John Maggard, Art From the Heart
The 2025 Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon & Walk is about more than just running—it’s about saving lives. With 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital not surviving, the American Heart Association is working to change that statistic by training communities in CPR. This year’s event poster celebrates the lifesaving power of CPR and its crucial role in moments like Javion’s, whose life was saved thanks to his coach’s quick action on the basketball court.
For over 40 years, illustrator John Maggard has generously donated his design talents to create the event poster, bringing a fresh perspective every year while remaining true to the event’s mission. We caught up with John to learn more about his creative process for this year’s design:
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process for the event poster?
A: I had a completely different image in mind until Lori told me they were emphasizing CPR and the "Lifesaving" aspect this year. I first thought about the boat-type of lifesaver but gravitated toward a more colorful and recognizable image.
Q: How did you break away from typical runner imagery and create a design that’s fresh yet true to the event’s spirit?
A: Patience... trying to come up with a different yet meaningful angle to the theme each year, and attempting to change up the look and format from previous posters. Intermixing digital with painted pieces offers a different approach to consider each year.
Q: What inspires you to keep each poster unique?
A: The creative freedom has thankfully been there since day one... I feel some responsibility to respect not only the mission of the American Heart Association but also recognizing what appeals to runners, whether they're serious marathoners or more casual enthusiasts!
Q: Your work has always blended unexpected themes with the energy of the marathon. What fuels your creativity year after year?
A: Well, there have been some posters that have been more popular than others - fortunately, I get a lot of feedback from people I see year after year at poster events. There are also a few I wish I could take back....
Q: How do you balance creative freedom with the mission of the American Heart Association?
A: The usage of the posters has definitely changed over the years... used to be that hundreds were posted all over the city, now far fewer are printed, with the intent of having them go to team leaders, sponsors, hospitals, and running-related vendors, so there's a lot less exposure to the general public than in the past, for better or worse!
Q: What’s one key lesson from previous posters that influenced this year’s design?
A: Past experiences have helped me refine my approach to creating art that resonates with both runners and the community.
Q: What do you hope your poster will inspire in the community?
A: Beyond being a collectible, I hope it contributes to the event’s impact and the overall mission of the Heart Association.
