When Ariane Hendrix, 35, ran her first marathon in Bismarck, North Dakota, in 2012, she started off on a similar trajectory as many new recreational runners. She had one goal, which was to complete the race without walking, and ended up finishing in 3:57:51.

From there, she spent much of the next few years chipping away at her times while conquering other milestones like qualifying for the Boston Marathon (on her second marathon in Los Angeles in 2013) and breaking three hours, which she accomplished with a 2:57:00 finish at the 2018 Ventura Marathon in southern California, near her hometown of Oxnard.

In new territory as a sub-elite athlete, Hendrix set her sights on qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon, held in Atlanta on February 29. She aimed to do so at the 2020 Houston Marathon, which took place on the final day to qualify, and while she didn鈥檛 hit the women鈥檚 standard of 2:45, she ran a new personal best of 2:54:25. Shortly thereafter, Hendrix, like many runners, had to put her racing goals on hold as the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. She never lost motivation, however, going on to run a 2:44:33 virtual marathon that April.

鈥淚t was obviously too late to qualify for the Trials, which were in February, but I wanted the boost of confidence and to prove to myself that I could run that time, especially after trying twice to hit the standard and not getting it,鈥� Hendrix says.

Not only did Hendrix manage to stay in it, but she continued to bring down her race times, going on to run a new personal best of 2:42:51 at the 2022 Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, Michigan. By then, however, the Trials standard had been tightened to 2:37 for women for 2024, which only added fuel to her fire.

Hendrix did a shorter speed segment in the summer of 2022 in preparation for the California International Marathon (CIM) in December, spending more time on track work that was 5K- and 10K-focused. She also brought her overall volume down from the 100-mile weeks she had been doing before, which she believes contributed to three stress fractures (one in her tibia and two in her sacrum) in the previous two years.

鈥淭he goal was to try to make my marathon pace feel more comfortable when I would eventually start the CIM block,鈥� Hendrix explains. 鈥淚 think that change and really figuring out that [lower but consistent] weekly mileage in the 80s worked best for me was key.鈥�

Making the List

The adjustment paid off. Hendrix ran her current PR of 2:35:13 at CIM, not only punching her ticket to the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando on February 3, but also becoming the second-fastest American-born Black woman in history.

While Hendrix was somewhat familiar with of Black women who have run under three hours in the marathon (which is maintained by historian Gary Corbitt, son of Olympian and founding NYRR president Ted Corbitt) since she first went sub-three herself, it鈥檚 only been in the last few years that she鈥檚 become invested in what it means in terms of representation.

鈥淚 know in the last two years especially, the List has become more prominent and more people know about it. I’m really honored and proud to be a representative of not just African American women, but also of the LGBTQIA community,鈥� Hendrix says. 鈥淔or a long time, I felt like I was trying to prove to myself and the running community that I belonged, that I was fast enough to be around. I鈥檓 so excited to be someone who people like me can see themselves in and say 鈥楬ey, I can do that, too,鈥� or, 鈥業 belong there, too.鈥欌��

RELATED: New Study Highlights Critical Steps Toward Equity in the Running Industry

Looking ahead to the Orlando Trials, Hendrix, who lives in Portland, Oregon, with her fianc茅e, Veronica, has earned the support of women鈥檚 apparel brand Oiselle. In September she was named to the brand鈥檚 鈥淵ear of the Underbird鈥� sponsorship roster, along with Carrie Verdon, Molly Bookmyer, Elena Hayday, and Briana Boehmer. The program serves to support athletes in their build-up to the Trials by providing a monthly $2,000 health and training stipend and $1,000 stipend for Oiselle apparel and gear, as well as covering their travel and lodging expenses in Orlando. Applying for this sponsorship was a no-brainer for Hendrix (who also works as a test analyst for HOKA) not only because she鈥檇 been a fan of the brand鈥檚 apparel for many years, but because of the conscious efforts she鈥檇 seen .

