Castle Harbour
Bermuda's recovery zone.
A Conversation With Nate Crail
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Nate Crail is a Filipino-American non-binary runner based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and member of Team Pruzan.
Nate's relationship with running has evolved from obligation to passion. Growing up as an 800-meter runner, they performed without truly enjoying the sport. "I wasn't in love with running at all. I did it because I was good at it, not necessarily because I liked it." Everything changed in 2020 during covid:
"Running became a reason to get out the door. I learned to slow down and take everything in more conscientiously, rather than having to do interval workouts several times a week."
Living with their parents during this period, away from structured training, Nate rediscovered running's essence. Their renewed perspective led to unexpected achievements—winning a half marathon and securing a sub-elite entry to Chicago Marathon.
Santa Fe's terrain transformed their training approach. "Before I moved here, I could count on one hand the number of times I'd trail run. Now, I have so many opportunities—whether through forests, in alpine meadows, or through canyons." Atalaya Mountain, rising above 9,000 feet, became a favorite route:
"You go from shrubby terrain to ponderosa pines at the summit, which definitely feels like a slightly different climate. You get to look all over Santa Fe towards the west. It's really beautiful."
Nate has Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and Boston Marathons under their belt. "I chose Tokyo and Boston this year because I'm trying to get the six-star medal that Abbott World Marathon Majors offers." Running in sub-elite fields offers unique perspectives. The New York City Marathon particularly stood out, beginning at MoMA alongside professionals. "The pros were in the first two buses, and we were in the next two. We drove to an indoor track facility on Staten Island to warm-up, and it was this whole different level of race-day preparation."
For Nate, performance and self-expression intertwine. Pruzan's aesthetic speaks to their sensibility:
"There's so much nightlife inspiration and also that retro-futurist look in Pruzan's designs. It's fun to curate a whole outfit around the pieces and really express who I am through my clothes"
They appreciate both function and form. "Not only do I find them super comfy whether on long runs or race day, and they fit all of my gels and race-day fuel well, but compared to a lot of other kits available, they have a unique styling that really helps me stand out in the field." That personal touch extends to customization. “I dyed the Hourglass sports bra in the lead-up to Berlin. I had these Nike shoes with bright pink elements, and I thought it would be cool to pair both bright pink arm sleeves and a pink sports bra with that.”
The Boston Marathon 2025
Tokyo Marathon 2025
Berlin Marathon 2024
New York City Marathon 2024
Chicago Marathon 2023
Marathon training requires discipline beyond motivation. "When I'm still trying to get out the door at 8 or 9 PM on a weekday, it's 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside, cold and snowy and icy—what really gets me out the door is there are still time goals I want to achieve."
“Running gives me a reason to travel, to explore a place through my feet. Sydney just got added to the World Marathon Majors. Cape Town, Shanghai—there’s so much to see.”
For Nate, running is about more than racing—it’s about movement, community, and the ability to see the world differently. Community and content fuel consistent training. "While it's not every day, running with my run club or friends is super important, even if it's not fast or anything. Building that community is something that gets me out the door as well." "It's become my main time to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. I'll think, 'I need to get to the next chapter' or 'I really want to listen to this episode.'" Their advice for beginners emphasizes patience. "The biggest thing I've seen is not jumping into the deep end too fast—taking time over years to build up your mileage and incorporating workouts, recovery, strength training, and fueling. One step at a time."
Nate's journey continues. Watch the full film with Nate now:
