New Balance Unveils the ‘OUT-AND-BACK,’ Finally Offering Alternative to the ‘TRACK’

BOSTON — Acknowledging that some runners prefer the reassurance of returning the exact way they came rather than committing to a loop route, New Balance announced plans today to construct a state-of-the-art “OUT-AND-BACK” facility as an alternative to the “TRACK.”

Citing the widely accepted statistic that running is roughly 87 percent mental, New Balance noted that running to a clear halfway point, turning around, and heading back can be less psychologically daunting for some than running in a circle on a track.

The projected $400 million world-class facility will feature a 100-meter straightaway, for a total of 200 meters roundtrip. Runners must touch the designated turnaround wall before returning to the start/finish line. According to sources, the OUT-AND-BACK will be hydraulically banked, ensuring consistency with the TRACK despite having no turns.

A New Balance spokesperson explained the logic behind the new facility.

“It’s a debate as old as the sport: loop or out-and-back? At New Balance, promoting inclusivity is at the core of what we do, so we asked ourselves, ‘Why not both?’ The groundbreaking ‘OUT-AND-BACK’ is the ultimate expression of our Run Your Way mentality. Because, the only right way to run is your way.

As we like to say, all records are meant to be broken, and the ‘OUT-AND-BACK’ will soon serve as a new home to national record-breaking performances, including top performances from New Balance athletes, assuming they prefer racing on a straightaway instead of the traditional track format.”

The nearly 500,000-square-foot-facility will be constructed adjacent to the 455,000-square-foot TRACK, which opened in 2022 at the Boston Landing campus.

At press time, New Balance was preparing to announce plans for a third facility: a fully interchangeable loop-and-out-and-back complex that can easily switch configurations within several days.