I'm Megan DeMarco, a proud Erie transplant with a passion for running, real estate, and uncovering hidden gems in the Gem City.

 

In the summer of 2023, an article I read on Strava Stories inspired me. It was about an ultrarunner named Rickey Gates who ran every single street in San Francisco. Rickey coined the term “Every Single Street Challenge.” The concept was simple: explore every single street in your city.

 

However, this challenge is easier said than done. With a strong competitive spirit, Every Single Street called to me. I love off-the-beaten-path athletic challenges. I love staying active. And, I love Erie. 

 

As a runner and Realtor, I thought to myself, What better way to know your city than to run along every single one of its streets? 

 

I’ve found countless hidden gems in Gem City (I’m taking photographs along the way). The Realtor in me can’t help but take pictures of homes with exceptional curb appeal and, of course, houses with For Sale signs in the front yard.

 

There is just so much to explore, from playgrounds, murals, community gardens, and free libraries to mom-and-pop shops, bustling restaurants, corner bars, and cafes. I’ve stumbled upon unfamiliar roads, meandered down old trails, and darted in and out of all-but-forgotten alleyways.

 

With every run I take to fulfill my mission of running every single street in Erie, the more I appreciate and realize just how special our city is. I also echo Gates’s sentiment when he reflected on his experience of running every street in San Francisco. “This project creates a pathway towards empathy. Knowing how other people live… is a first-hand (foot) approach to popping the bubbles we live in and appreciating our differences for what they are.

 

My hope is that Every Single Street Erie will inspire people to explore what’s right outside their front doors. Maybe you run it like me. Or perhaps you walk it or cycle through it. However you enjoy exploring, do it. It provides an opportunity to explore what makes all of Erie’s neighborhoods and cultures within them unique.

 

I’m inviting everyone to follow along as I run Erie’s streets and document the hidden gems I find. You can follow me on Strava and Instagram for regular updates.