The Best Part of Building Prerun: The Community

More Than Just a Product

When I first started Prerun, my focus was simple: create a product that genuinely helps runners get more out of their training. I knew the science mattered, the flavour mattered, the branding mattered.

But what I didn’t expect—the part that has surprised me the most—is that the very best thing about building a brand isn’t the product at all. It’s the people.

Community isn’t a buzzword for me. It’s not about chasing numbers or trying to rack up the highest possible follower count. It’s about genuine connections—real runners, sharing their journeys, supporting one another, and lifting the whole community in the process.

A Runner Who Stands Out

One of the clearest examples of this came through someone I’ve never even met in person: Andy Bradley.

I was introduced to Andy through another runner, and from the first interaction it was clear he wasn’t just another Instagram account posting polished highlight reels. Andy is spectacularly supportive. He checks in regularly, he tags Prerun in his content without me ever asking, and he creates raw, honest posts that capture what it actually feels like to be out there running—often in the dark hours of the morning, putting in the miles when most of the world is still asleep.

Raw, Honest Storytelling

Andy’s captions tell the story better than I ever could. There’s no pretence, no angle.

He shares when training feels smooth and effortless, but he also shares when it feels too much, when life gets in the way, or when he surprises himself with what his body can do.

One post might describe a night out followed by an unexpected sunrise run that “just felt right.” Another might explain how focusing more on nutrition and fuelling has changed his approach, with a simple nod to Prerun as part of his routine.

Why It Matters

What makes Andy stand out isn’t just the miles he runs, but the way he shows up for others. He doesn’t do this for free products or recognition—he does it because he loves running and he believes in supporting those around him. That kind of authenticity is rare, and it’s exactly what community is built on.

This is the heart of what I want for Prerun. Not a faceless brand chasing metrics, but a space where runners connect, share honestly, and support one another.

The True Reward

Every time someone like Andy chooses to tag us, or a runner sends me a message about their training, or someone passes Prerun on to a friend because it made a difference for them—that’s worth more than any advertising campaign.

The best and most unexpected benefit of building a brand has been discovering that it’s not about the product alone. It’s about the people who choose to be part of the journey.

Where We’re Going

For me, building Prerun is about building this community. And if we do it right, the product is just the start.

The real story is written by the runners who take it with them on their miles, in their own words, on their own paths.

Check out Andy's page @run_bradders_run