FOR Ardith Singh, RUNNING HAS ALWAYS BEEN more than a sport.

It’s her way of connecting movement, creativity, and identity. Singh first fell in love with the technical challenge and exhilaration of hurdling in middle school. That early spark evolved into a lifelong relationship with running. But as both an athlete and a fashion student, Singh could never find apparel that kept up with her performance and personal style.

That lack of options became the foundation for Bandit Running, the cult-favorite performance brand Singh co-founded to reimagine what running gear could look and feel like. Built on constant feedback from its community, Bandit has earned a devoted following by designing products that are technically sound, thoughtfully styled, and deeply responsive to runners’ real needs. Singh takes the needs of her community seriously, which is why she has such lofty goals for the brand. Read about Ardith Singh’s journey in her C&C 100 interview below.

What’s your earliest memory of feeling connected to running?

My dad was a hurdler in college, so I always knew I wanted to try it. When I finally had that opportunity in middle school, I remember this rush, not just from being fast, but from the added technical challenge of hurdles. It hooked me. Running has been a constant in my life ever since; from hurdles to half marathons to full marathons. It’s also still one of my favorite ways to explore a new city

When did you realize running apparel wasn’t just something you were passionate about, but something you wanted to create?

I’ve always been a runner, specifically a D1 sprinter (and yes, someone who willingly chose hurdles). At the same time, I was studying fashion, and I constantly felt like I didn’t fully belong in either world. I’d show up to pattern-making class straight from weights, in sweats with a hat over sweaty hair, while everyone else looked polished. Then I’d go to track meets dressed for the airport and get teased for being “too dressed up.”

What I was really craving was the ability to feel like myself in both spaces. That tension is what shaped my design ethos: never sacrificing performance for style, or style for performance. It all comes from being an athlete who deeply cares about aesthetics.

How is Bandit addressing the specific needs of women in the running community?

We’re willing to leave our ego at the door and really listen. It sounds simple, but it’s the most important thing we do. Every day, we’re in conversation with our community to understand what’s actually needed, not just for women, but for all runners and we build from there.

Did you raise capital for your business—and if so, what surprised you most about the process?

Yes, and I feel really lucky to have two co-founders where we each have distinct roles. My co-founder Nick led our fundraising efforts and would bring us in depending on the investor’s focus. What surprised me most was how much storytelling matters, being able to clearly communicate not just what we’re building, but why it matters.

What’s a behind-the-scenes wellness habit or ritual that plays a major role in how you show up each day?

Moving my body, whether it’s a run or Pilates, even if it’s just 20 minutes. It completely clears my head and genuinely changes how I show up for the rest of the day.

When the stakes are high and all eyes are on you, what keeps you steady and confident in those moments?

This always makes me think of drop weeks. We spend nearly a year building a collection, and even though it’s grounded in real community insight, I still feel nervous every time. I’ve come to see that as a good sign, it means we’re taking enough risk to actually push the brand forward and evolve the sport. There’s something comforting in that.

What keeps me steady is knowing how intentional we are. Every single day, we’re working to create products, stories, and experiences that genuinely resonate with our community. Our team is deeply aligned around our mission to evolve running, and that mission guides every decision we make. Trusting that, and trusting the people behind it, is what gives me confidence.

What dreams/goals do you have for your brand that both excite and scare you?

Our vision is to become the most community-centered performance running brand. I want us to show up at future Olympic Games in a much bigger way, and eventually sponsor a World Major. Even saying that out loud feels a little scary, but in the best way.

I believe that if we keep listening, to our instincts and to our community, we can absolutely get there.

How do you define success for yourself now vs. earlier in your career?

It truly never gets old seeing someone in Bandit. Success, for me, is about serving the running community in a way that feels both instinctual and a little unexpected. If someone chooses Bandit and feels completely, unapologetically themselves; that’s it. And honestly, that definition hasn’t really changed. That’s always been the goal.