At The Running Event in Austin, Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder and president of Heartbreak Hill Running Company, sat down with industry leaders from Saucony Jason Faustino, Director of Energy & Collaboration, Saucony, Co-founder of influential New York sneaker spot Extra Butter , and Fabrizio Gamberini Global Chief Brand Officer and President of Vibram Corp, to discuss the intersection of fashion and performance. The trio highlighted how today’s runners want it all: technical innovation and fashion-forward design. Retailers are responding by making running more inviting, blending health, wellness, and self-expression.
For Dan, running is a way to connect, express, and inspire. Fashion plays a huge role in that connection. By leading with design, Heartbreak creates a space where runners can find shoes and gear that feel as good as they look. It’s about more than performance—it’s about identity.
As running continues to evolve, Dan and Heartbreak are at the forefront, proving that the future of running is as much about style and community as it is about the miles.