The Runner first published in early 2009[2][3] after a successful February 2008 Kwantlen Student Association referendum for "a freely distributed, year-round, multi-campus, student-owned, student-run news and campus culture publication", which approved a $0.75 per credit levy that is refundable to students who may "opt out".
The Runner has covered stories about the Kwantlen Student Association, including the infamous RAF (Reduce All Fees) scandal.
Kwantlen students are the voting members of the society, and they may opt out from it and receive a refund of their fee payment.
Contributors are student writers, photographers and illustrators who have had three of their submissions published within The Runner or other PIPS publications over the course of a calendar year.
The operations manager is not a board member, but attends meetings, and generally serves the society with its institutional memory.