Embrace the Wild: Unpacking "Never Follow Trails" -A Nike x Mental Athletic x ACG Masterpiece

Embrace the Wild: Unpacking "Never Follow Trails" -A Nike x Mental Athletic x ACG Masterpiece

De acuerdo, escuchad bien, exploradores urbanos y habitantes del hormigón. Hay una nueva canción de sirena que susurra desde las montañas, una llamada a dejar atrás lo conocido y adentrarse en lo desconocido. Y esta vez no es solo un susurro; es un auténtico himno que resuena desde las páginas de “Never Follow Trails”, la última expedición literaria de Nike, creada junto a nuestros espíritus afines de Mental Athletic, todo en celebración de ACG.

Ya conocéis Noirfonce. Nosotros no seguimos el camino marcado. Preferimos la grava, el barro, el sendero apenas visible que atraviesa el bosque y que conduce a algo completamente nuevo. Así que cuando escuchamos hablar de “Never Follow Trails”, un libro diseñado para encarnar el espíritu de All Conditions Gear, ese lado robusto y valiente de Nike que se ríe de la lluvia y pide más, supimos que sería algo especial. Y creedme: no decepciona.

Esto no es simplemente un libro para la mesa de café, aunque quedará increíble en la vuestra. Es un manifiesto. Un viaje visual y filosófico que te desafía a apagar el GPS, ignorar los miradores abarrotados y abrir tu propio camino. Es una carta de amor a lo indómito, una vibrante oda a los espacios salvajes que nos recuerdan que somos algo más que nuestras fronteras de hormigón.

Desde la calidad táctil de sus páginas hasta la fotografía evocadora, cada elemento respira aventura. Casi puedes oler el pino y sentir el rocío de una cascada mientras pasas las páginas. El libro muestra la belleza cruda de la naturaleza a través de la mirada de quienes realmente la viven: excursionistas, escaladores y viajeros que encuentran calma y fuerza en terrenos exigentes. Y, por supuesto, entrelaza el ADN de ACG, recordándonos que el equipamiento no es solo ropa, sino una herramienta, una extensión de nuestra voluntad de explorar.

Mental Athletic, fiel a su nombre, aporta esa dimensión esencial de fortaleza mental. Porque seamos honestos: desconectarse no es solo una cuestión de resistencia física; es una cuestión de mentalidad. Es tener el valor de enfrentarse a la incertidumbre, adaptarse y encontrar belleza incluso en la incomodidad. “Never Follow Trails” celebra esa resiliencia mental e inspira a superar los propios límites, tanto en el sendero como en la vida.

Es más que un libro; es una invitación. Una invitación a reconectar con algo primitivo dentro de nosotros, algo que anhela la inmensidad de la naturaleza. Un recordatorio de que los descubrimientos más profundos no se encuentran en caminos transitados, sino justo más allá de donde termina la carretera.

Así que, para quienes escuchan la llamada de lo salvaje y encuentran inspiración en lo auténtico y lo rugoso, hacedos con “Never Follow Trails”. Dejad que sea vuestra guía, vuestra musa, vuestra chispa. Porque en un mundo que a menudo exige conformidad, este libro al igual que ACG lanza un rugido desafiante: abre tu propio camino, abraza lo desconocido y nunca sigas los senderos.

Ahora, si me disculpáis, las montañas nos llaman.

Libros limitados ya disponibles en tienda, gratis con la compra de las ACG Ultrafly.

