Q. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

A. My name is Jupiter JAUNE Desphy V. The name is a story in itself. My grandfather, father, brothers and half brothers share the first name much like George Foreman did with his kids, but we have different middle names to differentiate. I’m 33 years young and I currently freelance with an event production company.

Q. Location and crew?

A. When I lived in Las Vegas I helped build a run crew called Mission: I’mPOSSIBLE (MIP). Once I arrived in Portland (1 year ago) I was quick to join the local groups – Nike Run Club Portland and Stumprunners – since then… I have been running religiously on a weekly basis. Wherever I travel I love to join with the local running groups – I have met so many individuals who have come together with the common goal of bringing people together that love running.

Q. What you have gained from running?

A. The greatest thing about MIP was that it was designed so that you didn’t have to be the greatest runner or athlete to give it a go… our format was Run 1 mile, then do circuit training (push-ups, sit-ups etc.) then another mile and then circuit training before closing out with another mile. I really saw such a mix of people come together to share their stories and see them improve physically and spiritually.

Before moving to Portland, anything over 4-5 miles was crazy to me. With the running crews and new people I have met in Portland, I increased my running schedule to up to 5 days a week… gradually building my endurance and since, have run 3 half marathons and 3 marathons.

Through running, on top of losing weight and being more “fit”, I’ve gained an abundance of confidence. I learned a lot about myself. I used to wear headphones, but now I like to hear my surroundings, my footsteps, and my breath. I learned to love running, but I found something better. What I have found most rewarding is helping others discover my same passion and growth to excel and succeed.

Q. What you hope to achieve in future?

A. In the future, I’d like to run in Boston and in a triathlon, but I feel I have to bring someone with me on that journey. I would find more motivation helping someone else overcome his or her obstacles. My goal is to help all the crews I’m involved with grow, inspire and spread positivity.

Q.What makes you an indie runner ?

A. As an individual, I am really no different from any other runner on the street, I am competitive with myself and strive to improve on my form, technique and pace.

What would set me apart is on the desire to bring the crew together. When running with the different running groups, I go out of my way to find out who is running with us. I like to make sure everyone is welcome and for that particular run, I like to let him or her know that they are “family”. During a group run a pay particular attention to making sure that everyone is together and that no one is left behind. You’ll often find me pumping up the newer runners and exchanging stories. I love to share my journey and the journey of all the other runners I’ve met. On top of the love for running, it the stories…the victories that keeps me running the streets.

I actually should be in bed right now but even if I was I would be tossing and turning while on whatsapp. Even though I am tired today I got lost and ended up in Krugesrsdorp from Sandton. All because I was in the wrong lane during peak traffic. my body is conditioned to only sleep after midnight. I have been loving the experience I am getting in the IT office, I probably can not blog in the office because I will probably get fired. Anywho Zaakirah said I shouldnot stop blogging, so I bring another indie runner, I think there are less than 5 to go. 2015 shall let me flourish, they will be getting #RunRevolution gear. Potential Sponsors are you reading this? 

They will be visible on your streets, so from a far off land meet your next #RunRevolution ambassador.

Hello everybody!

My name is Marek and I am now at the age of 21 and I come from Pilsen (Czech. Rep.) but thanks to my father I also got the Italian citizenship. I am a student at Institute of Chemical technology in Prague (ICT) and I play floorball as my primary sport. I do also other sports, mainly outdoor ones, including downhill skiing, x-country skiing and cycling. But we are all here to speak about our one common passion-RUNNING, am I right?

I started seriously running about a year ago but I wasn’t even thinking about any races I would later subscribe in. Suddenly I met this cool group of people in Prague. The club I am now member of is called PragueRunners and we are supported by Nike so the trainings, which take place during the week are completely free and everybody can join. Thanks to this group I really fell in love with running and the feelings after every run became for me an addiction, a really strong one!

Thanks to running I feel much more healthy. Not only physically I mean but also psychically, which is the most important thing. Every-time I get some hard exercise from school or I have to make an exam I go running the day before and I feel relaxed and stronger for the upcoming unpleasant thing to do. I also met a lot of amazing people in the running club who really know a lot about running and share with you many experiences from their races and achievements.

