Beyond the Finish Line: Exploring lululemon’s 2026 Running Collection and the "Yet" Manifesto
Technical fabrics meet nostalgic hues in this 2026 Running Collection, tested and endorsed by lululemon Ambassador Ben Seymour.
The global run scene has shifted from a solitary pursuit to a connected community where high-performance gear must now survive the transition from a 20km long run to a mid-morning café stop. Leading this cultural crossover is lululemon, whose 2026 RUNNING COLLECTION rejects the idea that athletes must choose between technical precision and looking good. For Sydney-based athlete and entrepreneur Ben Seymour, this evolution is personal. As a former professional rugby player turned runner and founder of the nutrition brand Rhise, Seymour refuses to be “pigeonholed into one discipline or distance”. For him, the gear isn’t just an outfit, it’s a tool for a life built on high standards and a routine that balances training, business, and family.
The collection itself is a calculated reimagining of the preppy aesthetic, clashing Oxford Red and Clubhouse Blue with bold, engineered prints. “I’m with HYPEBEAST on this one,” Seymour says regarding the collection’s high-style lens, noting that the pieces sit in that sweet spot where you don’t have to choose between performance and looking good. “Runners are dressing more expressively than they used to,” Seymour says. “Part of that is the sport getting more visible. If more people are watching, you want to turn up looking like yourself.” From his perspective, the community can tell the difference between a brand chasing a moment and one built for real performance through R&D and innovation.
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When asked the age-old question of whether looking good impacts output, Seymour is candid about the psychological edge: “Honestly? Yes. Confidence is a real performance lever, and what you wear feeds straight into it”. This philosophy translates directly to his favorite pieces, such as the Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve, which uses advanced mesh zoning to ensure that on humid Sydney mornings, he isn’t finishing a session feeling like he has a “wet towel” on.
The conversation naturally turns to what he is actually reaching for daily. For high-mileage efforts, the Fast and Free 5” Lined Short is his non-negotiable. “It moves well and doesn’t hold heat,” Seymour explains, pointing out that the hidden pockets for his phone and gels are a “real win” because nothing bounces or gets in the way, allowing him to stay focused deep into a long run. His surprise pick from the drop? The leopard print shell jacket. “Not something I’d have reached for off a rack,” he admits, “but I’ve worn it more than I expected: easier runs, travel days, pulled over a training fit. It breaks the rules of what run apparel is supposed to look like. That’s exactly why it works right now.”
This focus on distraction-free construction is powered by lululemon’s “Science of Feel,” which uses proprietary Nulux™ fabric to deliver a “barely-there” feel. Such technical precision allows Seymour to maintain his daily non-negotiables: moving every day, fueling right, and staying on top of his headspace. He views his ambassadorship as a “proper partnership” where he feeds back into the product, supporting a community that helps people on their own journey, whether they are lacing up for their first-ever run or competing at the top.
Tying the collection together is the “Yet” Manifesto, a mindset that frames potential as a limitless road map for your breakthroughs. For Seymour, the word “Yet” is “the gap between where you are and where you’re heading,” and he believes that “learning to sit in it is part of the work”. He is currently applying this mindset to his own goals: a sub-2:40 marathon in Sydney this year and building Rhise into “the best fuelling system in the world”. He finds that when the gear fits right and “nothing’s riding up or chafing,” the athlete stops thinking about what they are wearing and they “just run”. When the style, feel, and performance all line up, the session does too.
Step into the next era of performance and style by exploring the 2026 RUNNING COLLECTION, available now at lululemon stores and online.
