Zdeno Chara Teams Up with New Balance for NYC Marathon

Earlier this year, New Balance set out to make running more inclusive. As part of the Boston-based brand's new "Run Your Way" campaign, it has launched new shoes and apparel designed to make everyone feel welcome on the road. Leading up to this year's New York City Marathon, New Balance teamed up with NHL legend Zdeno Chara.

The two partners recently hosted a charity shoe distribution event at P.S. 92 in Harlem, along with Olympic runners Elle St. Pierre and Emily Mackay, to distribute free shoes to students. As part of the exciting announcement, Chara spoke with Men's Journal about retirement, training for marathons, and the importance of philanthropy.

All of your fans want to know, how is retirement treating you?

"It's been a little bit of a change, but it's been a good change. I get to spend a lot more time with my family - especially my kids, attending their sports events. Driving them to and from school. Traveling, taking different trips this summer, and just being a lot more flexible. It's definitely an adjustment, but it's a good adjustment."

Speaking of changes, how has the shift from hockey to long-distance running been? And how is training for the New York City Marathon going so far?

"The shift from hockey to long-distance running hasn't been that bad because I used running and biking all my career as a preparation for the season. Once I retired, I obviously didn't skate as much, but I kept my training with biking and running the same. I started going longer distances and met with some people who helped prepare me for a marathon. Training for long-distance races is always hard, but at the same time, it's a lot of fun. I'm meeting a lot of new people, and the running community is so friendly. It's always a new experience, and it's very humbling."

What do you hope to improve on from the Boston Marathon?

"I'm not trying to put too much pressure on myself. Every marathon is different, and I'm trying to be very humble about it. I don't go into the race with a set number and then not feeling well and pushing it somewhere where it could hurt you or cause you not to finish. My goal is always to finish first and feel strong throughout the whole race. If it's one of those days you feel good, you can try to push for a better time. But I don't think I'm going to start the marathon with a set goal."

How did this partnership with New Balance come together?

"New Balance is basically a sister company of Warrior (a hockey company). So, I've been under Warrior with hockey equipment for many years. As part of the program, you're using New Balance clothing, shoes, and gear. But when I shifted from hockey to running, I became a lot more visible in New Balance stuff. The partnership has been there for many years; it's just a shift from Warrior to New Balance. And I'm really enjoying wearing New Balance because they have a lot of great products. Those also give me the best shoes that I can feel as a big fellow, which is the FuelCell v3.

You just answered my next question about your preferred running shoes. So, what is your favorite part about the FuelCell v3?

"I really like the support of the carbon fiber - especially on landing. For a bigger guy who is still on the heavier side, it's very important that I save my feet from the rebound of the pavement as much as I can. That way, you do not have as much stress on your lower body deeper into races."

You just came from a community event with New Balance; is that correct?

"Yes, it was today. We went to the Harlem location, and it was with the New York Road Runners. We were distributing some shoes to elementary school kids. We handed out hundreds of shoes to different children and families. Something to be active, running, and encouraging them to be outside."

When you're not working out, what shoes do you wear?

"Right now, it's the FuelCell Propel v4. But I switch out shoes all the time because I just enjoy the brand and different colors. So, I'm always switching it up."

To further stoke the hype about the upcoming race, New Balance recently unveiled the official New Balance 2023 TCS New York City Marathon Collection. Every piece encapsulates New York City at its core.

Inspired by the city full of crossroads and intersections with people from different cultures and backgrounds, combined with the brand's dominant position at the intersection of sport and culture, the collection represents this intersectionality within the designs of the apparel.

"At this year’s 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, we are excited to tie in New Balance’s position between sport and culture," says Tom Carleo, New Balance Vice President of Performance Running.

"We always ensure some of our most advanced products are a part of this collection to serve the global running community who come from all over the world to run the marathon. This year, we are excited to include our Luminous assortment in the apparel collection and custom colorways of our most advanced super shoe, the FuelCell Super Comp Elite v3, and the debut of the Fresh Foam 1080v13. This collection is aimed to help all runners feel, perform, and look their best at the marathon this year."

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