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In endurance sports, performance has a way of becoming the only story. Splits, rankings, podiums, personal bests. Every metric neatly quantified, every effort translated into data. Yet the most compelling athletes often exist somewhere beyond those numbers. They understand that sport is not only measured by outcomes, but by the experiences, relationships, and creative expression that grow around it. A professional trail runner competing under Nike ACG, Meirow belongs to a new generation of athletes whose identities extend far beyond race results. While his performances in some of the world's most demanding mountain races continue to establish him as a serious competitor, his ambitions increasingly stretch into storytelling, publishing, film, and creative direction. For him, running is not simply a sport. It is a medium. Speaking during a recent stop on his European racing calendar, Meirow reflected on what makes ACG unique within the broader Nike ecosystem. While many performance categories focus on Olympic disciplines and traditional athletic pathways, he sees ACG as a home for athletes operating slightly outside those conventions. To Meirow, ACG has always represented something different: a space built around exploration, experimentation, and sports that thrive on individuality. Trail running, mountain racing, and outdoor culture naturally fit within that framework. The result is a brand environment that embraces creativity as much as competition. At his core, Meirow remains intensely competitive. Racing is still the foundation. The mountains remain the arena where he tests himself and measures growth. Yet he is equally interested in everything surrounding those moments—the people encountered along the way, the places visited, the culture of the trail running community, and the stories that often disappear once the finish line tape is removed. "Running can be very analytical," he explained. Endless focus on output, performance, and measurable progression can sometimes strip away the emotional texture that makes the experience meaningful in the first place... Creativity restores that balance. Rather than viewing artistic projects as distractions from competition, Meirow sees them as essential complements. Photography, publishing, film, conversation, and design allow him to document the nuances of a racing season that statistics alone cannot capture. They transform training and travel into a richer narrative. And that desire eventually evolved into So Sick. At first glance, So Sick appears to be a simple title borrowed from a familiar expression. The phrase is universal...a spontaneous reaction to something impressive, beautiful, surprising, or inspiring. For Meirow, however, the phrase became the foundation for an entire creative platform. The project forms part of what he calls the So Sick World Tour, an ongoing initiative that follows his racing season across different countries, events, and communities. What began as an idea for a film quickly expanded into something far more ambitious: a collection of interconnected creative outputs documenting life on the trail through multiple formats. Central to that ecosystem is the So Sick publication itself. Rather than functioning as a traditional race report or athlete diary, the magazine adopts the spirit of an independent zine. It serves as a physical artifact from each chapter of the journey: a tactile record of experiences gathered throughout the season. In an era dominated by fleeting social media content, the decision to produce a printed publication feels intentionally countercultural. Instagram offers immediacy, but often lacks permanence. Stories disappear beneath algorithms and endless scrolling. The magazine format demands something slower and more deliberate. The publication captures the atmosphere surrounding races as much as the competitions themselves. Landscapes, conversations, local culture, travel moments, creative observations, and personal experiences become part of the narrative. The finish line remains important, but it no longer occupies the entire frame. Unlike many mainstream sports, trail running thrives on community, geography, and shared experiences. The mountains are not merely venues; they become active participants in the story. Every destination possesses its own character, and every event introduces a new network of athletes, artists, photographers, organizers, and dreamers. The publication transforms a racing calendar into a travel journal, an art project, and a cultural document all at once. But again, the magazine is only one component of the larger project. Alongside the publication, Meirow has developed what he calls a "trailcast" -a podcast recorded while running. Instead of traditional studio conversations, discussions unfold on trails, during training sessions, and within the environments that shape the athletes themselves. The concept reflects the same philosophy that drives the magazine: context matters. Stories sound different when they emerge from movement rather than a controlled recording booth. Breathing, terrain, weather, and physical effort become part of the conversation. The environment is no longer background scenery, it becomes an active participant. Taken together, the film work, podcast episodes, race experiences, and printed publications form a broader attempt to document what modern trail running actually feels like from the inside. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Meirow's work is what it suggests about the changing role of professional athletes. Previous generations often existed within clearly defined boundaries: train, compete, recover, repeat. Media teams handled storytelling. Brands controlled narratives. Athletes appeared primarily as subjects rather than creators. With projects like So Sick, Meirow operates simultaneously as athlete, publisher, creative director, filmmaker, interviewer, and storyteller. The race remains central, but it is no longer the sole output. Nike ACG's willingness to support that vision has provided room for experimentation, allowing Meirow to direct the project according to his own instincts rather than forcing it into traditional marketing frameworks. The result feels authentic because it emerges directly from his interests and experiences. And perhaps that authenticity explains why So Sick resonates. The publication is not trying to sell the mythology of perfection. It documents movement, curiosity, friendship, competition, and creative exploration. It captures the spaces between races, the moments that often define a season far more than any finishing position. In So Sick, every race becomes a chapter, every trail a narrative thread, and every journey an opportunity to create something lasting long after the stopwatch has stopped.

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Day 3: The Witching Hour, The Pilgrimage, and the Human Corridor of Sancti Spiritu.

Day 3: The Witching Hour, The Pilgrimage, and t...

