Seattle Storm Guard Natisha Hiedeman Launches RunBudz Running Club
Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman launched a new running club called RunBudz on Tuesday, August 18, drawing nearly 400 people for a 2.8-mile group run around Green Lake Park, according to Secret Seattle and FOX 13 Seattle. The community-forward event combined Hiedeman’s personal marathon training with a public gathering open to walkers and runners of all ability levels.
Origins of RunBudz and the StudBudz Brand
The club’s name directly references StudBudz, a Twitch livestream channel and digital brand that Hiedeman launched in 2025 with former WNBA teammate Courtney Williams, according to Sports Illustrated. That digital platform attracted more than 70,000 followers and half a million views during WNBA All-Star Weekend.
That existing online audience helped drive a large turnout for the park debut on short notice. The StudBudz brand also gained recognition outside of sports streaming; Out.com included Hiedeman and Williams on its 2025 Out100 list for utilizing their media platform to promote LGBTQ+ and marginalized community representation in professional athletics.
Green Lake Debut and Route Details
More than 400 runners and walkers showed up for the initial Green Lake meetup, navigating the paved inner loop of the 256-acre park located roughly six miles north of downtown Seattle, according to Secret Seattle and route data from Great Runs. Participants were invited to move at their own pace without needing prior distance-running experience.
Green Lake has a long history as a center for local running groups and road races. Retailer Super Jock ‘N Jill has hosted weekly Monday night runs at the park for years, cementing the location’s status as a primary hub for Seattle’s neighborhood running culture.
Hiedeman’s Career Background and Upcoming Meetups
Hiedeman signed with the Seattle Storm in April 2026 following a two-season stint with the Minnesota Lynx, where she helped guide the team to the 2024 WNBA Finals and a 2025 semifinals appearance, according to a Seattle Storm team announcement. During her final season in Minnesota, she shot a career-high 49.2 percent from the field.
Before joining the WNBA, Hiedeman was unanimously selected as the 2018-19 BIG EAST Player of the Year at Marquette University, finishing her college career with 1,913 points and an all-time program record of 301 three-pointers, per Marquette University Athletics. In September 2025, she received the Minnesota Lynx’s Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award, an annual honor recognizing community engagement and selflessness.
Following the Green Lake launch, RunBudz scheduled its next session for Thursday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m., with participants meeting at 5902 Lake Washington Boulevard South, according to Secret Seattle.