Indie brand releases singlet only available to Boston qualifiers

The Boston Marathon is perhaps the most desirable foot race in the world because of its model of exclusivity. As all marathoners know, you’ve got to qualify to run Boston. The average runner takes eight marathons to make the cut, meaning that, for many standing on the line in Hopkinton, years of hard work have gone into getting there.

New indie running apparel brand Tracksmith are adopting that exclusivity model with their latest releases: the NYC and BQ singlets. The NYC singlet comes in navy and white and will be available to the public as a limited edition. Perhaps Tracksmith will have to institute a lottery in order for you to get your hands on this retro number in future years. For now, it’s available while supplies last.

The BQ singlet is just like the race: you’ve got to qualify to be able to purchase one. The singlet will only be available to those that have both qualified and registered for Boston 2015. And there is only one colourway: crimson and white, no doubt a nod to Harvard, another celebrated Boston bastion of meritocracy. It’s not surprising that Tracksmith would come up with a limited Boston-themed garment, as their headquarters is about halfway down the marathon course. Headed by Luke Scheybeler, co-founder of the boutique brand Rapha, Tracksmith are mining golden age nostalgia with their modest but growing line of hip-yet-functional running apparel.

After you place your order, Tracksmith with cross-reference your name with the Boston Marathon entry list before sending you out this classic and surely coveted bit of kit. Worry not, if you want to buy it as a gift for someone you know that is running Boston 2015, you can indicate this in the order and Tracksmith will sort out the details. Each singlet is based on their Van Cortlandt, which is made from Swiss mesh and cut to fit to the body.

Each limited edition singlet goes for $70USD.