Atlanta is marking Gunna Day on September 16 with a hometown celebration that goes beyond music.

The annual observance recognizes rapper Gunna and his connection to the Atlanta area, including his music career and community work. This year’s celebration comes just days after the artist brought his Wunna Run Club 5K to Atlanta, drawing about 1,600 runners, joggers and walkers to the Atlanta BeltLine.

A Hometown Celebration With a Purpose

The Wunna Run Club 5K took place September 13 along the BeltLine’s Westside to Southside Trail.

South Fulton Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presented Gunna with a city proclamation during the event, recognizing his contributions to the community.

The timing was significant. South Fulton first proclaimed September 16 as Gunna Day in 2021, citing his music career, community service and efforts involving young people.

The latest celebration gives the annual observance another hometown connection, with residents gathering for an event that combines fitness, music and community support.

About 1,600 People Joined the Wunna Run

The 5K brought together roughly 1,600 participants of different experience levels.

Runners, joggers and walkers took part in the event, with finishers receiving medals. The top three participants also received chains, adding a distinctly Gunna-style touch to the race.

The event was also tied to Gunna’s Great Giveaway, a nonprofit focused on providing resources to families in the Atlanta area. Proceeds from the race support the organization’s community work.

For Gunna, the race offered a chance to meet supporters outside the usual concert setting.

He described Atlanta as home and said bringing people together for the event was a meaningful part of the experience.

Gunna’s Atlanta Roots Run Deep

Gunna, whose legal name is Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, has maintained a strong connection to the Atlanta area throughout his career.

His community efforts have included programs at Ronald E. McNair Middle School, where he previously attended school. In 2021, he opened the Drip Closet and a Goodr Grocery Store at the school, providing students and their families with food, clothing, shoes and other essentials.

Those programs helped establish a community-focused side of Gunna’s public profile beyond his work as a recording artist.

South Fulton officials have continued to point to that local involvement when discussing the annual Gunna Day recognition.

Why Running Became Part of Gunna’s Routine

The Wunna Run is also connected to Gunna’s personal interest in running.

The rapper has said that running became part of his regular routine and that the activity helps him stay grounded. He has described running as therapeutic and said he combines it with other workouts, including boxing and weightlifting.

The Atlanta race gives that personal routine a community dimension.

Instead of keeping fitness as a private activity, Gunna has turned the idea into a public event where fans and local residents can participate together.

Atlanta Gets a Different Kind of Celebrity Homecoming

Celebrity homecomings often center on concerts, album releases or appearances.

Gunna’s latest Atlanta celebration took a different route.

The Wunna Run brought thousands of people together on foot while directing attention toward local families and Gunna’s charitable efforts. The event also gave city officials an opportunity to recognize the rapper’s connection to South Fulton.

That combination makes this year’s Gunna Day more than a music-industry celebration. It connects a well-known Atlanta artist with a community event that residents can take part in themselves.

Gunna Day Returns to Atlanta on September 16

September 16 marks the annual Gunna Day observance in South Fulton.

The designation dates back to 2021, when the city established the day to recognize Gunna’s career and community contributions.

This year’s observance follows one of the biggest local gatherings connected to the rapper in recent years, with the Wunna Run drawing about 1,600 participants.

For Atlanta fans, the celebration offers a chance to recognize a hometown artist while also highlighting the community work that has become part of his connection to the city.