You might not know that Grammy-nominated rapper Gunna is a runner, but now he’s taking his passion to the next level. The 32-year-old Atlanta artist has partnered with NYCRuns to launch the Wunna Run 5K, a free, chip-timed race on a USATF-certified course in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Sept. 3.
The race sold out in less than 12 hours after it was announced, which is not surprising, given both its price tag (it’s free) and the chance to run alongside one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. The course will cover just under one loop of Prospect Park, finishing with a sprint up Center Drive. Registration for the event requires an NYCRuns account.
While his music career includes massive collaborations with well-known artists such as Future, Doja Cat, Travis Scott and Drake, Gunna is setting records off the stage, too. The rapper is using running to give back to the community, raising funds and awareness for the Great Giveaway Foundation, an Atlanta-based non-profit he founded to uplift underserved communities through service projects, resource giveaways and innovative programs for families in need. (Donations can be made to the foundation during registration.)
Gunna had a unique start to running. In a 2024 Men’s Health interview, he revealed that he started running almost every day after being released from jail in 2022 on racketeering charges, calling it a key part of his “physical and mental transformation.” Last year, on the Spotify Music podcast, he shared his ambitions to run a marathon (a goal he hasn’t hit yet), though fans have spotted him on social media logging miles, training in L.A.’s Runyon Canyon Park, which was featured in his music video for his new song “WONT STOP.”
He isn’t the first Grammy-nominated artist to hop into the running scene in the last five years. American electronic DJ and producer Diplo launched his own travelling run club and concert series in 2024, which has now expanded into almost a dozen cities across the U.S. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has also raced a few half-marathons and 5Ks, placing in the top 100 at the L.A. 5K race earlier this year in 22:31.
