A born-and-raised Bostonian, Lee Glandorf is a writer, marketer, and endurance athlete with a sharp eye on where sport and style meet. She’s the creator of The Sweat Lookbook, a weekly dispatch on the aesthetics of performance, and a longtime contributor to the running space—most notably during her seven years at Tracksmith. For our Boston Marathon pop-up, Lee brings her no-nonsense perspective and deep local roots to the table, helping shape something we felt was missing: a space that centers women not as a statement, but as a standard.

Let’s introduce you... For someone meeting you for the first time, how do you usually introduce yourself?

Lee: Oooh it depends on the context but the shortest answer: I’m a marketer, writer, and endurance athlete, born and raised in Boston, MA. A little longer: I’m a twin, amateur historian, vintage-lover, and a new mom. I write a weekly newsletter on the intersection of sports and fashion called The Sweat Lookbook.

We love The Sweat Lookbook and look forward to it in our inbox each week. What was the motivation behind launching your substack?

Lee: The motivation was the 2024 Paris Olympics and also a bout of postpartum mania! It was very much one of those lightbulb moments: I was excited about the discourse about sports and fashion in the lead-up to the Games; but didn’t feel like there was anyone examining it from the perspective I wanted: that of a female athlete. So I decided, why not write what I wanted to read? For context, I’ve been working in sports and fashion throughout my career. I was also a history major in college (with an emphasis on women’s and cultural history), so I like to bring that sensibility to my writing.

In your newsletter, you explore various facets of sports and fashion. How do you select the topics/interview you share? What do you hope your readers take away from your insights?

Lee: I have a very haphazard editorial calendar where I try to stay on top of what events might be happening that can ground the newsletter. This is also where I keep a running list of women and brands who I want to interview. I try to follow my gut – if I’m excited about something, I trust my readers will be too. For example, my most-read story was a reflection on the State of Running Fashion after the New York City Marathon. It was a bit of a rant, but it resonated. Passion and a point of view make a difference!

I hope readers come away with the sense that there’s no one way to dress for performance. Women and nonbinary folks carry an extra burden when they step onto the track, or field, or ice. How we decide to present ourselves says a lot about us, but also about our society. I’m interested in unpacking that and showcasing what it means to compete within this framework. Hopefully, it also helps people, especially at brands, think with a little more nuance about the female experience in sports.

You’ve worked in the running industry for a while - tell us more about the previous hats you’ve worn?

Lee: I was at Tracksmith for seven years, first in communications and then as a marketer. While I was there we were a small team – when I started we were fewer than 10 and when I left just around 40. So you name it, I’ve done it: planned photoshoots, organized pop-ups, hosted live podcasts, worked races, managed collaborations, edited newsletters, posted social media, written catalogs, hand-delivered samples to editors, held the boom-mic for videos, the list goes on… It was a lot of fun and a great way to get experience in the industry, especially at a time when things were changing a lot!

What’s exciting you most about the running industry right now?

Lee: I’m obsessed with the nichification of running. When I got started in the industry, there weren’t a lot of boutique players, which meant the trends and culture were being driven by the big guys. Now there are so many smaller players, many of whom are led by really creative folks who are showcasing different POVs on running, which are hopefully welcoming more and more people in. My only wish is that there could be more women leading this charge on the brand side, which is one reason I am obsessed with Pruzan!

How did the idea for the Boston Pop Up come together?

Lee: I’ve been ruminating on the idea since the NYC Marathon last fall. I loved seeing all the brands do their thing, but felt like it was – quite frankly – a sea of bros. There’s been so much expansion in running in the past few years, but so much of the buzz has gone to brands led by men. I’ve been loving what Running Wylder has been doing in SF and pitched her the idea of showcasing women a bit more in Boston. I’m hoping this is just the first step in highlighting more women in this space!

What makes the Boston Marathon special to you?

Lee: I’m a born and raised Bostonian. I take a lot of pride in that. So I’ve been going to the race since I was little (my mom’s old house was on the course). It’s such a special day for the city and truly marks the beginning of spring – even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Because Boston is a smaller city, unlike the other majors, it feels like we’re completely overwhelmed by runners during the race weekend. It’s a special feeling to be a racer or just a fan. You can’t escape it (and wouldn’t want to.) Plus, who doesn’t want a Monday off work?

Any tips for racers?

Lee: Everyone says it, but the early downhills can seriously cook your legs. It’s hard to be conservative here, but you have to force yourself! There’s also a tough hill when you go over the highway right after Newton Lower Falls – don’t freak out, but that’s really where the Newton Hills start. Take a deep breath and dig in!

Ideal day in Boston?

Lee: It would start with a run in Franklin Park with my husband, followed by breakfast at Ula Cafe or Jadu in Jamaica Plain. Then I’d meet my twin sister in Cambridge to do some vintage shopping at We Thieves in Central Square. We’d walk to Bow Street Market to browse the vintage shops there and meet friends for a glass of wine and a cheese plate on the patio at Rebel Rebel. I’d head to Harvard Square to meet my husband and baby at the Harvard Book Store and pick up a new novel. Then we’d go to Shay’s Wine Bar, sit outside with one more glass of wine, people-watch, and have some fries before heading home for some real dinner and an early bedtime.

Quick ones…

• Substack you’d never skip reading? Lee: As Seen On By Ochuko
• Coffee order? Lee: Medium coffee with milk
• The Pruzan piece that most catches your eye? Lee: I love the cut of the Hourglass Sports Bra. It’s functional yet fashionable and one I’m keen to pair with jeans.
• Unrelated to sports or fitness, what's a brand you’d love to see collab in the running space? Lee: Oooooh, I am completely obsessed with Ash World, the designers behind hotels like Hotel Peter Paul in New Orleans. I’d love to see them design a city-specific running kit and experience.
• Current favorite running shoe? Lee: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
• Last great book you’ve read? Lee: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is worth the hype, finished it in a weekend