This is it. The reason the mud exists. The reason the shoes were designed. The reason thousands converge on this tiny Basque village. Race Day. I don't think the alarm wasn’t necessary. Across the camp our internal clocks, dialed into the nervous tension of the lodge, had us all awake minutes before the crude beep. The air in San Sebastian was cold and completely still. There is a distinct ritual to race morning, even when you aren’t racing. The ACG crew moved with quiet efficiency. Layers were donned. The ACG Zegama shoes, now dry and battle-tested from Day 2, were laced tight, our trust in their grip cemented. By 5:00 AM, we were on the bus heading south. You might think a 5:00 AM bus ride is silent, filled with sleeping bodies. Not today. Not for Zegama. As we rolled toward the Goierri valley, the energy in the vehicle was a tangible, ascending force. The hum of conversation grew louder with every kilometer. The anticipation in the cabin was building its own crescendo. It felt as though the entire Basque Country was inhaling, holding its collective breath. We arrived in Zegama as dawn was just a suggestion of gray against the black peaks of the Aizkorri massif. The town, which we had left as a chaotic street party just hours ago, was now a serious staging ground. First priority: fuel. A quick, powerful coffee at a temporary stand, a hand-grabbed fistful of fruit, and a nutrient-dense snack. That was it. Our mission today wasn't running the marathon; it was surviving the pilgrimage to Sancti Spiritu. And a pilgrimage it is. Leaving the start line gantry behind, we joined the thousands moving out of the village. The early light illuminated a sea of headlamps, a luminous river winding up the steep trails. What makes Zegama unique isn't just the runners; it’s the sheer number of people heading up simply to cheer. We were walking alongside entire families, grandparents with walking sticks, parents with children on their shoulders, all carrying their local pride flags, from the local basque flag (Ikurriña) to other nationalities. We were all moving as one... and using the hum of the distant cowbells as guides up the mountain. This energy is dangerous; it is completely infectious. Our ACG group, initially focused on the technical aspects of the hike, was quickly swept up. We stopped being media, retailers, and staff; we became fans. We found ourselves cheering each other up the steepest pitches, drawn into the shared cultural fervor that defines this race. The goal was the 975-meter mark: Sancti Spiritu. This is the halfway point of the marathon and the legendary emotional epicenter of the entire race. As we ascended, the trees began to thin, revealing the exposed ridge. The sound, a dull roar at the base, became deafening. It is a wall of sound: thousands of voices, hundreds of bells, traditional irrinti screams, and music. We arrived to form part of the Human Corridor. There is barely any path here. Just a narrow channel of rock and mud, flanked on both sides by a dense mass of screaming, singing, frantic humans. It is claustrophobic, intense, and utterly beautiful. Standing in that corridor, the ground beneath our ACG shoes vibrating with the noise, we felt it. The energy shift. The lead athletes were coming. You don't see them first; you see the crowd explode in front of them. It’s like a tsunami of sound rolling up the hill. And then they were there. The elite runners, moving at an impossible pace through a corridor just wide enough for their bodies. We were screaming, sweating, reaching out (but never touching), providing that raw, physical energy that athletes say only exists at Zegama. We saw the masks of pain, the focus, and the sudden look of recognition as they hit the cauldron of support. To see the athletes we studied—the ones wearing the same gear we tested—fighting at this level, in this atmosphere, was a spiritual experience. After the elite field passed through, the energy in the corridor stabilized, though it never truly dropped. We began our descent, moving away from the chaotic peak. This long walk back down provided the space to finally reflect on the landscape. This is the incredible gem Zegama has in its backyard. Leaving the rocky cauldron of Sancti Spiritu, the trail drops into classic rural Basque country. We moved through ancient forests of moss-covered trees and past isolated, historic stone farmsteads (baserriak) where the smell of woodsmoke and sheep hung in the air. The contrast was striking: from the deafening, modern chaos of the peak to this timeless, serene landscape. It was a powerful reminder that while the race is modern, the environment ACG designs for is ancient and unforgiving. Back in Zegama town, the race was reaching its actual crescendo. The big screens were flashing times that defied the brutal mud and technicality of the course. The men’s race was a masterclass in controlled power. Elhousine Elazzaoui came in first, clocking 3:45:09. His second consecutive win was dominant, a proof that his intuitive understanding of how to run this specific, technical, muddy terrain is unmatched. He didn’t just run the course; he tamed it. In the women’s race, we witnessed history. Tove Alexandersson won the female race shattering the previous record. Alexandersson, a true multi-sport warrior, obliterated the course record with a performance that was almost intimidating in its clinical efficiency. She didn’t just win; she reset the expectation of what is possible on the Aizkorri massif. The local heroes ensured the crowd’s energy remained at a peak until the end. The final podium steps were filled with Spanish pride as Malen Osa y Sara Alonso completaron el podio. Their fight on the technical descents provided the narrative that the local fans craved, proving that the future of Catalan and Spanish trail running remains incredibly strong. We ended the day not at a Sidrería, but back in the village square, reflecting on the madness. The ACG Zegama Experience was more than a product launch or a marketing event. It was a raw immersion into the culture that demands this type of gear. We felt the mud, heard the bells, saw the pain, and witnessed the legends. We had taken the gear into its home, and the home had taken us in. Until next time, Zegama.

Leer más

Day 3: The Witching Hour, The Pilgrimage, and t...