As I was in Germany for a 10km AOK-Lauf (race) I got hit with the idea to train hard so much I could enroll for the Two Oceans Race Ultra-marathon in South Africa, Cape Town. It is a 56km long race which takes place really at the extreme South point of Africa-Cape of Good Hope. I spent some time with a man who went there and he spoke about the race in such a stunning way! So with my running buddy we realized we have to start saving money…Well, that would be a plan for the future-a dream that, someday I hope, comes true!

Not to talk only about some future dreams. I am going to take part in half-marathons from the Czech Running League next year to improve my distance range from the 10k races. This year I took part in the We Run Prague race and the Birell Grand Prix which, both, took place in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. These races haven’t been quite successful for me, though. At We Run Prague I had the time 0:45:19 and at Birell GP 0:45:11. But in Germany things got much better! Although I suffered a crisis due to bad breathing I managed to reduce my time for more than two minutes to 00:43:01. I know that „the one” second is horrible…

So that would be the first reason I run for-to see myself improving. Honestly I did a small mistake in here now. The results and my times are just at the bottom of the reasons I run for. I would put at first place the people I met thanks to running-their thinking, the way they do things and how kind they are. Then there is this super feeling after each run which you get thanks to all the endorphins being released. This is also why I want to race more! I have a theory, that the higher is your physical destruction after the competition the more intense is your wonderful feeling after it!

So everybody, after you have finished reading, take your running shoes on and RUN, wherever you are, whatever you do, whoever you are!

Thanks for reading the article! Bye,

Marek

- Follow him on instagram: @lavor9

#RunRevolution 

I was so hacked when she told me that she could not make it to Homies Half however, the roads never close right? We will meet on the streets in Rotterdam, Patta you faced our hills, I will face your winter...


My name is Yessica and I’m 19 years young. I live in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and I’m in my last year studying graphic design. I really want to combine all my passions in one but I know that I have to search for my style. So I’m very busy with figuring out what my style is and what I want to do with my life after this year.

I used to be very skinny when I was younger until I lost my mom when I was ten years old which changed my whole life. I began to eat my sorrows away and was chubby until I the age of 15. I never was a sporty type when I was younger actually. My dad is the one that got me into running at the age of 17. And of course I didn’t enjoy it right away because I hadn’t done it before. After a half year I had the courage to try it again and since then I didn’t stop. I run faster than my dad now!

I run with Patta Running Team since June 2014. Patta is a clothing label located in Amsterdam since 2004. The running team is running around the world since 2010. We have a great, passionate and hard working team. A team like no other. It really feels like a family.

I’ve gained so much from running since I’ve started. I’m only running for a year and a half now with a pause of 3 months in between because of my knee injury. Last June I decided to run We Own The Night in Amsterdam and I saw that Patta was looking for runners to join that race as a crew member. You first had to “audition“ and I must tell, I was a bit nervous. But I made it and was allowed to join the crew during that race. I had dreamed about running with that crew since the day I begun. I didn’t expect they would actually ask me to join after We Own The Night but they did!

Running with a crew is such a blessing. It makes you go further than you’ve ever been. Running makes me feel free and it clears my mind. After 3 miles you just go with what is and you don’t have to think about what is next.

I really want to go on more marathon trips with Patta. For example I had the chance to participate at the Nike Soweto Marathon this yearbut I had to say no. So that is what I’m looking forward to in the future: running a race in as many cities as possible. My goal is to run a half marathon. Because I haven’t done that before and I’m kinda ashamed of myself!

I’m an indie runner because I run when I want and where I want. I often run without a destination to keep it exciting. And I love to run when everyone else is asleep, at night. It gives a different feeling, like you own the streets.

- Follow her on instagram: @yessicasarah

#RunRevolution

One of the most phoenomenal runners that I have come across, she decided she could win a race and she did. She kicked off "THE WOMEN" series which ran throughout August to celebrate and empower women, through interviewing female runners. You can read about her second consecutive win of the Orchard Street Runners Midnight Half and read her "THE WOMEN" interview here.

