Stirling Sports x adidas: Connect the Clubs – Part One

Stirling Sports x adidas: Connect the Clubs – Part One

The Event: Face-paced. Style-forward. Community Driven.

When running meets style, something special happens. On the 24th of July, Stirling Sports hosted “Connect the Clubs” - an immersive nighttime experience in Ōtautahi. Local run clubs, creators and adidas partners came together for a launch that was fast-paced, style-forward and community-driven. The reasons for why many run.

To celebrate the release of adidas’s Evo SL’s, five local run clubs went head-to-head in relays to learn how the shoe, runs, performs and supports. With high energy on the track, through to supporters and crew it was no surprise how well the Evo SL met expectations. Designed for speed training, adidas’s lightest trainer in their lineup and built for speed, without sacrificing comfort or style. The Lightstrike Pro midsole delivered bounce and responsiveness during warm ups, while the streamlined mesh upper kept things breathable. On-foot the Evo SL quickly proved they’re not just crafted for performance - they have street-ready appeal, making them the kind of shoe you’d want to keep on post run.

But Connect the Clubs wasn’t only about testing footwear - it was about creating connection. Guests could explore interactive sneakers stations, enjoy refreshments between races and capture the night at branded photo walls and neon installations. A live DJ kept the energy high, blending sport with everyday living in a way that felt fresh and inviting! For many, it was a chance to meet other Run Clubs, share running journeys and experience first-hand what happens when adidas and Stirling Sports bring community together. Connect the Clubs reinforced adidas’s mission of mixing training and community engagement. By bringing individuals together to understand that the shoes aren’t just apart of your running gear kit, but they’re apart of a lifestyle.

Meet the Teams: The faces on the track

Five of Christchurch’s most recognisable run clubs tested the shoes in friendly but fierce relays! Each squad bought their own pace and personality to the track - proving that when clubs unite, competition fuels connection.

ARC (Another Running Club) is known for their consistency and their performance driven-culture, ARC brought sharp pacing and discipline to the track. Their runners showed what the Evo SL can do when pushed at speed.

True to their name, Social Striders brought the fun! With plenty of support from sidelines they always remind everyone that running is about connection, just as much as it is competition.

A collective crew from The Independents came together, to prove you don’t need a formal run club to be apart of a family feel. Their energy showed how inclusive running has become.

The Sixfifty community brought their style to the track, showing that pace looks even better when matched with personality. Their presence reminded everyone that style doesn’t stop at the finish line — it runs with you.

Finally, meet Momentum - electric and impossible to miss. Turning running into a show, proving that when passion and fun collide, the whole community feels it. Momentum celebrated every stride the entire night.

In the end, Connect the Clubs was more than a product launch - it was a celebration of pace, passion and people. The Evo SL wasn’t just revealed; it was experienced, lived, and proven by the very community it was designed for. Christchurch showed up, the clubs showed up, and adidas and Stirling Sports delivered a night where running and lifestyle truly connected.

Thanks for bringing the heat Ōtautahi. Auckland, you’re up next.

Shop the new adidas Evo SL at Stirling Sports now.