Trail Running Clubs: Black Trail Runners
It is (way more) than just a trail running club. A movement to promote more diversity and inclusivity in our sport
🗺️ Focused on creating a global community of trail and ultra runners, we decided to launch a TRAIL RUNNING CLUBS MAP.
Whether you are in Bombay (India), Edmonton (Canada), London (United Kingdom) or in Cape Town (South Africa), we are sure that you will find an amazing group of fellow trail runners ready to show you their trails.
Believing it is important to give voice and visibility to other parts of the Trail Running ecosystem, over the next few weeks we will present some of these projects in more detail, as well as promote their work.
Now, it is time to “put your shoes on” and let’s all go to the United Kingdom and meet the:
Black Trail Runners (BTR)
Last week we had the opportunity, in an article about the best moments of the UTMB, to celebrate the “victory” achieved by some of the female athletes, in favor of gender equality.
And contrary to what it often seems, this is not a topic much addressed by brands and the media. There is still a huge imbalance in terms of the presence of black athletes in the sport. On major media platforms. Races. In the professional teams.
Fortunately, in 2020, a group of eight people (Sonny Peart, Dora Atim, Marcus Brown, Rachel Dench, Martin Johnson, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, Donna Richards, and Phil Young) decided to create the Black Trail Runners, a project based in the UK.
This project presents itself as a voice that represents black athletes in the sport. However, part of its mission is to promote the inclusion of other ethnicities in the sport of trail running.
✊🏿Project Mission
Since its creation, some good steps have already been taken:
Contacting race organizers to collect information on the participation of black runners in races (in the United Kingdom, participation rate is below 1%);
Started organizing their own activities. Events are planned to help overcome geographic and economic obstacles (many of these events are free, and transport is provided for runners);
Black to the Trails is a really good example. Project’s first trail event (designed, directed and run by BTR), in partnership with Strava - Sunday, May 14th, 2023.
Identified run leaders and athletes who can represent and serve as an lead example for future members.
In a relatively short time, the impact and value that this project has had on the community and on the sport itself is clearly visible.
The plans are ambitious, and clearly we are talking about a cause that deserves everyone's attention. Because, in the end, we all win.
If you wish to know more about the Black Trail Runners or join this trail running club, visit their Website, Instragram or the Facebook Community Group.
Opening the doors as wide as possible to as many as possible is the only way forward :) So grateful for groups like this helping push our sport in the right direction