This is it. The reason the mud exists. The reason the shoes were designed. The reason thousands converge on this tiny Basque village. Race Day. I don't think the alarm wasn’t necessary. Across the camp our internal clocks, dialed into the nervous tension of the lodge, had us all awake minutes before the crude beep. The air in San Sebastian was cold and completely still. There is a distinct ritual to race morning, even when you aren’t racing. The ACG crew moved with quiet efficiency. Layers were donned. The ACG Zegama shoes, now dry and battle-tested from Day 2, were laced tight, our trust in their grip cemented. By 5:00 AM, we were on the bus heading south. You might think a 5:00 AM bus ride is silent, filled with sleeping bodies. Not today. Not for Zegama. As we rolled toward the Goierri valley, the energy in the vehicle was a tangible, ascending force. The hum of conversation grew louder with every kilometer. The anticipation in the cabin was building its own crescendo. It felt as though the entire Basque Country was inhaling, holding its collective breath. We arrived in Zegama as dawn was just a suggestion of gray against the black peaks of the Aizkorri massif. The town, which we had left as a chaotic street party just hours ago, was now a serious staging ground. First priority: fuel. A quick, powerful coffee at a temporary stand, a hand-grabbed fistful of fruit, and a nutrient-dense snack. That was it. Our mission today wasn't running the marathon; it was surviving the pilgrimage to Sancti Spiritu. And a pilgrimage it is. Leaving the start line gantry behind, we joined the thousands moving out of the village. The early light illuminated a sea of headlamps, a luminous river winding up the steep trails. What makes Zegama unique isn't just the runners; it’s the sheer number of people heading up simply to cheer. We were walking alongside entire families, grandparents with walking sticks, parents with children on their shoulders, all carrying their local pride flags, from the local basque flag (Ikurriña) to other nationalities. We were all moving as one... and using the hum of the distant cowbells as guides up the mountain. This energy is dangerous; it is completely infectious. Our ACG group, initially focused on the technical aspects of the hike, was quickly swept up. We stopped being media, retailers, and staff; we became fans. We found ourselves cheering each other up the steepest pitches, drawn into the shared cultural fervor that defines this race. The goal was the 975-meter mark: Sancti Spiritu. This is the halfway point of the marathon and the legendary emotional epicenter of the entire race. As we ascended, the trees began to thin, revealing the exposed ridge. The sound, a dull roar at the base, became deafening. It is a wall of sound: thousands of voices, hundreds of bells, traditional irrinti screams, and music. We arrived to form part of the Human Corridor. There is barely any path here. Just a narrow channel of rock and mud, flanked on both sides by a dense mass of screaming, singing, frantic humans. It is claustrophobic, intense, and utterly beautiful. Standing in that corridor, the ground beneath our ACG shoes vibrating with the noise, we felt it. The energy shift. The lead athletes were coming. You don't see them first; you see the crowd explode in front of them. It’s like a tsunami of sound rolling up the hill. And then they were there. The elite runners, moving at an impossible pace through a corridor just wide enough for their bodies. We were screaming, sweating, reaching out (but never touching), providing that raw, physical energy that athletes say only exists at Zegama. We saw the masks of pain, the focus, and the sudden look of recognition as they hit the cauldron of support. To see the athletes we studied—the ones wearing the same gear we tested—fighting at this level, in this atmosphere, was a spiritual experience. After the elite field passed through, the energy in the corridor stabilized, though it never truly dropped. We began our descent, moving away from the chaotic peak. This long walk back down provided the space to finally reflect on the landscape. This is the incredible gem Zegama has in its backyard. Leaving the rocky cauldron of Sancti Spiritu, the trail drops into classic rural Basque country. We moved through ancient forests of moss-covered trees and past isolated, historic stone farmsteads (baserriak) where the smell of woodsmoke and sheep hung in the air. The contrast was striking: from the deafening, modern chaos of the peak to this timeless, serene landscape. It was a powerful reminder that while the race is modern, the environment ACG designs for is ancient and unforgiving. Back in Zegama town, the race was reaching its actual crescendo. The big screens were flashing times that defied the brutal mud and technicality of the course. The men’s race was a masterclass in controlled power. Elhousine Elazzaoui came in first, clocking 3:45:09. His second consecutive win was dominant, a proof that his intuitive understanding of how to run this specific, technical, muddy terrain is unmatched. He didn’t just run the course; he tamed it. In the women’s race, we witnessed history. Tove Alexandersson won the female race shattering the previous record. Alexandersson, a true multi-sport warrior, obliterated the course record with a performance that was almost intimidating in its clinical efficiency. She didn’t just win; she reset the expectation of what is possible on the Aizkorri massif. The local heroes ensured the crowd’s energy remained at a peak until the end. The final podium steps were filled with Spanish pride as Malen Osa y Sara Alonso completaron el podio. Their fight on the technical descents provided the narrative that the local fans craved, proving that the future of Catalan and Spanish trail running remains incredibly strong. We ended the day not at a Sidrería, but back in the village square, reflecting on the madness. The ACG Zegama Experience was more than a product launch or a marketing event. It was a raw immersion into the culture that demands this type of gear. We felt the mud, heard the bells, saw the pain, and witnessed the legends. We had taken the gear into its home, and the home had taken us in. Until next time, Zegama.

