Most runners have a favourite route. Past an open ocean, through a leafy park or past their favourite coffee shop to get a post-workout pick-me-up. But Lenny Maughan bases his runs on something quite unique – routes that he turns into artwork!
Lenny started out like all serious runners, trying routes with different levels of difficulty. And, like other serious runners, he also tracked his run meticulously on running apps. One day, as he logged in his route, he noticed that his path looked like a distinct shape. An idea struck him – why not run on courses that form pictures? Being a Star Trek fan, his decided to run in the shape of the Vulcan hand gesture that Dr Spock used in the film. He printed out the shape on paper and matched it to the streets of San Francisco. The next day, he drew his very first run illustration!
Amused by his idea, he began to do more. He drew out a television, the Batman logo, and a cat, amongst others.
One of his most impressive ‘works’ was when he drew out the face of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo which made him run a route of 46.5 km!
Lenny has made 53 illustrations and shows no sign of stopping. He has lived in San Francisco for over twenty years, and his love for the region comes through as he uses local ideas as inspiration. He has drawn the map of California, and in a touching tribute to firefighters who respond to the wildfires that often occur in these parts, he drew out a large firefighter’s helmet and axe.
In an interview with The Guardian, Lenny said that he had loved to draw when he was a child, and many people thought he would grow up to be an artist. No one could have guessed though that he would draw such wonders with his feet!
Written by: Pereena Lamba. Pereena is a freelance writer, editor and creative consultant. She is also co-author of Totally Mumbai.
