Fall down seven times, rise up eight: The new GEL-NIMBUS™ 27 shoes designed by ASICS athlete Eilish McColgan are a tribute to her resilience and Scottish heritage.
[19 March 2025 – Hoofddorp, The Netherlands] – ASICS is proud to announce the launch of the all-time favourite GEL-NIMBUS™ 27 shoes, re-imagined by Scottish middle and long-distance runner Eilish McColgan. This limited-edition design draws inspiration from Eilish’s Scottish heritage and unyielding mindset, capturing the essence of her resilience and perseverance as a runner and elite athlete.
In addition to her impressive athletic achievements, Eilish McColgan, an ASICS athlete since 2019, is renowned for her unwavering mental fortitude and her dedication to giving back to the community, supporting children to become active and empowering the next generation of athletes to rise. Now, she has transformed the much-loved GEL-NIMBUS™ 27 shoes, her go-to daily trainers, into a vibrant symbol of her journey, crediting her background and persistent mindset. The design incorporates powerful Scottish motifs, including the iconic Scottish thistle, symbolizing resilience, and the bold purple tartan, representing the strength and perseverance it requires to consistently show up for yourself.
Another key feature is the integration of Eilish’s favourite Japanese proverb, “Nana korobi, ya oki”, which translates to “Fall down seven times, rise up eight”. After facing several setbacks and injuries, Eilish encountered this proverb during her first trip to Japan at the end of 2023, where she visited the ASICS Institute of Sport Science for testing to find her new training shoes. The proverb immediately resonated with Eilish, reflecting her journey of overcoming obstacles. Now etched into the laces, the proverb serves as a reminder for all runners to persevere and take it in their own stride.
"I’m thrilled to develop these shoes with the ASICS team,” said Eilish McColgan. “The design process has been fun, from the creative brainstorming, to refining the final product. From its beautiful colours to the Scottish themes, I feel that this shoe really represents who I am and what I stand for. I hope that everyone wearing the collection will feel as comfortable and inspired as I am to get out and run for body and mind.”
Anthony Marguet, Director of Performance Running Category at ASICS EMEA, said, “Eilish is an incredible athlete and role model for many runners, embracing the values of sportsmanship and community beyond her involvement in elite sports. We’re thrilled to collaborate with her on this unique design, combining everything runners love about the GEL-NIMBUS model with everything that Eilish stands for.”
The GEL-NIMBUS™ 27 by Eilish McColgan is complemented by a matching head-to-toe look including socks, shorts and a short sleeve top, all designed for superior comfort and performance. The shoes are now available on asics.com and at select retailers in Europe and the UK.
For more information, visit asics.com.