Leer más
Day 2: The Shoe, The Slop, and The Crescendo.

Day 2: The Shoe, The Slop, and The Crescendo.

If Day 1 was about immersing ourselves in the culture and the atmosphere of the base of the wall, Day 2 was the technical deep-dive. It was the moment the theoretical became physical. This was the day we got our hands, and more importantly, our feet -on the reason we were all here. We woke up at the lodge in San Sebastian to a distinct quiet, a sharp contrast to the previous night's txotx revelry. The Basque mist was hanging low over the hills, promising the exact conditions ACG thrives in. Breakfast was tactical, but the air was tight with anticipation. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with some of the athletes, which can be read in other blog posts, but one of our favorite moments was getting the opportunity to speak to Gabriella Lasalle and Liam Mudrow, two star athletes within ACG.  After this, we were given 20 minutes. Change. Gear up. No warm-ups. We were testing the shoe right now. Faster pace.  We didn’t head to a flat park. We headed into the raw hills just outside San Sebastian. ACG doesn’t believe in laboratory testing; they believe in real-world consequence. Our objective: a 9.7KM test run that was just to check out first impressions.  It was glorious chaos. As soon as we headed out, the rain came in. As if the weather knew that we had the task of exploring if ACG really does mean all conditions.  This is where the shoe needed to prove itself.  The ACG Zegama gripped instantly. The aggressive traction pattern dug into the mud, providing lateral stability on the off-camber sections. But the real surprise was the energy return. When we hit the rare sections of hard-packed fire road, the ZoomX foam came alive, giving that responsive pop that allows you to maintain momentum. We pushed hard on a steep, techy ascent, feeling the security of the midfoot lockdown. The descent was even faster, a trusting drop down slick rock and root-infested single track. We finished the 9.7K covered in mud, laughing, and incredibly impressed. The shoe had earned its name.  We scraped the worst of the mud off, kept the new shoes on (a necessary break-in strategy), and hopped into transport. We were heading deeper into the mountains, leaving the relative civility of San Sebastian behind. Lunch was hosted at another local Sidrería, but this one was different. It wasn't the large communal hall of Day 1; it was a more isolated. If the first lunch was a greeting, this lunch was about community. We were deeper into the circle. More cider poured from the barrels, accompanying incredibly flavorful cod omelets and, of course, massive plates of roasted peppers and perfectly grilled steak. The conversation was less polite networking and more raw trail-talk, comparing notes on the shoe’s performance and sharing theories on how to survive the marathon. We couldn't drive away from this Sidrería. Even if there was an offer to take the bus back, we, at Noirfonce imagined there were no roads leading out the back. So we imagined our next objective was a 14.6KM hike back towards the town of Zegama itself. This hike was a critical part of the ACG mindset. After running hard and eating well, we needed to spend time in the environment, moving slower, absorbing the landscape. This wasn't a casual stroll. The route took us through ancient beech forests, where the light was filtered and green, and up onto exposed ridges where the wind whipped the mist around us. The long, steady hike served a purpose. It grounded us. We were walking on parts of the course that would be teeming with life on race day, but now, they were silent, majestic, and intimidating. We were earning our respect for the terrain we would be cheering on tomorrow. As the 14.6KM mark approached, the silence began to break. We dropped off the high ridge, descending a technical trail toward the valley floor. We could hear it before we saw it. The sound of bells, the low hum of thousands of voices. We arrived in Zegama town. If you have never been to Zegama the day before the marathon, you cannot understand it. It is not just a trail race; it is the center of the Basque cultural universe for one weekend. The ambiance was in a absolute crescendo. The small mountain village, usually quiet, was a vibrant, chaotic organism. The streets were choked with people from all over Europe. Flags were hanging from every window. We saw the Joaldunak (the traditional Basque bell-ringers), their massive cowbells creating a rhythmic, almost hypnotic thud that resonated in the chest. The ACG team presence was strong, but we were just one part of the ecosystem. The town square was a wash of activity, as volunteers set up the start/finish gantry and elite athletes (some of whom we’d eaten lunch with just hours ago) were walking around, looking relaxed but focused. The energy was palpable; it was a physical weight of excitement and impending effort. The town was ready to explode. Reluctantly, we left the vibrating center of Zegama and headed back to our lodge in San Sebastian. The juxtaposition was striking. Going from the raw, noisy heart of the race prep to the quiet sophistication of the lodge. Dinner was different tonight. It was quiet. Serious. The revelry was gone, replaced by focus. This was purely about fueling up for The BIG Day. The menu was high-carb, lean protein; focused energy rather than flavor.  We checked our packs one last time. Final checks on the ACG Zegama shoes (we’d cleaned the worst of the mud off to let them dry, knowing they’d be soaked again within minutes tomorrow). Batteries charging. Hydration prepared. The talking was over. The tests were done. The crescendo in the village had settled into a low hum. It was time for the main event. Tomorrow, we would find out why this race is legendary. Tomorrow, we would witness the madness. Tomorrow is Race Day.