鈥淨ualifying for the Olympic Trials is the biggest thing that I’ve done in my athletic career, and having a brand like Oiselle supporting me like this is just amazing,鈥� Hendrix says. 鈥淚 check a lot of boxes in that I’m African American and I’m gay, and I鈥檝e seen a lot in terms of community, diversity, and representation from Oiselle, and this is important to me when it comes to who I want to associate myself with and partner with.鈥�

Since running her marathon PR at CIM last year, Hendrix has also brought her half marathon and 5K PRs down to 1:15:50 and 17:20, respectively. She also moved down to number three on the List, which is currently made up of only 31 women, after professional runner debuted at the distance in 2:33:57 at this year鈥檚 Boston Marathon. But Hendrix is not only seeking to improve her PR yet again in Orlando鈥攈opefully breaking the 2:30 barrier in the process鈥攕he鈥檚 hoping to make her way to the top of the List.

鈥淢y family has not seen me race a marathon since I first broke three hours, so I鈥檓 really excited for them, as well as my three young nieces, to see me running in the Olympic Trials,鈥� she says. 鈥淗aving them all there cheering for me as I chase these goals is going to be something really special.鈥�

As far as what鈥檚 next both before and after the Trials, Hendrix, who is currently self-coached, plans to run some shorter-distance races including two half marathons and a 10K as part of her preparation. Beyond the Trials, she hopes to try her hand at ultra distances and eventually run in the elite field at the Boston Marathon.

鈥淏oston is one of my favorite races, so being in the elite field and having my name on my bib would be really special,鈥� she says.

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In an ever-evolving world of athlete support models, and in light of landmark 2021 NCAA legislation allowing college athletes to be compensated for endorsing products, many running brands are getting on board the name, image and likeness (NIL) deal train, which allows them to monetize their own personal brand while endorsing a brand鈥檚 products or services.

Tracksmith has a novel proposition with its newly announced program, which will provide support and development opportunities to college track and field and cross-country athletes who are hoping to transition to the next level of competition after graduating. Members will receive a Tracksmith gear stipend and mentorship from Tracksmith鈥檚 Amateur Support Program athletes throughout the year, and will travel to Europe for training and competition at the end of their 2024 collegiate seasons, a perk they likely wouldn鈥檛 get from their college programs alone, says Nick Willis, Tracksmith鈥檚 global community manager and program director for Varsity Club.

In addition to allowing athletes to obtain gear and earn a small amount of money, these programs also aim to help aspiring professional runners navigate the transition from post-collegiate running, which, for many athletes, doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean a full-fledged sponsorship contract immediately upon graduating. Molly Sughroue, 28, an elite middle-distance runner based in the Denver area, who joined Tracksmith鈥檚 Amateur Support Program in 2022, notes that while she was fortunate to find a group of women who were also unsponsored and trying to find their way, this is something she could have used when she graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2019.

鈥淓ven though I didn鈥檛 end up with a professional contract, I felt like I had unfinished business on the track and I wanted to keep going,鈥� Sughroue says. 鈥淚 was really lucky to have that group of women to help me learn things because I just felt so clueless. Any type of support and guidance, especially right after college, really helps.鈥�

Former professional middle-distance runner Mary Cain, who founded the nonprofit with the goal to provide athletes the opportunity to be financially supported to train and race while building their professional skills and giving back to the next generation, shared that sentiment.

鈥淯nlike in college, where most programs put athletics first and make it easy for athletes to prioritize their training, it can be harder to find balance with [another different] career and this adjustment can be tough for a lot of people,鈥� Cain, who also previously worked as a community manager for Tracksmith, says. 鈥淥ur sport often romanticizes training 鈥榝ull-time,鈥� and people are used to seeing how post-collegiate running is done from that lens versus having role models who’ve learned how to balance both their careers and sport.鈥�

鈥淲ith the enjoyment and success that we鈥檝e had with the amateur support program and how it鈥檚 helped athletes with post-collegiate running, we realized 鈥榳hat better way to help prepare them before they get to that point?鈥欌�� Willis, who is a former professional athlete and five-time Olympian for New Zealand, says. 鈥淣ow that we have a legal ability to support collegiate athletes, it was an opportunity to get ahead of the game so we can support and equip them, and provide them with experiences and resources so that when they finish with their college eligibility, they鈥檙e already pre-equipped to handle the challenging space they鈥檙e entering after college.鈥�

What is an NIL Program?

