Runstreet 2017 Recap: Art Runs Spread, Charities We Supported
Runstreet was able to hire more local artists in 2017. Photos by Marques Jackson.
2017 was a year of expansion and growth for the Runstreet Wolf Pack. We teamed up with Clif Bar for some kick ass Art Runs in NYC, Brooklyn and Boston, as well as did Art Runs in Chicago with Reebok and a pre-Chicago Marathon Art Run with Saucony. We hit the amazing Wynwood Walls for two Miami Art Runs as well as explored street art in Mexico City. Our NYC Pride Art Run with ConBody supported the LGBT Victory Fund, one of 4 non-profits we dedicated Art Runs to in 2017. Runstreet was founded on the principles of art, camaraderie, equality and sweat therapy, and we are grateful we got to bring all of these principles to life in 2017.
Here is a look at our 2017 adventures, by the numbers:
Runstreet Pride Art Run with ConBody raised funds for the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
36 Runstreet Art Runs, including:
30 Art Runs in NYC
3 Art Runs in Chicago
2 Art Runs in Miami
1 Art Run in Boston
A large part of our inspiration at Runstreet comes from art, and we believe in paying local artists for their creative genius. In 2017, we Employed Local Artists, including:
1 photographer and creative director, Marques Jackson of Filles Garcons NY
3 event photographers
2 event videographers
6 street artists to design Art Run shirts and flyers
5 street artists whose art we purchased for prizes, giveaways and Art Run photo contests
4 Nonprofits and one Cause We Raised Funds for with dedicated Art Runs, including:
Back on My Feet NYC, which helps people experiencing homelessness transition to independent living through the power of running and essential skills and job training.
Our Pride Art Run benefitted the Victory Fund, which empowers and supports LGBTQ leaders in politics.
Our Clif Boston Art Run ticket sales went to the Boston's Mayor's Mural Crew, which pairs up youth with local artists to create murals beautifying the city.
Run 4 All Women's campaign to raise funds for Planned Parenthood. Runstreet led a NYC Art Run for the Run 4 All Women runners as well as had two virtual teams raising money for the organization. Runstreet founder Marnie Kunz ran 36 miles in the inaugural Run 4 All Women run from NYC to DC to the Women's March to raise funds for Planned Parenthood.
An Art Run for Puerto Rico with JMZ Walls to collect supplies and donations that were sent directly to Hurricane Relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
Runstreet supported ConBody Kickstarter initiatives as well. ConBody is the world's first prison style bootcamp that employs ex cons as trainers.
We went on an inaugural Runstreet Leadership Retreat in Mexico, including running the Riviera Nayarit Half Marathon and exploring the street art in Mexico City. We will do a Runstreet team retreat to Mexico in November 2018.
Art and community initiatives we supported:
I am happy to say we will be expanding to even more cities in 2018 for amazing Art Runs ahead, and we will also be doing our first ever large scale Art Run & Festival! Stay tuned for more details on upcoming cities and events, and mark your calendars for April 28, 2018 for Brooklyn Art Run & Festival! We also look forward to a longterm partnership with Back on My Feet and the Human Rights Campaign as our partner charities for 2018.
We look forward to many more smiles, color and fun on Art Runs in the year ahead!
With Love,
Marnie
Leaping into a New Year with lots more Art Runs in the works, including expansion to other cities and official charity partners Back on My Feet and the Human Rights Campaign.
