and our own, future generations can see the incredible strength of cultural diversity,” he exclaims. Alongside this, it will also undertake new charity work as well as launching a new running group dedicated to the next generation of athletes. For now, though, it continues to welcome more locals in pursuit of switching up their lifestyle with running.
Explore the new Nike campaign produced by Hypebeast in the gallery above.
To shop Nike’s new Pegasus 41 running sneaker, head to the brand’s website, global stores, and select partner stockists now.
