Kirsten Ferguson – Runner, Instructor, Mom – Took the Saucony Philly Love Run Stage

Kirsten Ferguson, runner and Peloton tread instructor, was featured at a pre-race event, hosted by Saucony, leading up to the Saucony Philly Love Run Half Marathon and 7K on March 29, 2026, and made it clear this was not a cameo. She shared a post on Instagram thanking both Saucony and Running Diversity for including her in the weekend’s activities, describing it as “a beautiful morning of movement, motivation and amazing conversation.” The appearance reflects how embedded Ferguson has become in the wider running community, well beyond the walls of Peloton’s studio.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kirsten Ferguson (@iamkirstenferguson)

Kirsten Ferguson Runner: From “Not a Runner” to PR Holder

Ferguson joined Peloton in 2021, after teaching cycling on Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic when the company reached out asking her to audition, not for the bike, but for the treadmill. Her reaction at the time was direct: “I’m not really a runner.” The job changed that.

After two years working at Peloton, she reconsidered that label and signed up for a half marathon, with her training built around one core principle: “Do it progressively.” She has said that she initially believed being a runner meant heading out and covering consecutive miles, but her actual training involved combining walking and running while slowly building her run time and distance.

The race she targeted was the NYC Half. After a serious hip injury threatened to sideline her career, she worked with the Hospital for Special Surgery to recover and return to competition. The NYC Half was the race that started it all, a breakthrough moment and an emotional proof of concept that she had truly come back. She did not stop there. Her ambitions grew when she completed the TCS New York City Marathon in November 2024, cementing herself not just as a treadmill instructor but as a runner in her own right. Most recently, Ferguson crossed the finish line of the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon with a personal record.

She also led a new offering on Peloton this year. She launched the “Call Yourself a Runner” program, a three-week series designed for newer runners and those returning after injury, building from four minutes of continuous running in the first session to 20 minutes by the final class. The program mirrors her own journey.

Above, she highlights a March full of movement with all her running-related activities. She’s an inspiration!

Saucony Philadelphia: A Race Built for the Running Community

Saucony served as the title sponsor of the Philly Love Run Half Marathon and 7K on March 29, 2026, bringing shakeout runs, community meetups, and hands-on opportunities for runners to connect with the brand and its gear throughout race week.

The race drew thousands of athletes from across the country, starting on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and finishing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It has sold out every year since its inception, attracting more than 15,000 runners, with a course that showcases the city’s historic landmarks and scenic landscapes.

Ferguson’s involvement in the weekend’s pre-race programming fits squarely within Saucony’s community-first approach. Saucony has built partnerships with organizations including the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, Black Men Run, and Black Girls RUN!, all focused on removing barriers to participation across the running community. Her connection to Running Diversity, also tagged in her Instagram post, reflects that same commitment.

Peloton Instructors in the Wider Fitness Ecosystem

Ferguson’s Saucony appearance is part of a broader pattern. Peloton instructors have increasingly built presence within the running community through brand partnerships, live race participation, and community events. Just days before the Saucony Philly Love Run weekend, Ferguson led a Peloton Women’s History Month run club event in New York. She brought the community together for a 5K walk/run along the West Side Highway to honor the strength and impact of women, followed by a meet and greet back at PSNY.

These touchpoints, from the Tread to the start line to a Saucony pre-race morning in Philadelphia, reflect an instructor whose running identity is no longer tied exclusively to Peloton and is a mark of her own determination. 

The Clip Out is an independent Peloton news site with reporting, analysis, and community insights. We deliver breaking updates, feature reporting, and expert context on the stories driving the community and the industry.

Our weekly podcast offers deeper conversation and perspective, and you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TuneIn, and YouTube Music. You can also follow us on our socials on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, BlueSky, and YouTube.

See something in the Peloton universe that you think we should know? Visit us at theclipout.com and submit a tip.