Center City holds 2nd annual Mural Run

Center City of Amarillo held its 2nd annual Mural Run, with an expanded field and more running events, Saturday morning in downtown Amarillo.

Ruckus of the Amarillo Sod Poodles leads runners past the start line Saturday at the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Ruckus of the Amarillo Sod Poodles leads runners past the start line Saturday at the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.

According to Beth Duke, executive director of the Center City of Amarillo, this year’s event doubled participation from the 125 people participating in the first annual run. This year’s run added a 10K race to go with the 5K and one-mile fun run/walk.

Runners start the first leg of the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Runners start the first leg of the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A group of runners run down Tyler Street Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A group of runners run down Tyler Street Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Jackson Knapp, the eventual winner of the Center City Mural Run 10K, stops to pick up the cap of an Amarillo Globe-News photographer Saturday in downtown Amarillo.
Jackson Knapp, the eventual winner of the Center City Mural Run 10K, stops to pick up the cap of an Amarillo Globe-News photographer Saturday in downtown Amarillo.
Alex Pinter, a 17-year-old Randall high schooler, approaches the finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Alex Pinter, a 17-year-old Randall high schooler, approaches the finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Jason Knapp, winner of the 10K, approaches the finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Jason Knapp, winner of the 10K, approaches the finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Nelly Ramirez of Telemundo in Amarillo runs down Tyler Street Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Nelly Ramirez of Telemundo in Amarillo runs down Tyler Street Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A motorcycle escort leads Jason Knapp down the final stretch of the 10K run Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A motorcycle escort leads Jason Knapp down the final stretch of the 10K run Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A runner looks over the views Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A runner looks over the views Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A runner approaches the  finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
A runner approaches the finish line Saturday in the 2023 Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Runners get stretched out doing Zumba Saturday morning before the 2nd annual Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Runners get stretched out doing Zumba Saturday morning before the 2nd annual Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.

“Last year was our first year, and it is so great to be able to expand this event to get more people involved,” Duke said. "We added a longer race and are excited that this event is going to grow and grow. We do events like this so that we can provide free events throughout the year.”

Beth Duke, executive director of Center City, shares a moment with Ruckus of the Amarillo Sod Poodles Saturday morning at the Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.
Beth Duke, executive director of Center City, shares a moment with Ruckus of the Amarillo Sod Poodles Saturday morning at the Center City Mural Run in downtown Amarillo.

She said that events like this help to fund other annual events like the concert series High Noon on the Square and Jazztober, as well as the Community Market and the yearly Electric Light Parade.

“This is such a great event because it combines music, murals and fitness,” Duke said of the Mural Run. "This is a great family-friendly event where people can see all the great public art and murals that we have in the downtown area. Our goal is to keep it growing to make people happy. It was so great to see so many people come out for the event.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Center City holds 2nd annual Mural Run