Leer más

Day 2: The Shoe, The Slop, and The Crescendo.

If Day 1 was about immersing ourselves in the culture and the atmosphere of the base of the wall, Day 2 was the technical deep-dive. It was the moment the theoretical became physical. This was the day we got our hands, and more importantly, our feet -on the reason we were all here. We woke up at the lodge in San Sebastian to a distinct quiet, a sharp contrast to the previous night's txotx revelry. The Basque mist was hanging low over the hills, promising the exact conditions ACG thrives in. Breakfast was tactical, but the air was tight with anticipation. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with some of the athletes, which can be read in other blog posts, but one of our favorite moments was getting the opportunity to speak to Gabriella Lasalle and Liam Mudrow, two star athletes within ACG.  After this, we were given 20 minutes. Change. Gear up. No warm-ups. We were testing the shoe right now. Faster pace.  We didn’t head to a flat park. We headed into the raw hills just outside San Sebastian. ACG doesn’t believe in laboratory testing; they believe in real-world consequence. Our objective: a 9.7KM test run that was just to check out first impressions.  It was glorious chaos. As soon as we headed out, the rain came in. As if the weather knew that we had the task of exploring if ACG really does mean all conditions.  This is where the shoe needed to prove itself.  The ACG Zegama gripped instantly. The aggressive traction pattern dug into the mud, providing lateral stability on the off-camber sections. But the real surprise was the energy return. When we hit the rare sections of hard-packed fire road, the ZoomX foam came alive, giving that responsive pop that allows you to maintain momentum. We pushed hard on a steep, techy ascent, feeling the security of the midfoot lockdown. The descent was even faster, a trusting drop down slick rock and root-infested single track. We finished the 9.7K covered in mud, laughing, and incredibly impressed. The shoe had earned its name.  We scraped the worst of the mud off, kept the new shoes on (a necessary break-in strategy), and hopped into transport. We were heading deeper into the mountains, leaving the relative civility of San Sebastian behind. Lunch was hosted at another local Sidrería, but this one was different. It wasn't the large communal hall of Day 1; it was a more isolated. If the first lunch was a greeting, this lunch was about community. We were deeper into the circle. More cider poured from the barrels, accompanying incredibly flavorful cod omelets and, of course, massive plates of roasted peppers and perfectly grilled steak. The conversation was less polite networking and more raw trail-talk, comparing notes on the shoe’s performance and sharing theories on how to survive the marathon. We couldn't drive away from this Sidrería. Even if there was an offer to take the bus back, we, at Noirfonce imagined there were no roads leading out the back. So we imagined our next objective was a 14.6KM hike back towards the town of Zegama itself. This hike was a critical part of the ACG mindset. After running hard and eating well, we needed to spend time in the environment, moving slower, absorbing the landscape. This wasn't a casual stroll. The route took us through ancient beech forests, where the light was filtered and green, and up onto exposed ridges where the wind whipped the mist around us. The long, steady hike served a purpose. It grounded us. We were walking on parts of the course that would be teeming with life on race day, but now, they were silent, majestic, and intimidating. We were earning our respect for the terrain we would be cheering on tomorrow. As the 14.6KM mark approached, the silence began to break. We dropped off the high ridge, descending a technical trail toward the valley floor. We could hear it before we saw it. The sound of bells, the low hum of thousands of voices. We arrived in Zegama town. If you have never been to Zegama the day before the marathon, you cannot understand it. It is not just a trail race; it is the center of the Basque cultural universe for one weekend. The ambiance was in a absolute crescendo. The small mountain village, usually quiet, was a vibrant, chaotic organism. The streets were choked with people from all over Europe. Flags were hanging from every window. We saw the Joaldunak (the traditional Basque bell-ringers), their massive cowbells creating a rhythmic, almost hypnotic thud that resonated in the chest. The ACG team presence was strong, but we were just one part of the ecosystem. The town square was a wash of activity, as volunteers set up the start/finish gantry and elite athletes (some of whom we’d eaten lunch with just hours ago) were walking around, looking relaxed but focused. The energy was palpable; it was a physical weight of excitement and impending effort. The town was ready to explode. Reluctantly, we left the vibrating center of Zegama and headed back to our lodge in San Sebastian. The juxtaposition was striking. Going from the raw, noisy heart of the race prep to the quiet sophistication of the lodge. Dinner was different tonight. It was quiet. Serious. The revelry was gone, replaced by focus. This was purely about fueling up for The BIG Day. The menu was high-carb, lean protein; focused energy rather than flavor.  We checked our packs one last time. Final checks on the ACG Zegama shoes (we’d cleaned the worst of the mud off to let them dry, knowing they’d be soaked again within minutes tomorrow). Batteries charging. Hydration prepared. The talking was over. The tests were done. The crescendo in the village had settled into a low hum. It was time for the main event. Tomorrow, we would find out why this race is legendary. Tomorrow, we would witness the madness. Tomorrow is Race Day.

