Lil Nas X was one of over 27,000 finishers in the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon on March 17.
The “Old Town Road” rapper, known for his show-stopping red carpet looks, ran the race in a surprisingly understated outfit – a basic pair of black shorts and a green NYC Half Marathon tee.
But it was what he was wearing on his feet that had people talking (or rather, shopping): the Distressed High Top Sneaker from Coach. The shoe, which was on sale on the Coach website for $275, is currently sold out. And while we love fashion just as much as the next person, we can’t help but wonder what all of the hype is about.
According to Page Six, the 24-year-old Georgia native had never run more than three miles before last weekend’s race and doesn’t own a pair of running shoes. And when he tried to buy a pair from a sneaker shop in the area, he discovered it was closed. Lucky for him, he has friends who make luxury leather goods who hooked him up.
Lil Nas X has been a Coach brand ambassador since 2022. The company announced the partnership in the “Courage to Be Real” campaign with a short film featuring the artist, born Montero Lamar Hill. “My whole career has been about breaking down doors, and this campaign represents everything I’ve overcome so far,” he said at the time.
The rapper ended up wearing a pair of Coach’s Distressed High Top Sneakers, which look like they’d already been through a 13-mile run around the streets of New York City. While they’re not the best shoes for running, Lil Nas X managed to finish the race in 2:32:53 – even though he probably needed an Epsom salt soak afterwards.
“Well, the race went well, it’s giving race,” he said in a video recorded from a wheelchair.
If you want to get your hands (or your feet) on a pair of the Coach Distressed Leather High Top Sneaker, they’re available on Amazon – for now.