Pro Bono Branding & Event Design for Run for Myles

From inception to execution — building the identity, website, and marketing for a community run/walk that drew 200+ participants and raised over $35,000
Introduction
Run for Myles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created by family and friends to honor the legacy of Myles Helm, a devoted Rancho Palos Verdes, California resident who loved running the coastal trails. The inaugural 5k/10k coincided with the city’s 50th anniversary and was organized in partnership with the RPV City Council. The event served both as a tribute to Myles and as a fundraiser to preserve the parks, trails, and coastline he cherished. As a first-time event, the organizers needed a credible presence to inspire participation, secure sponsors, and build trust with the local community.
My Role
I worked pro bono as the brand and marketing designer, creating the event logo and visual identity and applying it across email campaigns, social media, print collateral, merchandise, and on-site materials like signage, medals, and t-shirts. I also designed and developed the website, giving the organizers a professional platform for registration, donations, and race details. Having lived in Rancho Palos Verdes, I understood how central the coastline and trails are to the community, which informed my design decisions.

Logo Design + Visual Identity

“Run for Myles” has charm, but it’s easy to misinterpret as ‘run for miles’ if you don’t know the story behind it. To make the brand clear, I designed a logo featuring Myles and the Point Vicente Lighthouse, an iconic RPV landmark. Because multi-colored logos can be tricky in print, I created flexible versions so the emblem and wordmark could be used together or separately across applications.

Myles completed countless Ironman triathlons, so I wanted the visual identity to connect back to that part of his story. For typography, I chose Titillium, the same font used in the Ironman logo. It felt like the right fit — strong, modern, and rooted in endurance sport. The color palette was inspired by the bold tones of Gatorade flavors, giving the identity an energetic, familiar look rooted in racing culture.

Selected Marketing Samples

Outcome

The inaugural Run for Myles drew over 200 participants and raised $35,000 to support RPV parks, trails, and landslide relief. Its strong launch built credibility with the community and city partners, paving the way for it to become an annual tradition.

The website played a central role by sharing Myles’ story and his connection to Rancho Palos Verdes, while also handling registration and donations and helping secure press coverage that established Run for Myles as a credible nonprofit. The branding and marketing foundation I created gave the organizers a professional starting point while still leaving them the flexibility to adapt the identity in future years.
Event video reel showcased as the homepage hero.

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