CITY RUNNERS: new air, runs, and partnerships

The racing crew, idealized by Fleezus back in 2021, is now reactivated and announces sponsorship from Nike Running. The project was an outlet for improving issues such as mental and physical health - which began during the pandemic - in addition to providing a collective space for connection. With a frequency of runs once a month, on Thursdays, with fixed and alternative routes of 4 or 7km and sporadic training sessions, the city center is explored and events will be promoted.

Now, the participants bring a new perspective on the connection between sport and urban culture. We talked a bit more about all this movement, health, collectivity, and running in general with the crew. Check it out below:

How has the idea of running collectively with friends impacted your motivation and commitment to the sport?

“Everything started during the pandemic when I felt the need to start running because it is a sport that you can do individually, right? You put on your headphones, you go run, and it brings you return. And my buddy jumped on the same bandwagon at the same time I started running. This was around mid-2020 to 2021 - the pandemic was still very strong. We decided to run around the neighborhood, starting by going to a small court near my house. Over time, it began motivating a crowd that also had an interest in running but, in a way, didn't feel comfortable enough to run, partly due to not reaching a certain mileage, the famous 5km. But, as time passed, my closest friends gained the courage to start participating in runs and running alone. My Instagram, during that period, was also crucial in motivating the crowd to start running. Today, what I do is promote the collective, thinking in the macro way.” - Fleezus, rapper

How has running positively influenced your mental and physical health since you joined the crew?

“Running during the pandemic played a fundamental role in my mental and physical health because the pandemic prevented us from practicing collective sports. Running was the only sport that I could see improvement for my mental and physical health, and it started with a need: I needed to practice some exercise. I couldn't go to the gym, couldn't play soccer, even though I really like soccer, and the only sport that I saw that could keep my mental health in check was running. So it started with a need, and then I began to enjoy the sport more, started practicing more, and even after the pandemic, I continued running and practicing. I did take a break, of course. After Leo, my friend from the beginning, went off to do other things, I also took a break, but I continued with soccer, and I revived it now to return to what I always wanted to do when I started running with Leo, which was to create this collective that is the City Runners. Having people close to us running together and having an idea of occupying the city in a meaningful way, which is to bring a different perspective to people, like: “I pass by here working, and I'm running here taking care of my mental and physical health. I pass here in the center doing such a thing, and today I'm running here.” So re-signifying certain places in the city - that is fundamental for me. There’s also the cultural role, the social role, which is very important. Expanding beyond running, having the role of welcoming people and making it clear that everyone is welcome, regardless of belief, regardless of anything, they will be welcome in our collective. So that was the step I wanted to take and that the collective has helped me to take.” - Fleezus, rapper

Do you believe that the current emphasis on health and sport is changing the perception of running as a hobby or physical activity? How is this reflected in your personal experience?

‘’I believe that this emphasis on sports came to the forefront in this post-pandemic period, where the search for freedom, health, and quality of life increased a lot; cycling and urban running are now on the rise worldwide. Personally speaking, running has become very important to me, as it connected me with interesting people and, in addition to helping my physical and mental state, it taught me how to deal with pain and challenges.’’ - Rudgieri, stylist and creative director

How do you see the role of Nike, a globally recognized brand, in supporting and encouraging initiatives like City Runners?

‘’I never imagined that a brand like Nike would support our collective, which is a group of friends encouraging other people who live the same lifestyle to run through the streets of the city center. If Nike sees this as the future of running, it means we are on the right track. And I think that's an important social role granted by the brand.’’ - Rudgieri, stylist and creative director

How is urban culture and its relationship with music, fashion, and creativity reflected in the running routes and the choice of locations for the crew's events?

‘’Most of the people who run with the crew have some connection with art, and those who don’t have a direct relationship really enjoy the same things. I think that was the coolest part for me, the mix between sport and lifestyle. Not to mention that it has been incredible to rediscover the city through running. I end up creating a new perception of places I have passed before and also discovering new places with amazing views.’’ - Fernanda Balieiro, founder and jewelry designer of Balieiros

And last but not least, why run?

‘’I started running about 3 years ago and decided to start this sport because it didn’t require much for practice. Initially, I could do it alone, on the street or in the park near my home, and I didn’t need to pay for a place or someone to teach me how to run, especially since it’s a very intuitive sport. When the opportunity to run with other people, especially friends, came up, it got even better. Running is democratic; the main thing is to have the will to start.’’ - Fernanda Balieiro, founder and jewelry designer of Balieiros

Photos by @mauvistto