Runners, walkers and theater fans “who move well” made the most of a chilly March morning by joining in the first NYCRUNS Spring Fling 5K & 10K to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

More than 1,600 participants gathered March 25, 2023, on Governors Island in New York City for the latest incarnation of Broadway Run, a series of events that unite the theater running community.

The course included stellar views of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the impact of the event reached throughout New York City and across the country through nutritious meals, medication and health care.

While the morning’s weather delivered drizzle and temperatures hovering in the low 40s, the Spring Fling fundraisers brought the heat, pushing the event’s final total to an impressive $101,891.

The Spring Fling was open to everyone and the 100 who joined specifically through Broadway Cares pledged to each raise a minimum of $250, which provides 25 HIV tests at a clinic or 100 healthy meals for those living with HIV/AIDS or dealing with other debilitating illnesses.

Mickey-Jo Boucher (from the YouTube channel MickeyJoTheatre) was the top individual fundraiser, raising $10,169. He was followed by Brendon Henderson (from YouTube’s Wait in the Wings) with $4,310; Jimmy Brigman with $2,764; Bruce Sabbath with $2,586 and Zena Kaufman with $2,125.

The top fundraising team was Theater Tube, which featured seven theater YouTubers and TikTokers. Runners up in the team category were Buns on the Run and Mark Fisher Fitness.

Other individuals from the theater community who fundraised and participated in the Spring Fling included Trevor Braun from The Play That Goes Wrong, Ben Laxton and Keziah John Paul from The Book of Mormon, Jamie Salinger and Kate Wellhofer from Kimberly Akimbo, and Carrie St. Louis from Titanique. Suri Marrero, who performed in The Lion King and Frozen and is a veteran of past Broadway Run events, captained the Broadway Kids team.

Adding a Broadway flair to the event’s day-of festivities, Sarah Bowden from Moulin Rouge! The Musical performed the national anthem.

Spring Fling 5K & 10K sponsors included Bird in the Hand NYC, Margaritaville Resort Times Square, Mark Fisher Fitness, PepsiCo, Silver Mirror Facial Bar, Super Runners Shop and Wait in the Wings: A Theater History YouTube Channel.

Photos by Martha Magliula