To hold the empowering role of Nike Running Coach isn’t as easy of a task as it may seem. From hosting regular running meets to sharing advice on staying in top-form, it takes a unique dedication to the sport as well as a connection to the communities that occupy it. For several years, London-born physiotherapist Manni Ovola has done just that – training gregariously with a diverse range of runners while constantly searching for new ways to inspire newcomers.

In order to bring this enriched knowledge to the groups he coaches, Ovola turns to his experiences to explore and harness the cultural reference points that surround him. Presenting a gateway into new perspectives of mind and body, he aims to introduce music, style, and even food into the traditionally staid running landscape.

As the coach cultivates an inviting and more expressive world of daily running, Nike explores how this accessible sport has grown through pursuits like Ovola’s. In collaboration with Hypebeast, the brand goes behind three running stories with “InvincibleGPS” – tracking their sprint across the city whilst discovering how their regular routes have informed their inspiring lives.

For Ovola, a new day starts with a run at the break of dawn. Tying up his pair of Nike’s Invincible 3 sneakers, he heads out into the central hub of the city that’s slowly rousing in the early hours. The visuals reveal why performance footwear is one of the runner’s top considerations for getting a run right. As he stretches out before a long distance journey, Ovola shares how the rocker-shaped silhouette are the go-to in his running-ready wardrobe.

Geared up for his run, the physiotherapist begins at Marble Arch, leading across the river and ending at the speaker corner of Hyde Park. His typical path is plotted on a detailed map that also highlights Tower Bridge, the bust of Nelson Mandela and other spots along the way that have influenced his sporting story.

As he passes the iconic London landmarks in the serenity of the morning, Ovola halts to a momentary stop to take in the awe-inspiring scenes. Throughout the entire journey, there is one spot that Ovola particularly savors – the serpentine lake in Hyde Park. Overlooking various galleries and museums, it is at this culturally-rich point that he slows down his pace. With the Invincible 3’s lightweight ZoomX foam base and embedded billow cables, the on-the-go physiotherapist is able to pause from brisk strides with softened impact, lending comfort and ease to these sporadic moments. Here, he loops around the lake and reflects on the joys of the sport, thinking about the ways he can channel this into the next running meet.

Explore how Manni Ovola uplifts the daily running scene with cultural experiences in the feature above. For more information of the Invincible 3 sneaker, check out the Nike website.