Runstreet Recap: 2019 Art Runs, Dogs, Europe and More

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Jan 1

Photos by Marques Jackson at our NYC Shakeout Art Run hosted by The Ridge hotel.

Thanks to our awesome Runstreet crew that continues to grow around the world, we had a fun-filled, adventurous 2019. We were very grateful to do over 20 Art Runs in 5 cities, and daily NYC Art Run tours. We made new connections with running friends around the world, and explored new cities (and countries), as well as highlighted incredible street artists at events and on our blog. Speaking of blogging, due to our increased posts and guest bloggers, we increased our online traffic over 60% in the last year!

We are thankful to our sponsors who helped bring our visions to life in 2019, including EVEN Hotels Midtown East, Saucony, Clif Bar, Custom Performance, Getaround, Cellucor C4, Lenny and Larry’s, and Sweaty Betty.

Runstreet 90s Art Run and Brunch at EVEN Hotels Midtown East.

In 2019, we launched our first Dog Art Run, hosted by the Brooklyn Running Co, to rousing success, with half of all ticket proceeds going to Second Chance Rescue NYC. Check out our second Brooklyn Dog Art Run coming up this spring, and stay tuned for a Chicago Dog Art Run and Manhattan Dog Art Run in the fall.

We also added to our Runstreet alpha pack, with our Chicago crew making big waves, led by Laura Rizzo and Tom Leddy. Our creative team grew, with the talented additions of Brooklyn graphic designer Alisa Harvey, and Chicago photographer Matt Mroczek, adding to our stellar creative team consisting of NYC photographer Marques Jackson and Chicago photographer Grace Pisula.

We brought the Daydream Festival to Chicago for the first time in 2019, launched our first-ever Dog Art Run to benefit Second Chance Rescue NYC, partnered with EVEN Hotels Midtown East for a series of ultra-fun Art Run adventures in Midtown NYC, and we went on TWO trips to explore the street art in Paris and London. We also did a special VIP NYC Art Run featuring street artist Tony “Rubin” Sjoman at Garden Suites Hotel by Affinia.

It was a busy year, and as part of our mission to connect people and build community, we partnered with empowering nonprofits in 2019. We did Art Runs to benefit Second Chance Rescue NYC, This is My Brave (mental health awareness), LGBTQ community health center Callen-Lorde, and RAICES, which empowers immigrants and refugees with legal services. We also partnered with environmental group Greenpoint Innovations for a Going Green Art Run in NYC. A portion of our ticket sales from the Chicago Daydream 5K Art Run and Festival went to our host Pilsen Gallery’s nonprofit Pilsen Arts and Community House.

Thanks to the colorful local art galleries who hosted some of our Art Runs in 2019, including Chicago Truborn, Pilsen Outpost, Living Gallery BK, and to the all-new Time Out Market Chicago for hosting out Chicago Ugly Sweater Art Run.

In 2020, we are launching our first Runstreet Europe Retreat, with Art Runs in Paris and London, increasing our Dog Art Runs, partnering with EVEN Hotels Midtown East for even more Art Runs, and bringing the Daydream Festival back. We will also be doing our first LA Art Run on March 1, with Athleta LA. Stay tuned for LA Art Run details here.

And don’t forget to follow Runstreet Instagram and Runstreet Facebook for the latest event updates, Art Run discount codes, giveaways, and more.

Thank you to the Runstreet Wolf Pack worldwide for an incredible 2019, and we look forward to even more adventures, connections, and colorful running in 2020!

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. Marnie enjoys traveling, art, her dog Kiyoshi, and eating messily. You can follow her running and events at @Runstreet Instagram and Runstreet Facebook.