Adidas and B.A.A. to Open New Store Concept Called ‘RunBase’

Store rendering provided.

Shop, shower, and a shave?

There’s a brand new store concept coming to Boylston Street, and it’s being billed as an “epicenter for runners” where you can shop, peruse Boston Marathon memorabilia, and even have access to free lockers and showers if you want to go for a run.

Dubbed the Boston Marathon RunBase, in partnership with its Boylston Street neighbor, Marathon Sports, the 2,000-square-foot shop is set to launch April 16 at the 26-mile mark of the historic course. Shoppers will be greeted with a 10-foot 3-D topographic animated race map, and the space will be filled with race memorabilia (100-plus years worth of photos, race bibs, medals, trophies, and jackets), plus original art work and a changing room with free lockers and showers (no purchase necessary).

Other cool features include: Interactive screens featuring key moments in race history; an archive featuring every participant since the marathon’s inception; digitized race results of every Boston Marathon runner—ever; and what could be the neatest part of this store: A treadmill that has all the visuals and terrain of the course, where customers can run all 26.2 simulated miles right in the store.

“We’ve already cultivated a community of like-minded runners through our heritage. The experience expands the way we serve and interact with runners while providing world class product in an environment that celebrates the Boston Marathon’s past and present,” said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. executive director, in a statement. “This is a natural extension of our long-standing partnership with adidas, which we have enjoyed since 1988. The Boston Marathon, our club and our community events will come to life at Boston Marathon RunBase year-round for all to see and experience.”

There are already six RunBase locations around the world (Tokyo, Moscow, London, São Paulo, Prague, and a mobile location in Stockholm) but this will be the first in the U.S. Adidas has “several more planned,” to open over the next year, according to Adidas reps.

“RunBase is a one-of-a-kind resource for runners based in and traveling to Boston,” said Mikal Peveto, global director of running innovation at Adidas, in a statement. “Adidas is taking its partnership with the Boston Athletic Association to the next level with the help of Marathon Sports to let runners experience the best of our brand and the spirit of the greatest race year-round.”

855 Boylston Street; open daily from 10 a.m. (9 a.m. during race weekend) to 8 p.m., bostonrunbase.com