My name is Leigh Gerson. I'm 30 years old. I'm a runner, an outside the box thinker, a gulper of life, and doer of sometimes extraordinary things

Based out of NYC, I run with everybody who wants to run with me #crewlove

Running has given me more than I can put down in a sentence or two, but I'll just say that the people I have met through running have encouraged me to reach above and beyond what I ever thought I could achieve. They know who they are. The international race experiences have been pretty spectacular as well

I would like to give back more. I want to keep inspiring and go on epic adventures. I want to keep running and improving both physically and mentally. I don't see any limits for what the future holds

What makes me an indierunner? My point of view. It's mine and mine alone. I see every day as a different, every run as a learning experience and life as something that shouldn't be taken for granted. Work hard then work harder. Never settle.

- Follow her on instagram: @gersonperson

#RunRevolution

- follow her on instagram: @khosi_everyday

3. What you have gained from running?
I have gained the pleasure and liberty and new friends.. Did I mention fitness?

4. What you hope to achieve in future?
The future is just too bright and hope to run a 21km and be more disciplined.

5. What makes you an indie runner?
I am permanently HAPPY! When I'm not, i'm just pretending for that moment.

- Follow him on instagram: @heirpic

#RunRevolution

I am Todd (RunningTodd), 37 years old and I am based in Sydney Australia. By day I work in an office and every other moment I run with my running community or by myself.

I run with Sydney Harbour Runners in Sydney Australia - we run every Tuesday night in the CBD

Running has taught me so much about myself, and about others. It’s taught me to be persistent, have self respect, be dedicated, work towards my goals and respect the results of the effort I put in. It has also taught be how much of what I do can inspire and help other people to achieve their goals.

At the moment I want to build the Sydney Harbour Running Community into a recognised group of people who come together once a week to run, chat, bond, and have fun. Personally I want to run more distance and trails - I’ve found as I get older it’s more about the journey and people I meet and not the times.

This question is probably better answered by my running buddies, but I would put it down to my drive and passion for running and seeing my fellow runners perform and reach their goals. Running is a joy to be shared and shared again with everyone!

- follow him on instagram: @runningtodd

1. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

Ridhwaana Baradien, 26. I’m a trained PR professional currently working in government communications. And I moonlight as a photographer.

2. Location and crew?

Born and based in Cape Town, South Africa and run with a crew called The Nine Four (Cape Town’s finest).

3. What you have gained from running?

Definitely not weight… (jokes) Apart from the obvious health benefits, I’ve literally gained a new outlook on life. I get to see my City from a runner’s view which is so interesting and unique. My crew is always on the lookout for different places to run – more scenic, more challenging

As a person I’ve become more productive, on weekends especially, I’m up earlier so I have more hours in my day. I’ve learnt how to prioritise work/family/life better – when you run with a crew you WILL feel bad when you can’t make it to a run so prioritising is a useful life skill I’ve gained.

I’ve also learnt that consistency with anything in life is key. The more you do or work at something the better at it you will become.

I’ve gained new family members. #familyvalues #theninefour

9 months ago I was struggling to complete a 1km and I’ve just finished my first 21km – that’s a huge gain for me.

4.What you hope to achieve in the future?

I’d love to do a full marathon at least once in my life.

Hopefully inspire others to start running and even to start their own running crews - be a part of the run revolution. That would be amazing.

5. What makes you an Indie Runner?

I’m a maverick – I run for myself, to improve myself. I love indie music and running!

1. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

2. Location and crew?

3. What you have gained from running?

4. What you hope to achieve in future?

5. What makes you an indie runner?

I run to keep myself sane, I run to battle my destructive thinking and behaviour, I run to support and coach new runners, I run to travel the world and meet new people, I run for new experiences and challenges, I run to find out what I am capable of. 


