Chris Koehn – Marathon and Ultramarathon Runner: How to Care for Your Running Clothes

Pure Passion. Knowledge from people who know their thing.

Chris Koehn is an architect, artist, musician, and long-distance runner based in Mexico City. Since 2007, he and his wife have been doing something quite unusual: each year, they celebrate their wedding anniversary by traveling to a new place in the world and running a marathon together.

Twenty races later, running has become more than a habit – it's a way of experiencing the world. In the past two years, they've left city streets behind and started exploring trails, nature, and ultramarathons. We spoke with Chris about running, materials, routines, and how he cares for his clothes along the way.

How did it all start – and what made you keep running?

Before I discovered running, I mostly ran as a warm-up for tennis and soccer when I was younger. In 2007, my wife convinced me to join her on a run. The first time, I ran 10 km on a short loop, and when I finished, I felt something fantastic that I had never really experienced before, a kind of euphoria. I immediately said I wanted to run a marathon, and later that year, we ran one together in New York.

When we crossed the finish line together, I knew this was something I wanted to continue. Since then, it's become a tradition – a marathon every year, in a new place around the world. In the last two years, we've transitioned to trail ultramarathons, where we've discovered nature and a more introspective form of meditation in motion.

You run in many different places – does that affect how you think about equipment and clothing?

Absolutely. Running in Mexico City, in the mountains, in cities like Paris or Copenhagen, or in snow places very different demands on equipment. But regardless of the location, I always look for the same things – lightweight garments that breathe well and feel natural to move in. I really like Satisfy because it suits me well. It's as much about function as it is about aesthetics – minimalist design, good materials, and something that lasts over time.

What's most important when it comes to keeping running clothes fresh over time?

For me, one of the biggest changes in recent years has been washing clothes less often and using Pure Effect Textile Spray to remove sweat odor between uses. Many people think that workout clothes need to be washed after every session, but that wears out the materials over time.

For me, it's more about taking care of them between uses – airing them out, letting them dry properly, and treating them the right way. Less washing helps clothes retain both their function and feel longer.

Have you found routines that work in everyday life – and when you travel?

Yes, and that's where I really notice a difference. I use Pure Effect every day after exercise – both after running, yoga, and on many of my everyday clothes. It's become a simple routine: I hang up the clothes, spray them, and leave them.

When I travel, it becomes even more important. I don't always have access to laundry facilities, and I also like to travel light. Being able to use the same garment multiple times without it feeling unfresh makes a big difference. It works just as well for running gear as for ski trips or snowboarding, where washing is often neither easy nor possible.

You also talk about reducing your footprint – how does that relate to how you care for your clothes?

For me, it's about the same mindset. If we can use our clothes longer and wash them less often, it can make a difference – both for the materials and for how we consume. Small everyday habits and routines can go a long way.

And finally – what drives you today?

Discovering new mountains and deserts through running, art, film, learning, and meditation. All of that keeps me inspired and motivates me to share messages of awareness through art, music, and architecture. I like to think that in my own way, I contribute to creating a better world by living more present and with greater awareness. Perhaps I can inspire others to think a little differently about how we live – and how we can live in a more sustainable way.