Leer más
Day 1: ACG Zegama Experience

Day 1: ACG Zegama Experience

There is a feeling you get when you land in the Basque Country. It's a mixture of damp earth, ancient secrets, and a sudden, primal need to move your legs. Our arrival for the ACG Zegama Experience was less of a check-in and more of an immersion. ACG (All Conditions Gear) doesn't just do events; they do takeovers. Our host lodge in San Sebastian had been completely transformed. Every corner of the rustically elegant central room had that ACG takeover executed with nothing but love, attention to detail and true obsession. From the entrance mat to the specialized gear stations, we were surrounded by an aesthetic that balances raw performance with refined utility. The vibe was instant: we were here to work, to play, and to understand. Arrival was a blur of reunion hugs, new introductions, and an immediate fueling strategy. ACG knows how to welcome a tribe. The spread of initial arrival snacks and the subsequent lunch were a masterclass in Basque hospitality. It wasn't just food; it was fuel designed for the environment; hearty, artisanal, and incredibly satisfying. As we met the mix of other retailers, passionate athletes, and influential publications, the energy began to hum. We were a diverse group, but united by a shared reverence for the mountains and the unique madness that is Zegama. After fueling, the energy shifted. It was time. The pleasantries were over. We needed to change. The mountains were calling. We headed south, the smooth coastal roads giving way to the jagged, impossible greens of the Goierri valley. Our destination: Zegama. Specifically, the notorious KB (Kilómetro Vertical) Challenge. The Zegama Vertical Kilometer is legendary not just for its brutality: climbing 1,015 meters of positive gain in just over 3 kilometers, but for its unique final section. The organizers often shorten the timed portion slightly to finish at the chabola of Itzubiaga when weather demands, but the true myth lies in the final, neutralized scrambles of the "Wall." We weren't competing; we were the support crew. We hiked from the town center towards the base of the wall, ascending through the dense, muddy beech forests that define the first half of the course. The atmosphere here is thick. You can feel the moisture clinging to the trees. As we emerged onto the exposed ridge, the sound of the crowd hits you long before you see them. Our job was to climb higher, positioning ourselves along the final, steepest pitches to scream, cheer, and literally push the athletes forward. It is a primal, beautiful, chaotic symphony of suffering and support. Watching the elite KB field explode up that final slope is a spiritual experience. Two names stood out today, encapsulating both the present and future of the sport. First, Nienke Brinkman. There is something otherworldly about her efficiency. Watching her glide over terrain that had us scrambling on all fours is almost disrespectful to physics. She won, making it look elegant. Nienke’s dominance isn't just about raw speed; it's about a deep, intuitive connection with technical, punishing terrain. Her performance today cemented her special relationship with Zegama, she is a force that seems to thrive on the precise type of suffering this mountain demands. And then, on the other end of the experience spectrum, there is Gabriela Lasalle. She took 6th place today, but that number doesn't tell the full story. Gabriela is a young, promising contender, and watching her fight for every meter in that brutal field was inspiring. She has the kind of grit and raw talent that marks her as a definite future contender for the global trail running crown. Zegama rewards those who can suffer longest, and Gabriela showed today she has that capacity in abundance. Remember this name. As the sun dipped behind the Aizkorri massif, we made our way to a local Sidrería for the official debrief and feast. A true Basque Sidrería Experience is not a quiet affair. It's a communal ritual centered around cider, and enormous quantities of food. This was where the "Experience" part of ACG really unified. We weren't just retailers, media, and athletes anymore; we were a collective that had shared the muddy trails and the deafening wall. I found myself sharing steak with the team from I-Run, shooting some pictures with the team from 25 gramos, and comparing notes on gear durability with the people behind Foot District, and deep in a technical conversation with the editorial force of KisstheMountain... and of course, we cannot mention our good friends from Mental Athletic. You know when they're around, it's real.  We drank cider poured directly from the txotx  (the massive chestnut barrels), shared incredible cuts of txuleta, and toasted to the mountains, the madness, and the fact that Day 1 was only the beginning.  

