Runners explore contemporary artwork at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche event

This weekend in Toronto, runners got together to chase down and photograph contemporary art displays at Nuit Blanche– the city’s one-night art show that happens each year in early fall.

Called Nuit Blanche 10K Scramble, this event was hosted by Toronto run crew The Parkdale Roadrunners. Those who entered to take part met up with fellow runners downtown Toronto at 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 3. The 10K Scramble is an event that seems to blend racing and casual running with friends in that it’s technically a race but participants set the route.

Confused? Here’s how it works: Runners met at the set location on Queen Street and were given a map and a list of Nuit Blanche exhibits. Using their own speed and knowledge of the city, (think alleys, side roads, short cuts, etc.) the runners had to make their way around Toronto visiting each of the art pieces. To prove that they reached it, they had to Instagram a photo of each one. (Once entered into the event, they would be followed on Instagram by @nuitblanche10Kscramble and their progress would be tracked.) The first man and woman to make it back to the cafe on Queen Street would be the official winners.

About Nuit Blanche

Nuit Blanche has run every year since 2006 in early fall. The Scotiabank-sponsored event takes place in Toronto’s downtown with contemporary art exhibits coming from hundreds of artists, both local and international. The event lasts from sunset to sunrise with contemporary art pieces running the gamut from interactive installations to light shows to live performances to sculpture.

The one-night event briefly transforms Toronto streets to a museum. This year was the 10th annual Nuit Blanche and it’s estimated that it brings around one million visitors who come to experience art for the night.

The Parkdale Roadrunners challenge is limited in size but costs runners only $5.00 to enter.

Runner shots from the event:

Your eye inside out. #nb10kscramble #nuitblanche #snbto

A photo posted by Avery Shaw (@avshaw) on Oct 3, 2015 at 7:56pm PDT

#nb10kscramble, #thatwas A photo posted by Cliff Mark (@clifford.mark) on Oct 3, 2015 at 7:55pm PDT

Mimir’s well #nb10kscramble #pdrr #nuitblanche

A photo posted by b r : d g e t (@bridgetzhang) on Oct 3, 2015 at 7:56pm PDT

Creatures of memory. #nb10kscramble A photo posted by Omar (@omeboy) on Oct 3, 2015 at 8:03pm PDT

#nb10kscramble creatures of memory

A photo posted by @pkwok28 on Oct 3, 2015 at 8:16pm PDT

Consumption Overload #nb10kscramble #snbto #pdrr A photo posted by Steven Artemiw (@stevenartemiw) on Oct 3, 2015 at 7:41pm PDT

who called me estrogen champ? thank you for the flowers @birdamyflying #nb10kscramble #pdrr

A photo posted by jennyseo (@sennyjeo) on Oct 4, 2015 at 7:27am PDT

My only photo phone died thanks @parkdaleroadrunners dope night #nb10kscramble

A photo posted by Juice (@retrojuice83) on Oct 3, 2015 at 8:39pm PDT

Most favourite way to take in Nuit Blanche? RUNNING IT! Apologies for blowing up your IG feed tonight with ten dreadful photos (which have since been deleted) but it was the @parkdaleroadrunners Nuit Blanche 10k Scramble! Ran the course with this chiquita and we crossed the finish line in second place hand in hand (so rogue!). Thank you so much to the organizers for planning a wicked evening! Congrats @stevenartemiw @dc_fit_lab @sennyjeo @sambots White Andrew and of course @anya_exposd xo #nb10kscramble #nuitblanche #PDRR #PDRRladies #Toronto #nuitblanche

A photo posted by Melanie (@melanie.bw) on Oct 3, 2015 at 10:26pm PDT

Done and done #nb10kscramble #notonthelist #magicpony #pdrr #alwaysontherun #runniversary #oneyear

A photo posted by Kelly Spence (@kellyzoe) on Oct 3, 2015 at 9:09pm PDT