America Can Now Literally Run On Dunkin’

When Dunkin’ Donuts came up with the slogan “America runs on Dunkin,’” the company was pretty clearly being metaphorical.

That’s no longer the case, as the fast food company has decided to take a turn for the literal in their newest marketing campaign. Through a partnership with athletic shoe company Saucony — and just in time for the annual Boston Marathon, which will occur on April 16 — a pair of sneakers was designed around the donut chain’s famous tagline, so Americans can, quite literally, run on Dunkin’ — perhaps the world’s first donut-themed athletic footwear.

The shoes are clearly meant to attract attention, festooned as they are with sprinkles, coffee and the Dunkin’ Donuts logo. According to a report from USA Today, the heels of the running shoes feature a picture of a frosted donut, while Saucony’s logo has been slightly modified to include a coffee bean design.

“Donut enthusiast” and “long-distance running enthusiast” don’t seem to naturally go together, but for Dunkin’ Donuts and Saucony, the shoe partnership goes together like … well, coffee and donuts. Because Dunkin’ Donuts thinks of itself as more than an iconic coffee, donut or breakfast brand; they also view themselves as a proudly iconic Boston brand. The release of the $110 sneakers will premiere just three weeks before the big race, when runners come panting up Heartbreak Hill.

“It’s about celebrating the roots of both companies and the ties to both a rich running and Boston tradition,” said Justin Unger, director of Strategic Partnerships for Dunkin’ Brands.

Enthusiasts can pick up their Dunkin’ shoes in men’s or women’s sizes, with preorders beginning on Tuesday of next week (April 3).

The release follows Pizza Hut’s move last year to release their own food-themed kicks — the Pie Tops sneaker — which has a special button that makes it easy to order a pizza.