NIL programs allow college athletes to use their name and promote themselves through products and services to earn money. In this instance, they will be able to do so by wearing Tracksmith gear in their everyday lives as college students and athletes, as well as in their own social media posts and platforms, in addition to Tracksmith鈥檚 social media and other content.

Since 2021, NIL programs have allowed college athletes to partner with brands for sponsorships and other marketing opportunities. NIL programs have also traditionally served as legal protections that allow collegiate athletes to pursue partnerships with brands and other professional domains.

Through the Varsity Club program, which will be made up of 10 selected athletes, Tracksmith will give student-athletes the resources they need to compete at the highest level and the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and learn what it takes to be the best on and off the track. Program benefits include:

• The opportunity to travel Europe for a week-long trip including competition, training, and spectating opportunities. Travel, lodging and meals are included.
• Gear stipends for Tracksmith apparel, footwear and accessories, as well as access to the latest Tracksmith product introductions and consideration for wear-testing programs.
• An assigned mentor from Tracksmith鈥檚 Amateur Support Program, as well as access to bi-monthly seminars and Q&A sessions with elite athletes, agents, coaches, and media personnel to help with preparation for post-collegiate athletics.

鈥淲e want to connect these athletes with all of the important players in the post-collegiate world when it comes to navigating the space on their own,鈥� Willis says. 鈥淗aving been a professional athlete for 15 years, hopefully there are also small elements of my career that I鈥檓 able to lean on that they can relate to and ask questions to me as the program director as well.鈥�

鈥淲illis has been a big help, as I don鈥檛 have an agent, in getting into races and meets if can, or about other races that should be on our radar,鈥� Sughroue adds. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have anything like that after college. I didn鈥檛 know how any of that worked at all, so having any sort of mentorship would have been a huge help for me.鈥�

鈥淕etting the chance to learn from athletes who balance their training and careers could be really beneficial to young people who plan to balance their running and work,鈥� Cain adds. 鈥淗ere in New York, there are so many post-collegiate clubs where athletes can learn directly from other athletes how they balance sport and work, but it’s new to have something where a brand directly supports that mentorship.鈥�

Of course, in today鈥檚 ever-evolving world of social media, young athletes in particular need to keep their own well-being in check when it comes to what they鈥檙e agreeing to do as part of these sponsorship deals. Cain noted that while it鈥檚 important for athletes to be celebrated and valued for more than just their performances on the track, it鈥檚 also key to make sure they receive legal guidance before signing any type of contract.

鈥淭he NIL system is still so new and it’s really important for athletes to work with true professionals who are only working in their best interests,鈥� Cain says. 鈥淚 believe finding new ways to bring money into the sport is huge, since sponsorship money has been dropping over the years as using social media influencers (both paid and unpaid) have become a bigger strategy for running brands.鈥�

Program Requirements

Through the Varsity Club, Tracksmith aims to support athletes as they navigate the transition from collegiate to post-collegiate competition. At the same time, the brand will also ask that selected athletes abide by the following guidelines:

• Wearing Tracksmith performance and lifestyle products when appropriate (such as at practice and around campus) and at any non-NCAA competitions
• Working with Tracksmith鈥檚 marketing team to craft authentic and engaging social media posts and other content that feature Tracksmith products to elevate the brand鈥檚 storytelling and leadership in running culture
• Actively participating in events throughout the year to help maintain community and social interaction with their fellow Varsity Club athletes

鈥淲e want these athletes to connect together, so these programs will be the drawing point that will bring them together, though hopefully there will be some communication among the athletes throughout the process so that when we make the trip to Europe together, everyone will relationships that have grown so they feel a strong bond and connection as we head over there as a team,鈥� Willis says. 鈥淟ong-term, the real benefits will be from the experience and the knowledge they鈥檒l gain from this program and hopefully they鈥檒l feel more prepared for life after college afterward.鈥�

Who Should Apply?

The Tracksmith Varsity Club program is open to current track and field and cross country athletes competing at the national level across all NCAA divisions. Athletes who best demonstrate how the specific offerings of the Varsity Club will further their competitive goals during and after college will be selected. While only American athletes are eligible, Tracksmith encourages athletes of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to continue to boost representation within the sport. Prospective student-athletes can be at any point in their collegiate career and will have to reapply each year that they wish to continue with the program. Athletes wishing to compete in next year鈥檚 Olympic Track and Field Trials will have an impact in selection as well, Willis says.

