Running of the Gnomes 2014





It’s time for the annual Running of the Gnomes charity event! I’d heard about this mass migration of miniature magenta manes before, but I’m excited to be participating for the first time this year. Dravvie, who organizes the event, was kind enough to fill me in on what the run is all about.





Q. First of all, what the heck is the Running of the Gnomes? It sort of sounds like it might not end well for said gnomes…

A. Running of the Gnomes is a fundraiser slash awareness event created by the now mostly quiet SeeD of Scarlet Crusade back in 2009. Low level gnomes (mostly level 1s!) with pink hair run from the starting zone to booty bay with the hopes that it will spark conversation about Cancer, and Breast Cancer awareness with the gaming community. All of this happens while having a survival style race that sort of mimics the real life walks and races that some people miss out on being able to go to because of various commitments or real life roadblocks. We also every year pick a charity to fundraise for, asking people to donate a small amount, under the idea that even a small act can make a big difference.

One of the best parts is that people get a chance to spend time with several hundred other players from all over the world all in one place! Some speak different languages, some are visiting from the EU servers. It’s amazing!









Q. Not that I’m judging your excellent taste in playable races or hair colors, but why pink-haired gnomes?

A. When we thought up the gnome run it was just an event for our guild and some friends, when it was still an active raiding guild. We thought maybe make a bunch of pink shirts, invite friendly guilds; but then the materials and bank space and trying to guess how many to make became a weird numbers game with the officers. So instead of making shirts, someone suggested trolls or gnomes. Somehow the idea of gnomes doing the run was really cute and funny to me, and the have really pretty colors of pink hair, and we were way behind the small acts of kindness idea so…Gnomes were the perfect fit! Plus they’re perfect for all the crazy, wacky, adorable names we’ve seen.

The first year we only expected about 40-60 people and threw together the run in about two weeks, and got 140 people. It’s a good thing we didn’t go with shirts, I would never be able to keep up now!





Q. Can running our little gnome legs off really help fight breast cancer?

A. The run works two different ways to help fight breast cancer. Several hundred gnomes will make people talk about whatever you want them to! And opening up the discussion, even if we wrap it in a cute package that’s doing something scary like facing down spiders and tigers and gorillas is a good way to talk about being brave and not putting off taking care of your health or talking to loved ones about taking care of themselves.



When the run first started, we decided to make pledges amongst ourselves that for every gnome who came we’d donate a type of “Small change” such as quarters, nickels or dimes, per gnome who showed up each year. Some people still donate per gnome, and we announce the numbers every year all over social media, or some donate a flat amount.



We fundraise for the Cleveland Clinic, and the work they are doing on the Touhy Vaccine which will be used to prevent breast cancer in adults. You can donate here.

We also say if there’s another local charity or other organization you wish to donate to in the spirit of the run in, we think that’s also awesome too!





Q. And when and where does all this go down?

A. October 11th, 2014. Scarlet Crusade-US, Alliance Side at 8pm EST. I tell everyone to show up a bit early! 8pm is when the gnomes head out, so keep in mind that the “pit crew” will be there extra early to hand out guild invites and tabards for a few hours before hand.

We’ll be starting in the Gnome starting zone, right where they spawn, no need to do any quests or anything, and ending in Booty Bay on top of the roof of the auction house! There’s a free for all after party, where we will visit Orgrimmar, and attempt to /lick or /hug Garrosh! Some stay outside and party with our Horde escorts instead. The choice is yours!





Q. As a veteran of the run, do you have any tips? What happens if I get lost or die?

A. When you first log in /join GNOMERUN. There’s tons of chatter in the channel and even though we have two or maybe more this year guilds for gnomes, you’ll have that channel to talk to even the people visiting from the EU servers!

The tram is the trickiest part of the whole run. If you get on the tram without falling off, you have done better than me two out of four years not counting test runs. (I fell off every test run.)

I have done most of the runs on a level 1 locked gnome, though last year I did the run on a gnome who did level as she ran. My best tip is, when you get to a new zone, and the phasing effects of cross realm zone makes you feel like you are all alone, the server did not crash I promise! Just keep running, you will find your gnomes again!

If you die, or get really lost ask for help in the gnome run channel. There’s a few high level people rescuing others out there and helping them catch up if they get really turned around! Otherwise, follow the pink haired gnomes to safety!





If you have any questions, you can catch Dravvie on Twitter. See you Saturday!