Strava art: Toronto man creates stickman animation

The Incredible Story Behind a Dancing Stickman Created on Strava

Duncan McCabe, a 32-year-old accountant from Toronto, dedicated 10 months of his life to creating a unique piece of art on the popular running app, Strava. While many thought he was training for a marathon, McCabe was actually meticulously planning and executing runs to bring a dancing stickman to life on the streets of Toronto’s west end.

Strava is a phone app that allows athletes to track their running activities. McCabe, who already had experience producing and editing videos for his YouTube channel, saw an opportunity to merge his passion for running with his hobby of creating animations. He set out to turn his running routes into a 30-second cartoon set to the tune of Sofi Tukker’s “Purple Hat”.

Using Toronto’s grid-like street system to his advantage, McCabe strategically mapped out his routes to create the illusion of a dancing stickman moving through different neighborhoods. He paid attention to details like street names to mark the stick figure’s imaginary spine, ensuring that it stayed centered in the frame as the map underneath him shifted.

Despite facing challenges like running in the rain and constantly checking his phone to stay on course, McCabe remained committed to his project. His dedication paid off when his animation caught the attention of millions online after being shared on social media platforms.

Brian Bell, Vice President of Global Communications and Social Impact at Strava, praised McCabe’s creativity and effort in bringing his vision to life. The Strava community also recognized the ingenuity behind McCabe’s in-motion animation, with many applauding his meticulous planning and execution.

The overwhelming support and recognition that McCabe has received for his project have been described as “unbelievable”. Even Sofi Tukker took notice of his efforts, sparking speculation about the possibility of more Strava-fueled animations in the future.

McCabe’s story serves as a testament to the power of creativity and dedication in turning a simple idea into a viral sensation. His journey from running the same streets in Toronto to creating a captivating animation on Strava is a reminder that with patience and perseverance, anything is possible.