鈥淏eing a team player is just as important as performance,鈥� Willis says. 鈥淚n my experience with the Amateur Support Program, those who foster and cultivate an experience with the team together and as a unit make it helpful to have personality types who will get off the couch and walk across the room and introduce themselves and help bring the group together. So if people are able to show that they have their own skillset as well, that鈥檚 also an attribute we鈥檙e looking for.鈥�

, student-athletes should submit a short video lasting 2 minutes or less sharing why they love competing, their goals for the year, and how the Varsity Club will facilitate their growth as an athlete and future leader of the sport. Applicants are encouraged to be authentic and creative. Video submissions are due Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions about the program or the application process can be sent to community@tracksmith.com.

鈥淵ou feel like you have to have a sponsorship or a contract to keep running post-collegiately, but that isn鈥檛 always the case,鈥� Sughroue says. 鈥淗aving a support system is the biggest thing, as well as just giving yourself the time to adjust to a new phase of life.

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For running influencer Alexandria Williams, becoming an Abbott Six-Star finisher was the culmination of a two-decade-plus running journey.

, she shares the ups and downs of achieving this accomplishment and how representation has been central to it all.

In 2016, Abbott introduced the Six-Star Medal as an award for runners who completed all six of the World Marathon Majors, which include the Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, and Tokyo Marathons.

Williams, 39, first started running in 2001, but didn鈥檛 get bitten by the marathon bug until running the 2014 Dallas Marathon in her hometown. Now based in Baltimore, Maryland, Williams didn鈥檛 set her sights on the World Marathon Majors challenge until running her first of the races with the 2017 New York City Marathon. She followed New York up with Chicago in 2019, and then put her plans on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on nearly all large races for much of 2020 and 2021.

In 2022, Williams finally picked back up and checked the Berlin Marathon off her list, following it up with London a week later due to its postponement from its typical spring race date in April.

鈥淟ondon has been my favorite of the Majors because I was not expecting to have such a great day after not feeling my best in Berlin,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t ended up being my second-fastest marathon and totally restored my heart and purpose for running.鈥�

A Challenging Road to Six Stars

For Williams, running the international World Marathon Majors also served as the first time she traveled overseas, which she viewed as a unique opportunity to see the world. After checking off Tokyo in March of this year, followed by Boston in April, she officially became a Six-Star finisher.

But the road to getting her Six-Star medal wasn鈥檛 without its challenges, with the biggest one being meeting finish time limits as a self-described six-hour marathoner. In her first attempt at Boston in 2018, which was recognized widely as the severe weather year, Williams dropped out at the 10K mark with hypothermia. In 2022, she finished the race but missed the cutoff to finish in under six hours, making for a bittersweet moment of pride.

Boston 2023 was actually the first time Williams started the race and “officially” finished. Becoming a Boston Marathon finisher on her third try also reaffirmed that her purpose in running isn鈥檛 just related to collecting the medals, but rather boosting representation of runners who don鈥檛 fit the mold of the majority of athletes you see at large races and completing challenges like the World Marathon Majors.

RELATED: New Study Highlights Critical Steps Toward Equity in the Running Industry

鈥淰ery few times have there been people who are plus-sized or Black and Brown,鈥� Williams says in the documentary. 鈥淚鈥檓 a back-of-the-packer, but I make sure I put in the work no matter what, and I鈥檓 crossing that finish line. If you ever look at the end of a race, you鈥檒l see all kinds of people finishing. The truth is, to be a runner, as long as you鈥檙e putting one foot in front of yourself, you鈥檙e a runner.鈥�

Available Now on 国产吃瓜黑料 Watch

As a running influencer who works with a variety of brands, including Adidas, Garmin Fitness, and Pacers Running in Baltimore, Williams describes her niche as being all about diversity and inclusivity within the running community, emphasizing that minority groups shouldn鈥檛 be left behind and ignored. She also serves as a director on the board for the , whose mission is to celebrate Black Boston Marathon runners and connect them with each other.

