New Balance Brings a Pizza Pop-Up to the Runners of New York

A pie of pizza on a bar in front of a neon green New Balance logo sign

Run for pizza? Yes, please. This week saw the grand opening of the NB Pizza Co., a pop-up pizza shop designed to reward runners for their hard work. New Balance is building off the success of their Runaway Pub for the Virgin Money London Marathon earlier this year, where runners were able to earn pints of British ale. Here they have repeated that model, but with a New York twist: the classic New York slice of pizza.

“As we were thinking about the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, we thought ‘What is more New York than pizza?’” said Andy Downin, New Balance Head of Global Running Marketing, at last night’s launch party. “There is something about the perfect slice that drives people not only in New York, but globally. People come from all over for the New York City Marathon, and they want that quintessential New York slice.”

New Balance logo and "Will run for pizza" spray painted on a white wall.

Every runner in or traveling to New York in the next few weeks—whether or not they are running this year’s marathon—can earn free pizza at this one-of-a-kind shop in the heart of Manhattan.

So how exactly does it work?

“You download Strava, you find the challenge for New Balance Miles for Pizza, and join that challenge,” explained Downin. “Then you log your miles on Strava, come into the shop, and redeem your miles for free pizza. It’s that easy!”

A sign that says "Run all the miles eat all the pizza"

Located at 47 East 34th Street, NB Pizza Co. officially opens on October 11 and will stay open through Marathon Monday, November 4. You can check out NB Pizza Co.’s website for their hours of operation.

The spacious pizza shop oozes New York City with a dash New Balance flair thrown in. The walls are covered in pictures of some of New Balance’s greatest athletes such as the legendary Jenny Simpson, as well as New Balance’s 2019 TCS New York City Marathon event gear line.

The pizza is provided by L’Industrie Pizzeria in Williamsburg, and there is a full menu of options ranging from the more traditional “Pepperuni Meat Lover’s” slice to the decadent dessert pizza “Treat Yo Self”.

A pizza menu drawn in chalk on a chalkboard.

Runners can keep their eye on New Balance’s social media channels to learn about exclusive programs and activations that will be taking place at NB Pizza Co. over the coming weeks, including Friday Happy Hour runs and Saturday long runs (i.e. more chances to earn pizza!).

The Miles for Pizza challenge officially began October 2. Thousands have joined and are logging their miles. Their free pizza will be waiting for them at NB Pizza Co. and New Balance—along with the entire city—is ready to welcome runners from near and far to this year’s TCS New York City Marathon.

Author: Katie Manzi