A marathon runner from Tokyo has taken fitness and creativity to a new level by transforming his daily runs into stunning pieces of GPS art. Using a GPS tracking app, the runner maps out detailed routes ahead of time and jogs through the city streets to “draw” intricate images ranging from animals and portraits to cartoon characters and inspirational words.
The runner, identified as Kenji Yamamoto, a 32-year-old software engineer and fitness enthusiast, said he started the unique art project during the COVID-19 lockdowns to stay mentally engaged. “Running gives me peace, but turning each run into a creative challenge makes it even more fulfilling,” he shared.
So far, Kenji has created over 150 GPS artworks, which have gone viral on social media and inspired other runners worldwide to try “GPS art running.”
Experts have praised the idea as a blend of athleticism, planning, and artistry. Urban planners and fitness coaches alike believe this movement could encourage more people to explore their cities on foot — creatively and healthily.
Kenji is now planning a cross-country GPS art tour across Japan and hopes to break the world record for the largest GPS art ever created.
