{"id":113944,"date":"2026-06-22T16:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T16:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/113944\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T16:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T16:59:12","slug":"pumas-sub-elite-programme-is-hitting-berlin-and-chicago-heres-how-to-apply-for-project3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/113944\/","title":{"rendered":"Puma\u2019s sub-elite programme is hitting Berlin and Chicago: Here\u2019s how to apply for Project3"},"content":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t have to run a 1:59 marathon<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Puma\u2019s Project3 comes in. Launched in 2025, Project3<\/a> 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\u2019s largest and most popular marathons. The programme has already seen huge success at London<\/a>, Boston<\/a> and New York City<\/a> \u2013 so now, Puma is taking Project3 to two of the flattest, fastest marathons around: Berlin<\/a> and Chicago<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Project3 entails and what you need to do to become a Project3 athlete at the Berlin Marathon or Chicago Marathon this autumn. <\/p>\n

What exactly is Project3?<\/p>\n

Project3 was conceived by Puma to give sub-elite runners \u2013 the ones who train hard to achieve competitive times, but who aren\u2019t at the level where they can quit their day jobs and make running a full-time occupation \u2013 the opportunity step into the shoes of the professionals. <\/p>\n

And by shoes, we\u2019re talking literally: Project3 athletes train and race in Puma\u2019s fastest footwear, including the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3<\/a> and Deviate Nitro Elite 4<\/a>, while working with Puma\u2019s performance teams during their preparations. So if you succeed in becoming a Project3 athlete in Berlin or Chicago this autumn, rest assured that you\u2019ll receive all the running shoes and expert wisdom that you\u2019ll need \u2013 for free. <\/p>\n

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But that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Puma has already welcomed 600 runners to Project3 \u2013 across two editions of the London Marathon, two editions of the Boston Marathon and last year\u2019s New York City Marathon \u2013 and paid out close to $400,000 in prize money. This makes Project3 the most lucrative sub-elite marathon programme in history \u2013 and it\u2019s not done yet.<\/p>\n

How do you become a Project3 athlete?<\/p>\n

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.
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To apply to join this autumn\u2019s Project3 cohort, you\u2019ll need to fit a few all-important criteria first.<\/p>\n

For starters, you\u2019ll need to be officially registered and have a race bib for this year\u2019s Berlin Marathon or Chicago Marathon (or indeed both). Puma will not provide entry into either race. <\/p>\n

In addition, must have a marathon PB that meets these standards:<\/p>\n

Men: 3:00 or fasterWomen: 3:15 or faster<\/p>\n

If you meet the above, your next step is to submit an application here<\/a> before the deadline of midnight (BST) on Friday 26 June.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find out if you\u2019ve been successful by Monday 6 July \u2013 and you can keep up-to-date with all things Puma and Project3 by following @pumarunning<\/a> on Instagram.
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