In 2017, Sidney Baptista founded running club PIONEERS Run Crew in Dorchester, where he grew up, to build an inclusive space for runners of color. His goal was to diversify Boston’s running scene and make the sport accessible and equitable for the BIPOC community.
Baptista didn’t stop with weekly runs. The PIONEERS Run Crew team launched the 26.TRUE Marathon, a route through Boston neighborhoods including Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Mattapan, designed to explore the city’s history and normalize running in those communities. He also created “Spin The Block” relay races in cities like Berlin, London, and Los Angeles. The idea: speed, style, and energy.
As momentum grew, so did PYNRS, his running apparel brand. Wholesale accounts with REI, Marathon Sports, and Heartbreak Hill came through. But fulfilling large orders meant fronting production costs before payments arrived. Baptista received an equity offer to manage, but the offer didn’t feel right.
That’s when LEAF stepped in. Christopher Hunter, Director of Advisory Services at LEAF, brought clarity. He helped Baptista make financial decisions with a clear head. “He’s always available,” said Baptista. “Looking back, if I’d taken that equity offer, it would have been a bad decision for me.”
LEAF provided the capital PYNRS needed to manufacture and deliver gear—bridging the gap so the company could grow without giving up ownership. PYNRS continues to partner with LEAF and local business support groups Nectar Invests and Jrue Holiday’s fund to keep learning and building.
Fall 2025, PYNRS launches a new running shoe with Brooks—featuring their own colorway and style—along with a global video tour to highlight the community that powers it all.
Be on the lookout for the PYNRS run by you.