In late May 2025, ultra‑marathoner Max Polakovich embarked on an extraordinary advocacy run called Split the Mitten, a 400‑mile journey across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula that aims to raise awareness and support for youth experiencing housing instability. The run, organized in partnership with AYA Youth Collective, began May 23 in Michiana and concluded May 30 in Mackinaw City.
Polakovich’s goal is to use the run’s visibility to draw attention to the fact that youth homelessness and housing instability affect communities across Michigan, and the awareness of his run could be used to generate donations to help support the ongoing fight against housing instability in Grand Rapids.
Throughout the eight‑day effort, Polakovich planned to average 50 miles per day on his feet, supported by a small crew that follows along in an RV and other support vehicles. Along the way, he’s encouraged donations to AYA Youth Collective’s work providing housing resources, employment services, counseling, and other support to young people facing unstable living situations.
Watch the film for free:
Our Film Production from the 8-day, 400-Mile Ultramarathon Run
Capturing this extraordinary journey as it unfolded, Grand Rapids Marketing Company produced a feature‑length documentary named Split the Mitten to exponentially increase the reach of the 400-mile ultramarathon feat.
Filming a 24/7 Documentary
This 400‑mile run took place over eight days, beginning on May 23 and continuing through the Memorial Day holiday weekend across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Max Polakovich ran from the Indiana border near Michiana to Mackinaw City at the tip of the mitten, logging roughly 50 miles per day with the support of an on‑route crew
Our filming approach was two‑fold:
-
Capture peak activity with a dedicated film crew and cinema cameras. We documented key moments of the run, including starts and finishes, terrain changes across West and Northern Michigan, and interactions with the support team.
-
Lend compact, mobile cameras to Polakovich’s support crew for spontaneous capture. These lightweight, agile cameras allowed teammates to record candid moments.
This strategy produced dozens of hours of compelling footage capturing activities that a traditional film crew often struggles to record. When our editor least expected it, Polakovich’s support crew had cameras rolling, documenting some of the most intimate and grueling experiences of the run.
Lights, Camera, Profit.
Video is the #1 way to capture attention in 2026. Whether you need short-form social clips or polished brand videos, our team delivers professional content that makes your business shine.
Start Your Video Project
Live Updates on Social Media
In addition to the 72-minute film produced in the months following Polakovich’s run, Grand Rapids Marketing Company also produced social media content in real-time using footage from the documentary crew’s cameras and stories from the same day. We were tasked with at least one deliverable per day of the run, posted by 8am the following morning each day.
Coordinating this content required a blend of on‑site and remote editing workflows, transferring files throughout each run day, and transforming raw footage into polished updates that amplified community engagement online.
Watch one of our social media clips here:
View this post on Instagram
Our Photography from the 400-Mile Run
In addition to filming and completing the 72‑minute Split the Mitten documentary, Grand Rapids Marketing Co.provided extensive photography support throughout the event for its live social media campaign.
Our photographer worked alongside Polakovich’s support crew to deliver high‑impact visuals. These photos were captured in real time and edited for same‑day delivery to social platforms, helping audiences follow the journey as it happened.
A few select photos are below.
View this post on Instagram
The Local Premiere of Split the Mitten
On October 23, 2025, Split the Mitten had its local premiere at the Wealthy Street Theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan— a fitting backdrop for the documentary’s first public screening. The event drew approximately 60 attendees, including community supporters, participants from the run’s support team, and members of the nonprofit and filmmaking communities.
As the lights dimmed and the film unfolded on the big screen, viewers shared a range of powerful reactions, from tears and laughter to moments of collective breath‑holding as they watched the relentless effort and human spirit captured throughout the journey. Max Polakovich’s story, the crew’s dedication, and the intimate moments preserved by the camera resonated deeply with the audience, making it a night to remember for everyone present.
The premiere served as both a celebration of the project’s completion and inspiration for further community engagement around the issues at its core.
Read more about Split the Mitten in the News:
- The Fundraiser for AYA Youth Collective: https://ayayouth.org/split-the-mitten/
- Article from WoodTV8: https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-man-plans-400-mile-run-from-indiana-border-to-tip-of-the-mitten/
- Article from Fox17: https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/split-the-mitten-local-ultramarathoner-to-run-from-michiana-to-mackinaw-city-for-charity
- MLive’s Social Media Campaign:
View this post on Instagram
Ready to Elevate Your Marketing in 2026?
Stop blending in. From video to web to social strategy, we help Grand Rapids businesses stand out with content that actually converts.
Request a Free Consultation