- Follow her on instagram: @msconquest


#RunRevolution 

While viewing people's instagram feeds I came across Vicky and immediately I wanted her to join my bus of indie runners. From her daily doodles to her running pictures I am always inspired by her to grow the #RunRevolution movement. 

Q. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

A. My name is Victoria Lo, i'm 29, and I'm an interactive / digital graphic designer (by day!)

Q. Location and crew?

A. I live in Brooklyn, New York. I run with Black RosesNYC as well as NYC BridgeRunners. Crewlove!

Q. What you have gained from running?

A. Individually, I have gained a respect for my body, recovered (and am still always recovering) from eating disorders, lost roughly 50lb over the course of several years, and also become a much stronger person, both emotionally and physically! 

As a whole, I've made a lot of friends over the last year through running socially. It's amazing what running can do to bring people together, both locally and around the world. I've traveled to different countries, made new friends, and seen a myriad of new places all thanks to running.

Q. What you hope to achieve in future?

A. I want to run forever! Seriously though, if I can inspire just one person to put on a pair of running shoes and go for a run, a jog, or even a walk, I'm happy. I want to motivate people to be excited about fitness and health, and I think it's important to emphasize the balance between mental and physical wellness. Hopefully one day I can be an ambassador for healthy living :)

Q. What makes you an indie runner?

A. I think no matter what, at my core, I'm still a little bit of a lone wolf. I LOVE to run with my crews, don't get me wrong, but there is something so peaceful and therapeutic about a good, long, solo run. I'll run anywhere, anytime. I've never been scared to run out in the open, even when I was overweight and could barely run for 5 minutes. I think people worry too much about what other people think about them. I believe in being fearless and just diving head first into it. As an individual, I always try to push my limits and strive to achieve something that I thought I couldn't before, whether that's a new PB or just better form. I find joy in the struggle and enlightenment in sweat!

- Follow her on instagram: @vicssss

#RunRevolution

1. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

My name is Miloš Spartak and I am 29 years old and I live in Belgrade, Serbia. At the moment I am working as a personal trainer and a trainer in the Belgrade Running Club, the biggest club for recreational running in Serbia, as well as the region. I am also a part of the Serbia Running Project, which is an invite-only, sub-elite collective of athletes who push the borders of running and bridging the gap between amateur and professional runners.

2. Location and crew?

Belgrade Running Club, Serbia

3. What you have gained from running?

Running brings me complete freedom. As I run, I am able to focus on myself and get in touch with nature which brings me positive energy. Not only did I get stronger physically, but also mentally because I find that running strengthens the mind as well as our soul.

4. What you hope to achieve in future?

The other thing I expect running will bring me is many more races in different parts of the world where I will get the opportunity to meet the locals and their culture. I wont to lift my spirits ever more, and instead of running, start flying above the track.

5. What makes you an indie runner?

1. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

Katherine aka HuiXin, 25, I'm an accountant and a run addict.

2. Location and crew?

3. What you have gained from running?

4. What you hope to achieve in future?

5. What makes you an indie runner?

I´m Pablo Brea, 26 years old from Santiago de Compostela (in the north-west of Spain). Nowadays I´m finishing my studies at the university (just 4 subjects left to finish my degree in business administration and direction) and also I´m studying one MBA.

I used to run 3-4 times per week with my old brother (he is 34 years old) and with some friends, but I also like to run alone , just me, my earphones and the path. Like I always say, I run in completely different ways, when I run with people I used to run like “normal” people, “standard paths”. But it´s when I run alone, that I like to create my own paths in the forest, crossing rivers, jumping, falling down through the grass, helping myself with the hands to “climb” tough hills, and bleeding haha always bleeding.. but happy alike.

I started to run 4 years ago with my ex girlfriend, but I always practice sports, I played as goalkeeper for more than 15 years (nowadays I still play, but not at the same level) and I love to dive, I practice freediving and spearfishing (now I can dive up to -30m just with one breath), that why I run so much, to be fit and keep my low pulse so I can keep my breath for minutes and enjoy the sea.

I don´t want to run a marathon but i would like to improve my pace in half marathon like 4´15” or 4´10 per kilometer, and try to run one trail race.