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Day 1: ACG Zegama Experience

There is a feeling you get when you land in the Basque Country. It's a mixture of damp earth, ancient secrets, and a sudden, primal need to move your legs. Our arrival for the ACG Zegama Experience was less of a check-in and more of an immersion. ACG (All Conditions Gear) doesn't just do events; they do takeovers. Our host lodge in San Sebastian had been completely transformed. Every corner of the rustically elegant central room had that ACG takeover executed with nothing but love, attention to detail and true obsession. From the entrance mat to the specialized gear stations, we were surrounded by an aesthetic that balances raw performance with refined utility. The vibe was instant: we were here to work, to play, and to understand. Arrival was a blur of reunion hugs, new introductions, and an immediate fueling strategy. ACG knows how to welcome a tribe. The spread of initial arrival snacks and the subsequent lunch were a masterclass in Basque hospitality. It wasn't just food; it was fuel designed for the environment; hearty, artisanal, and incredibly satisfying. As we met the mix of other retailers, passionate athletes, and influential publications, the energy began to hum. We were a diverse group, but united by a shared reverence for the mountains and the unique madness that is Zegama. After fueling, the energy shifted. It was time. The pleasantries were over. We needed to change. The mountains were calling. We headed south, the smooth coastal roads giving way to the jagged, impossible greens of the Goierri valley. Our destination: Zegama. Specifically, the notorious KB (Kilómetro Vertical) Challenge. The Zegama Vertical Kilometer is legendary not just for its brutality: climbing 1,015 meters of positive gain in just over 3 kilometers, but for its unique final section. The organizers often shorten the timed portion slightly to finish at the chabola of Itzubiaga when weather demands, but the true myth lies in the final, neutralized scrambles of the "Wall." We weren't competing; we were the support crew. We hiked from the town center towards the base of the wall, ascending through the dense, muddy beech forests that define the first half of the course. The atmosphere here is thick. You can feel the moisture clinging to the trees. As we emerged onto the exposed ridge, the sound of the crowd hits you long before you see them. Our job was to climb higher, positioning ourselves along the final, steepest pitches to scream, cheer, and literally push the athletes forward. It is a primal, beautiful, chaotic symphony of suffering and support. Watching the elite KB field explode up that final slope is a spiritual experience. Two names stood out today, encapsulating both the present and future of the sport. First, Nienke Brinkman. There is something otherworldly about her efficiency. Watching her glide over terrain that had us scrambling on all fours is almost disrespectful to physics. She won, making it look elegant. Nienke’s dominance isn't just about raw speed; it's about a deep, intuitive connection with technical, punishing terrain. Her performance today cemented her special relationship with Zegama, she is a force that seems to thrive on the precise type of suffering this mountain demands. And then, on the other end of the experience spectrum, there is Gabriela Lasalle. She took 6th place today, but that number doesn't tell the full story. Gabriela is a young, promising contender, and watching her fight for every meter in that brutal field was inspiring. She has the kind of grit and raw talent that marks her as a definite future contender for the global trail running crown. Zegama rewards those who can suffer longest, and Gabriela showed today she has that capacity in abundance. Remember this name. As the sun dipped behind the Aizkorri massif, we made our way to a local Sidrería for the official debrief and feast. A true Basque Sidrería Experience is not a quiet affair. It's a communal ritual centered around cider, and enormous quantities of food. This was where the "Experience" part of ACG really unified. We weren't just retailers, media, and athletes anymore; we were a collective that had shared the muddy trails and the deafening wall. I found myself sharing steak with the team from I-Run, shooting some pictures with the team from 25 gramos, and comparing notes on gear durability with the people behind Foot District, and deep in a technical conversation with the editorial force of KisstheMountain... and of course, we cannot mention our good friends from Mental Athletic. You know when they're around, it's real.  We drank cider poured directly from the txotx  (the massive chestnut barrels), shared incredible cuts of txuleta, and toasted to the mountains, the madness, and the fact that Day 1 was only the beginning.  

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