Natalia Leckey and Austin Smith Are Better Together

Putting the performance sneakers to the test, the couple laced up for a run through Brooklyn while reflecting on moving through life in stride with one another.

When I think of modern love and dating, images of failed situationships and cynical dating app scenarios dance through my head. These days, meeting someone organically is almost as rare as finding that perfect coveted grail on resale sites — ever elusive, but even sweeter when you discover a diamond in the rough. As times change, we’ve learned to look outside the box — metaphorically for some and quite literally for those more familiar with NYC’s most sceney downtown spots. Gone are the days of finding our partners beneath the glow of buzzing neon club signs or on sweaty dance floors. Running is the new social connector gaining speed, spurring friendships for many, and, for some, even romantic partnerships. Just ask runners Natalia Leckey and Austin Smith.For the ambitious duo, the sport is more than a disciplined activity — it's the thread that connects them. Though they now live in Los Angeles, their story began in New York. The two spent time on both coasts visiting each other, but even when they were hundreds of miles apart, their shared passion drew them closer. Now, they return to where it all started for a run in their adidas ADIZERO Evo SL Exo sneakers — a shoe as dependable as their bond. Along the way, they reflected on the distances running has taken them thus far. “Our first run together was at Silverlake Reservoir in Los Angeles," Natalia says with a smitten smile. “We ran four miles, and Austin was really sweet and stayed at my pace.” He chimes in on the fond memory: “I had an Achilles injury, and I didn’t want to tell her about it because I was just so excited to be out there to hang and run with her. I ended up setting myself back for the LA Marathon, but it was worth it.” Sometimes, great rewards require compromises. And it seems Austin’s Achilles' strength was worth the risk, because the two have now conjured a beautiful life where support, both on and off the track, is less of an expectation and more just second nature. “Running has brought us closer in a way that showed us how to work as a team,” Austin says. “It’s a shared sacrifice, and we get to encourage each other in our personal and individual goals.” Revisiting their old NYC stomping grounds, the couple continued their trip, or rather, run, down memory lane. The duo frequented Prospect Park’s cement trails for endurance conditioning, and the adidas sneaker is aptly equipped for it, with an exoskeleton upper fit system engineered for a responsive running experience with stability and comfort in mind. Made for a couple who pushes boundaries together, the ADIZERO Evo SL Exo includes Lightstrike Pro cushioning and energy-return for unrivaled speed. “It’s become one of my favorite shoes at this point,” Natalia shared. “It supports my everyday life. I take it with me to go run my errands, and to run around the city with Lucy.” Austin echoes a similar sentiment, saying: “It's the shoe I put on to run a 10K. I don't have to think about it. I'm going out to run from Silverlake to Hollywood and back — that's the shoe I grab.”Designed to endure every high-pressure moment — whether it's track workouts or long-distance prep — the lightweight offering has a sculpted rubber outsole for added traction and a soft, textile upper that can be adjusted for comfort. All of its speed-enhancing features are packaged within a racing-inspired design, accented by adidas’ signature three stripes.Though the going can get tough while putting in miles — those all-too-familiar moments when air feels harder to acquire, and every step feels more arduous than the last — Natalia and Austin remind us that running doesn’t always have to be centered on the individual. In their case, they’re better together. With every stride, their bond strengthens, and it’s that shared support that pushes them to go the distance. “I ran my first marathon with Austin in 2024. He ran the entire thing with me, side by side — and the following day, we found out I was pregnant,” Natalia expressed. That monumental moment marked the start of the rest of their lives.From their shared passion for the sport came their greatest joy — their daughter. Now, the pair’s practice may look a bit different, but their solidarity remains constant through every marathon, training day, and push in between. “I get to see [running] through her eyes now. I get to have a totally new experience, being the dad pushing his baby girl with every step,” Austin tenderly reflects. As their lives continue to evolve, so do their training needs, as they learn how to aptly assist each other in this new era of life. “In postpartum, I've found it's so easy to make your child your reason why not — why you can't do something or why you fall short,” Natalia mentions. “I really try my best to make Lucy and Austin my reason why. They’re the reason why I show up. And it's absolutely been my best motivation.” Though their setting has changed, no path is too daunting when you’ve got support by your side and guaranteed speed laced to your feet. Runs in Prospect Park’s gentle, rolling terrain have transformed into dashes across Los Angeles’ steep streets. Wherever their love story and passion for running take them, Austin and Natalia keep chasing ambition in the ADIZERO Evo SL Exo footwear. Break your own personal records and reach new distances in the ADIZERO Evo SL Exo, available on adidas.com