Up There Athletics x New Balance: Different Strides, Same Lane.

FuelCell Rebel v5 – ‘Same Lane’ 

Releasing in-store from Thursday, 30th October and online from 9am Monday, 3rd November.  

The 2024 Melbourne Marathon brought together an extraordinary 42,000 runners—the largest gathering in the event’s history. It was more than a race; it was a celebration of a movement that continues to flourish, not only in our capital cities but across the country. We run for countless reasons: to test ourselves, to compete, to grow, to feel, to find joy in the rhythm of our own stride. Some chase improvement, others savour the triumph of simply finishing. Each journey is deeply personal, yet together we are bound by the same heartbeat—the shared love of running. 

This project is an ode to that connection. Through film, animation, stop motion, and photography, we seek to capture running in its purest form. Not as a linear story, but as an art-house tapestry—fragmented, layered, alive. It is a portrait of community, of belonging, and of the beauty found in the spaces between effort and expression. It is running stripped of boundaries, where differences in background, identity, and circumstance dissolve, and what remains is unity. Together, we run. 

For our first collaborative footwear project, we wanted to carry that same spirit into the product itself. This shoe is more than an object; it is a vessel for storytelling, a statement of who we are. It is instantly, unmistakably Up There Athletics—bold, unapologetic, and deeply considered. The palette of black, white, and fluorescent green channels energy and movement, while soft touches of pink bring balance and warmth. An un-dyed, off-white midsole nods to both the aged sneakers of the past and the ‘prototype culture’ that continues to shape modern running. Multiple lace options offer subtle moments of personalisation, while New Balance’s iconic ‘Sure Lace’ quietly ties us back to a shared history with the brand—a romance of tradition meeting innovation. 

Designed first and foremost to be run into the ground, to carry you through 500km of sweat and stride, this shoe is also a canvas for everyday life. Worn, worn-in, or styled with intention, it leaves room for individuality and expression. It is not just footwear—it is a symbol of the story we run together.