VEJA x CÉSAR VILLALBA

César is a runner, a cyclist, a designer, and an artist from Madrid, living in Los Angeles. We met him running in Girona a couple of years ago, and we kept in touch. Every time he is in the city we make sure to go for a run or a coffee.

Veja is a brand we’ve followed closely for years. Their unique blend of style and sustainability, and now performance with their new running collection, made them a brand to watch. They had already collaborated with César on a couple of launches of the Condor 3 Advanced, and when we heard they were launching an Off-Road version, we immediately contacted them to do something for the release.

We had a call with César and the Veja team, and started planning what would become our first activation at Temple Running Girona. We wanted a cool format that could showcase the characteristics of the shoe. César is also a cyclist, and since it’s a “gravel shoe” we thought it would be great to mix cycling and running in a unique event.

The format was simple but fun. César would hide in the woods, and people would need to hunt him down, on foot or by bike. Participants were given a location 10 minutes before the start, and then the race began. Cyclists and runners started the hunt and spread on different directions. Runners had the opportunity to test the new Condor Off-Road, and the first man and the first woman to spot César won a pair!

After the race, we went back to the shop together, runners and riders, on an actual social run and ride. Back at Temple, we had Marc de Quintana on the DJ set, and Ivan prepared a special catering for the occasion: purple, green, and beige tapas matching the colors of the collab. And of course, natural orange wine and crafted IPA custom labeled for the event.

The Veja team joined too for what became our first big event, and the international pre-launch of the Veja Condor Off-Road in collaboration with César Villalba.

Thanks to everyone who joined such a special night, which for us marked the beginning of a long journey.