Raine DeDominici didn’t expect to run into a previous Tinder match at a Naruto run. They had been struggling to find common free time to meet for coffee, but finally had a chance to meet in person.
“It was a fun little adventure,” DeDominici, a freshman studying theater, said.
Friday morning's “Run like Naruto across College Green” brought people of all kinds together. Roughly 15 students gathered in front of Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium for what they deemed the first Naruto run.
A “Naruto run” is the term for a group of people sprinting with their arms behind them, inspired by the popular Japanese franchise of the same name.
The organizers were Sarah Schmitz, an undecided sophomore, and Annie Crawford, a senior studying print making. Schmitz was unable to attend due to a lung infection, according to Crawford.
Attendees heard about the event from a variety of sources.
Sally Gainey, an undecided freshman, was unaware of the event until her roommate informed her the morning of the event. On the other hand, Stephen Archinal, a junior studying integrated media, saw the post for the event on Facebook in September.
Archinal watched the anime series as a kid and still enjoys the franchise. He brought a small speaker to the event to play one of the Naruto theme songs.
The small but undeniably mighty group began in front of Galbreath Chapel at around 9 a.m. and ran across College Green and through Alumni Gateway.
“It’s kind of nice to be up this early and doing something active with everyone,” Gainey said.
Many students at the event referenced the recent Naruto memes.
“I think this is hilarious,” Gainey said.
Crawford was “really glad that people even showed up,” and proud of the attendees for their “commitment to the meme.”
Crawford had not met many of the people attending the event, including James Burns, a junior studying games and animation. Despite so, Burns carried her on his back as Crawford herself was too sick to run.
“Come to anime club,” Burns, the webmaster of JMAGE, a student organization that stands for Japanese Manga, Anime and Gaming Encounters, said. The club has weekly anime showings Fridays from 5 p.m. to midnight in Morton 237.
Burns said he was saddened by the fact Uptown Costume wasn’t open yet — he wanted to get a last minute Naruto headband.
Crawford said she was excited to see video recordings of the run.
“I want to show my mom,” she said.
Maggie Kuhns, a senior studying global studies — Asia, walked by the event and said she was glad the attendees were having fun.
“I wish I had that much energy this early in the morning,” Kuhns said.
The event as a whole was enjoyed by all in attendance.
“It was fun,” Gainey said.
