ANDREA DAI

09/25/2017 - Over 4500 people celebrated the Running Music Festival held by Night Nation Saturday, Sept. 23. Filled with live music, light-shows, and dancers, participants embarked on an electrifying, exhilarating electronic dance music (EDM) journey.

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“We want to create a fun and healthy way to experience a music festival by blending the running community and EDM community, “said Hanna Basler, the Marketing Coordinator for Night Nation Run, “we created the perfect blend of fitness, music and fun.”

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DJ X pumped up the crowd before the race. People got loose, danced all the way to get prepare for the waves.

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Shaniqua Smith, 35, who lives in Baltimore and comes here every year, was here with her son. “Just to walk, to have fun, and to meet different people,” she said. “And there is a warm up pre-party, little games, and after this one they have an after party at the Power Plant which is downtown in Inner Harbor, for over 21,” she added.

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After the pre-party, racers went through an illuminated racecourse along with multiple party zones. There were live DJs, free giveaways, and selfie areas. People could run, walk, or even dance through the whole way. The Main Stage After Party, the highlight of the festival, was awaiting at the finish line. More music, more dancing, and more lights, Baltimore saw a grand music voyage that night.

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“This one is not really more for competition it is more for fun,” Chynna Smith, coming here for the first time with her best friends. “One of my friends actually passed away this summer, so we decided to come here in memory of her.”

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Not just for entertainment, The Night Nation Run also serves as an official charity to support Stand Up to Cancer, an organization to accelerate innovative cancer research. A portion of each ticket and official t-shirt sales would be donated.

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“We were happy to support the cancer, and I think it is a lot of fun.” Karen Freeman, 51, a Baltimore resident who came here for the first time with her friends and daughter. 

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Andrew Thomas, from Virginia, joining this with his cousin, Taha, were also here to stand up for cancer. “We are here not only for the music, but for the cancer. We would definitely come back! I love it!”

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Starting in 2014, Night Nation has grown significantly over the years now with 30 plus events in the US and Canada, and has even reached internationally including Japan, South Africa, Australia and South America, according to Hanna. It would be held in six more states this year, and in Sydney, Australia, and would keep going on in 2018.