You don’t have to run a 1:59 marathon, win a race outright or even be a full-time athlete to earn money for your efforts over 26.2 miles. Sometimes, working hard enough to beat your own previous marathon best is enough to get some money in the bank.

That’s where Puma’s Project3 comes in. Launched in 2025, Project3 is a one-of-its-kind programme that offers accomplished amateur runners the chance to train and race like elites and compete for performance-based cash prizes at some of the world’s largest and most popular marathons. The programme has already seen huge success at London, Boston and New York City – so now, Puma is taking Project3 to two of the flattest, fastest marathons around: Berlin and Chicago.

Here’s what Project3 entails and what you need to do to become a Project3 athlete at the Berlin Marathon or Chicago Marathon this autumn.

What exactly is Project3?

Project3 was conceived by Puma to give sub-elite runners – the ones who train hard to achieve competitive times, but who aren’t at the level where they can quit their day jobs and make running a full-time occupation – the opportunity step into the shoes of the professionals.

And by shoes, we’re talking literally: Project3 athletes train and race in Puma’s fastest footwear, including the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 and Deviate Nitro Elite 4, while working with Puma’s performance teams during their preparations. So if you succeed in becoming a Project3 athlete in Berlin or Chicago this autumn, rest assured that you’ll receive all the running shoes and expert wisdom that you’ll need – for free.

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But that’s not all. On race day, both in Berlin and in Chicago, any Project3 athlete who breaks their previous marathon PB by three minutes or more will bank a $3,000 cash prize from Puma. Plus, Puma will dish out additional performance-based bonuses to the fastest male and female Project3 finishers in each race.

Puma has already welcomed 600 runners to Project3 – across two editions of the London Marathon, two editions of the Boston Marathon and last year’s New York City Marathon – and paid out close to $400,000 in prize money. This makes Project3 the most lucrative sub-elite marathon programme in history – and it’s not done yet.

How do you become a Project3 athlete?

Puma will select 200 runners to be part of Project3 for the 2026 Berlin Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 27 September. The brand will take on a further 100 runners for the 2026 Chicago Marathon, which will take place two weeks later on Sunday 11 October.

To apply to join this autumn’s Project3 cohort, you’ll need to fit a few all-important criteria first.

For starters, you’ll need to be officially registered and have a race bib for this year’s Berlin Marathon or Chicago Marathon (or indeed both). Puma will not provide entry into either race.

In addition, must have a marathon PB that meets these standards:

Men: 3:00 or fasterWomen: 3:15 or faster

If you meet the above, your next step is to submit an application here before the deadline of midnight (BST) on Friday 26 June.

You’ll find out if you’ve been successful by Monday 6 July – and you can keep up-to-date with all things Puma and Project3 by following @pumarunning on Instagram.