RUnDAy

THE ARTIST

Zai is a nomadic storyteller and modern-day LIFE photographer, renowned for capturing raw, emotionally charged narratives that spotlight resilience, identity, and underrepresented communities. His signature black-and-white aesthetic, deeply influenced by his background in track and football, brings a cinematic intensity to dynamic moments, particularly in sports and cultural storytelling.

Through his lens, Zai delves into the cultural and personal realms, shedding light on underrepresented voices, especially within Black culture. His work emphasizes the raw emotion, strength, and intensity of athletes in motion, often highlighting the tension and energy in high-stakes moments.

Currently, Zai is embarking on a transformative four-month journey, documenting a Nike run coach's 3,500-mile cross-country run from Los Angeles to New York. This endeavor aims to raise awareness about heart disease, capturing the physical and emotional landscapes of the journey. Zai envisions using the Leica SL3 and telephoto lenses to authentically portray this narrative, aligning with his goal of becoming a Magnum photographer and continuing to tell stories that resonate deeply with the human spirit.

Zai doesn’t create imagery, he preserves legacy, represent culture, and create for the future.

JUNE 1

LOS ANGELES, CA

AUGUST 2

NEW ORLEANS, LA

OCTOBER 22

NEW YORK, NY

WHY Run Day?

Percell Dugger, also known as “Coach P,” is a nationally recognized running coach, writer, and wellness consultant, but more than anything, he’s a community builder.

Coach P believes in performance with purpose, where health, healing, and human connection intersect. He shows up so people can show up for themselves. In every space he leads, you’re invited to come as you are and leave stronger, freer, and more connected than when you arrived.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.—and it hits hardest in communities of color. After losing loved ones to this preventable disease, Coach P knew something had to change.

So he’s running 3,500 miles across the country to raise awareness, build local momentum, and shift the narrative around health.

RUNDAY is a nationwide celebration of movement. Along the way, Coach P is partnering with local run crews, artists, and wellness leaders to honor the people and stories that make running more than a sport—it’s a tool for healing, joy, and radical self-love.

JUNE 15

PHOENIX, AZ

SEPTEMBER 2

ATLANTA, GA

The Route

JULY 29

DALLAS, TX

OCTOBER 8

WASHINGTON, DC

Why Leica

IThis project is more than a documentation of a physical feat — it’s a living, breathing portrait of discipline, vulnerability, and the quiet power of endurance. As a photographer in pursuit of becoming part of Magnum Photos, I see this journey as a moment that transcends sport. Magnum photographers have long shaped how we understand the world — not just through aesthetics, but by offering clarity, nuance, and humanity to cultural events and everyday people alike. I want to continue in that lineage.

My photographic voice has been deeply influenced by the likes of Thomas Hoepker, Gordon Parks, and Eli Reed — artists who did more than capture images; they documented legacy. They humanized their subjects with reverence and intimacy, portraying leaders, artists, and changemakers as both iconic and profoundly real. That spirit guides how I approach photographing cultural influencers today — not as distant figures, but as people with a heartbeat, a mission, and a story worth telling.

With my own modern style — rooted in emotion, movement, and visual honesty — and my background in cinematography, the Leica SL3-S is the perfect run-and-gun camera to help me build this story with intention and agility. Its cinematic specs, full-frame capabilities, and superior low-light performance make it an ideal tool for a journey that will unfold across unpredictable terrains, lighting conditions, and emotional moments. I plan to utilize the 90–280mm and 14–24mm telephoto combo to craft layered storytelling — capturing the runner stretched against vast American landscapes, surrounded by the energy of his supporters across the country, and from a respectful distance during the moments when solitude, fatigue, or pain take over. This gear will allow me to stay present and discreet while still creating bold, timeless imagery worthy of this mission.

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