Robert 'Raven' Kraft celebrated his 50-year running streak on New Year's Eve with a community of runners who have become like family to him.
A few hours before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, upward of a hundred runners were celebrating on South Beach in Miami. But they weren’t popping champagne to ring in 2025. They were running Robert “Raven” Kraft’s traditional eight-mile route, which starts at 5th Street Lifeguard Station at 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. during Daylight Saving). And on December 31, 2024 Raven claimed a 50-year running streak. “People kept whispering in my ear that they love me,” Raven told Runner’s World.
The state of Florida proclaimed January 1 “Raven Day.” The city of Miami co-named Third Street and Ocean Drive, “Robert Raven Kraft Way.” And Raven received a plaque from the Streak Runners International, Inc., where the 74-year-old holds the top six spot of run streakers.“It made me feel loved, I’ll tell you,” he says.In November 2023, Raven’s chronic back pain forced him to decrease his daily mileage from eight to five—a move that pained as nearly as much as his back. He told Runner’s World at the time that he hoped to run the usual eight miles for special occasions like the 50th anniversary, which was a year away. “I ran 5.2 miles and I barely made it home,” he says. “I came down with a high fever...I thought I was having a stroke...these streaks are sometimes not easy.”That would be an understatement. Raven’s five decades of running have taken a toll on his body, and in some cases, his mind; he has missed weddings and parties and funerals because he can’t roam too far from South Beach—he would miss his 5:30 p.m./4:30 p.m. start.“I love baseball, but I can’t see a whole game.”Raven started running alone when he was 24; he was in a bad place, but over the years he grew a community, which he says, has given him a purpose. If he were to miss a run he might let someone down. But perhaps more than that, he might let himself down.“It’s routine and obsessive compulsive,” Raven finally says. “As soon as I wake up, I’m thinking about all the things I have to do to prepare myself. Soak my foot, make sure my shorts are right, that my shoes are good.”Raven’s Facebook page is filled with well-wishers and those who find inspiration from the musician-turned-runner. After the 18,250th consecutive run, Raven and his community—many traveled far and wide to be there—celebrated with an after-party, where the singer-songwriter performed to adoring fans. He saw Renaissance Man, with whom he hadn’t run in 14 years. He saw Razorback, a cancer survivor. He saw Terminator, with whom he first ran with in 1998. Raven’s community is also supporting him as he faces the possibility of losing his condo due to rising housing costs. The fundraising page lists nearly 200 donations, many of which are from fellow runners who sign the nickname Raven bestowed upon them. As Raven looks ahead at the next 50 years, he toys with the idea of loosening the reins a bit on his routine, especially as he spends more time writing and performing his music. “I’ll keep running, trying to keep the streak alive,” he says. “I’ll keep writing songs. I’d love to be able to record my songs and do a book of lyrics.
RUNNING STREAK ROBERT KRAFT COMMUNITY FLORIDA MUSICIAN
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