BlacklistLA: Connecting Los Angeles Through Art, Community, and the Streets

BlacklistLA began as a volunteer project in 2013, with the goal of changing what running could mean in Los Angeles. The founders wanted more than just a club—they wanted a way for people to connect, discover the city’s culture, and share their stories. As a non-profit, every bit of support goes straight into making that happen.

BlacklistLA believes running is a way to connect people. The idea is simple: get folks out on the streets, exploring LA on foot, and you start to see the city—and each other—differently. Co-founder Erik Valiente and the team have worked to break down the walls that separate neighborhoods, linking places like Downtown, Koreatown, Hollywood, and Echo Park through shared runs.

BlacklistLA’s events are about more than just running—they’re about sharing the city with others. The group teams up with local artists to highlight street art and uses the Metro to reach new neighborhoods. It’s a way to experience LA’s art, transit, and communities up close, making every run feel like a new adventure.

BlacklistLA’s culture is all about energy and variety, just like LA itself. Every Monday night, more than 300 people meet up at 10 p.m. to run to different street art spots. Wednesdays are for the Metro Run, where the group hops on public transit to check out new neighborhoods. Saturdays are for longer runs, usually 8 miles or more. They also run a marathon training program called Project 42/42 and put on their own race, the HBD LA 5K, as a way to celebrate the city.

BlacklistLA’s motto is simple: "Are you in or nah?" Everyone’s welcome, and all their events are free. If you want to join or find out where they’re meeting next, just check their social media for the latest updates.

BlacklistLA is just one part of LA’s huge running scene. There are plenty of other crews, each with their own style—like Koreatown Run Club (KRC), which brings people together in Koreatown, and Venice Run Club, which has a relaxed, beachy vibe. All these groups help make running in LA feel fresh and full of options.

BlacklistLA’s runs are all about exploring the city. They pick different neighborhoods each time—Downtown, Koreatown, Hollywood, Echo Park, Culver City—so you get to see a new side of LA with every run. Instead of repeating the same route, they plan each run around a piece of street art or a cool spot, so it always feels fresh.

LA’s running calendar is packed with big events. The Los Angeles Marathon is the main one, taking runners from Dodger Stadium all the way to Santa Monica. There’s also the Santa Monica Classic 10k and 5k, plus lots of half marathons and fun runs throughout the year. It’s a city that loves to stay active.