I consider myself a runner 2.0, I like to share my races, my pace, my routes and running pictures in social networks with my friends and with people that I don´t know, and every like that i receive, is like injection of extra motivation to keep running, to keep improving and to keep sharing all that things on instagram, twitter, fb... 

Also I made of running a way of life, years ago i planned travels as a "normal" person, nowadays there is no place that I don´t carry my running shoes with me, to the beach, when i spent a weekend out with my friends or my family, even the last academic year, I was studying in Poland in a exchange program, and i run all over Europe, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, England, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia & Austria.. there is always place in my suitcase for my running shoes and I love to discover new cities and new places running them, and of course sharing it.

New York City and Virginia Tech (#ironrunnersnyc @therisenyc) - USA

- follow her on instagram: @runtorrun

#RunRevolution

In the early morning, as dawn breaks, one can usually catch a figure running through the streets of Los Angeles. His abnormally muscular, sprinter legs sport black compression sleeves over his calves, a navy-blue bandana tied around his head, black sunglasses on his face, and is accessorized with a long black-greyish beard. Mark Casas is a native Angelino with a contagious passion for running. He is an “Indie Runner” that strives to start his own “Running Revolution” among his peers and anyone who is willing to join along.

Infatuated with running from the time his father began to tell him stories about his Track and Field races at East LA College in the 1950’s, Mark ran his first 5K at the age of 11. As a former competitor and coach, Mark has gained much from running. From his early to mid 30’s Mark had a love/hate, on-again/off-again relationship with running.

I started running in January 2014, and have gained a number of things so far. Those things are friends, accountability/support, better health, and opportunities. The friends that I have met so far from running have made such a huge impact on my life. From non-running activities to actually running the streets of Manhattan, there is always a friendly runner with me. With friendship comes accountability. If I am training for a race, I know that I can count on a running friend to support me during that time. Many have made sure I am sticking to my workouts, meals, etc. Running, especially race training, helps me to stick to meal prepping. Lastly, running has brought me the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon within my first year of running. 

My next goal for 2015 in running is to get stronger and faster. I know I can run the distance. I just want to get there faster, and craft my skills. 

I believe that I am an indie runner because although I gained a lot of things from running, I did start with nothing and at mile zero. I make sure every day to inspire that new runner through my Instagram name @adamrunsnyc. With this tool, I am able to reach runners and non-runners all over the world. 

- Follow him on instagram: @adamrunsnyc

#werunuptown 

#RunRevolution

#RunRevolution

1. Who you are, how old you are and what you do?

My name is Jane Koroleva,I am a 20 years old student.

2. Location and crew?

I live in Moscow, Russia and run with @gorkyparkrunners. It is my crew and my inspiration.

3. What you have gained from running?

I run because it always takes me where I want to go and gives me lots of things I've ever dreamt of. Due to running I met all this amazing people around me, people who see everything in a positive way and support each other in any situation. Each of them impacted on me not only in my running life, but in my ordinary life too, even if it is a person with whom we were not so close, it doesn't matter, running really brings good people together and every person gets from it something that is necessary for him/her at this period of their life. Running also helps me to free my mind, I like to put a lot of unnecessary things into my head, I think many people do so, it is impossible to control, but then comes the moment when it starts to put pressure on you. And running, I can say exactly, the best way to help yourself in such situation. Every run is very important for me, it doesn't matter if I run with my friends or alone, every time I finish running, a wave of positive emotions overwhelms me. A person who has never gone out for a run, can't understand this, you have to feel it at least once, you will not be able to stop, I promise:)

4. What you hope to achieve in future?

I would like to run a marathon someday, I can't imagine it now, my limit is a half, but I am going to train hard and expand the boundaries!

5. What makes you an indie runner?

In my opinion, running is not about differences, other way round, this movement brings together more and more people every day, people from different countries, from different continents, and they can always get together and find a lot of things in common, talk and have fun, that's what I like in running most of all.



- Follow her on instagram: @vesnshk