The ‘Donkey Run’ Will Take Over Philly This Weekend, Just Before The Democratic National Convention

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“To be honest, I saw it not for the political tie, but for the really cool art installation we have here in Philly,” says Rebecca Barber, the mind behind the DNC Donkey Run. The installation includes 57 beautiful equines on display as part of Donkeys Around Town — a civic arts initiative by the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee as part of the Democratic National Convention. As for the run, which goes down Saturday, July 16 at 8 a.m. local time, it will lead participants past every single one of the statues representing all 50 states, five U.S. territories, Washington, D.C. and Democrats Abroad. It’s all for fun, says Barber, though she tells Uproxx, “Some people will not be able to separate them from their political connection.”

Like the anti-fracking protesters who vandalized some statues with piles of fake poop and washable paint. The group responsible, Food & Water Watch, expressed disappointment with the DNC’s apparent “failure to call for a ban on fracking in the party platform.” For some, protest actions like this (and those planned by Bernie Sanders supporters) make sense. For Barber and others like her, however, the donkeys are less political and more of a “scavenger hunt only we get to have.”

Then again, describing the DNC Donkey Run as nothing more than a glorified scavenger hunt might be the least dignified sales pitch imaginable. The event is another buzz-worthy cultural tour hatched by the same creative mind that organized the first Rocky 50k. Every year since 2013, Barber and her fellow runners have followed the 30.61 miles allegedly depicted by Sylvester Stallone’s famous jaunt up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Rocky II. Yes, that’s a lot of miles, and yes, Barber’s latest creation only manages half the length. But considering what’s at stake for Philly, the Democratic Party and, come November, the country, this adventure might be Barber’s biggest one yet.

“I have always been interested in politics,” says Barber, “and to have such a big event here really shows that Philadelphia is starting to get the respect it so deserves.” The natives can “sometimes be passionate to a fault,” but as the social media professional sees it, perhaps the delegates, pundits and journalists who attend the convention will “recognize how great this city is.”

Chris Alvin, founder of Philly Distance Runners and co-host of the DNC Donkey Run, couldn’t agree more. “I absolutely love my city and all the amazing things happening here,” he exclaims. From Pope Francis’ visit in 2015 to the 2000 Republican National Convention, the native Philadelphian couldn’t be more proud of his hometown’s standing as “a gracious host to the citizens of the world.”

So how did Barber and Alvin first stumble upon the idea to lead runners along a donkey-filled obstacle course? It all began with a Facebook post about the art installation Barber saw in April, when it was first announced. “I immediately thought, ‘this has to be a run.’ It seemed like too cool of an opportunity for it not to be one,” she explains. Much like the Rocky 50k before it, Barber sent queries to local running groups’ social media pages and immediately received a massive response.

She then contacted Alvin about organizing a race based on the donkeys’ locations. “I was elated,” he says, adding: “Here I was getting the chance to team up with the creator of the Rocky 50k, my favorite Philly run, and a personal hero of mine.” The two quickly set about finalizing a route with the help of cartographer Jason Sladinski, the direct result being a 15.79-mile trek ending on the University of Philadelphia campus. That’s where, come the race’s end around 10:35 a.m. local time, everyone who signs up on Facebook and completes the journey will celebrate with refreshments and “maybe even some music and dancing.”

Currently, 89 people are registered to attend Saturday’s DNC Donkey Run. Considering the 336 other users who’ve expressed interest in the event, however, Barber and Alvin are confident at least a hundred Philly runners and donkey art enthusiasts will show up for the festivities. “That’s probably my favorite thing about running in this city,” Barber notes. “Everyone in the running community here is so supportive and passionate. It’s hard not to love running here.”

Who knows? Maybe they’ll set a fine example for the Democratic National Convention before the Wells Fargo Center opens its doors on Monday, July 25. Fracking opinions to the contrary, it is possible for people to come together to debate and discuss the beliefs they hold most dear. People like Rebecca Barber and Chris Alvin do it every time they decide to go for a lengthy run around town with their fellows. Shouldn’t Clinton supporters, Sanders delegates and groups like Food & Water Watch be capable of the same?

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