鈥淏lack women are definitely鈥rendsetters,鈥� she says in the documentary. 鈥淚鈥檝e heard from other six-hour marathoners who say they don鈥檛 think they could even try to do one star, but they now saw a piece of themselves or whatever they were afraid of and they now are changing their mind. That’s the part that I’m glad I’m vulnerable and honest about because it means I鈥檝e been able to help other people literally reach for the stars, pun intended.鈥�

For Williams, completing the Six Stars will serve as a form of semi-retirement from the marathon distance, as she continues to work through health challenges from having long COVID, as being on medication and using an asthma pump have made it extra-challenging to run.

鈥淓nding this 10-year journey allows for me to now set the stage for a new foundation and a new Alex and who I鈥檓 going to become,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to all of my friends and family who have always been supportive of this journey and my goals.鈥�

View on 国产吃瓜黑料 Watch.

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Earlier this summer, the (RIDC) launched its #FreedomToRun campaign for Juneteenth, June 19, by releasing a series of on racial representation in industry employment and running participation. These studies were produced in partnership with Bentley University, providing in-depth analyses and first-of-its-kind research to establish a baseline measure for progress toward racial justice.

The three studies were titled 鈥淭he Future of Running: Connecting with the Next Generation of Racially Diverse Runners,鈥� 鈥淩acial Diversity and the Business of Running: Mapping a Path to Equitable Employment, Leadership, and Ownership,鈥� and 鈥淩acial Diversity in Trail Running: Understanding the Underrepresented Experience.鈥� The studies were funded by Altra, Brooks, New Balance, On, Patagonia, Salomon, Saucony, Smartwool, and Strava.

While RIDC previewed these findings earlier this year with industry partners in race management, events, retail, and brands, according to RIDC executive director Kiera Smalls, it has also made a concerted effort to share with key brands and organizations not partnered with the coalition, in an effort to get them to assess their internal policies and practices.

What Is the RIDC?

RIDC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was established in October 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, which sparked a social justice reckoning across nearly every industry, including the running space. The organization was founded by a small group of running industry leaders that came together to form the RIDC, including co-chairs Chris Lampen-Crowell and Alison Mariella D茅sir, with the goal of increasing employment opportunities and running participation among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the U.S. by establishing transparency and measuring accountability among organizations.

That鈥檚 where this research came in, says Erin Flynn, a professor of marketing at Bentley University and a lead researcher on the studies who has also been involved with RIDC since its inception. In 2020, Flynn asked Lampen-Crowell if his team had data on where the industry currently stood, knowing she鈥檇 be surprised if anyone had actually ever studied this. When he said they did not, she volunteered to help with the research, which would be critical for pursuing the organization’s mission.

鈥淲ithout that, you’re holding subjective conversations,鈥� Flynn says. 鈥淧eople are well-intentioned. They might think they’re making progress and talking about it more, but without the data, we can’t really know if we’re actually making true change.鈥�

According to data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), approximately 34 percent of runners (16 million people) in the U.S. are people of color, which highlights why it鈥檚 imperative for key players in the industry to address issues related to systemic racism and a lack of inclusivity, especially as the U.S. population is growing increasingly more racially diverse, with people of color projected to be the majority by 2045.

Large running events in particular, including all three U.S.-based World Marathon Majors, are still lagging when it comes to tracking racial demographic information among its participants, which has undoubtedly contributed to setbacks in progress, Smalls says.

鈥淕ender data has become standard practice, and it is necessary to recognize that race and ethnicity are essential for diversity, equity, and inclusion progress, too,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e need event organizers to better understand the makeup of their participant base and identify existing disparities and underrepresentation. By persistently advocating for collecting and utilizing this information, we can build greater awareness, accountability, and progress toward achieving more inclusive and equitable race events.鈥�

It鈥檚 especially noteworthy that this research was released now, as more businesses and individuals alike have grown hesitant to discuss issues related to DEI after the anti-racism conversations surrounding the 2020 movements inevitably died down.

鈥淚t is important to acknowledge that the conversation surrounding racism in the running industry has faced some setbacks as time has progressed since 2020,鈥� Smalls says. 鈥淢any companies have become more hesitant to publicly address these issues, contributing to a lack of progress in addressing the systemic challenges faced by runners of color.鈥�

Diversity in Industry Leadership Remains Low

In terms of diversity in running industry employment, the studies showed that 11 percent of employees are Black/African American, with only 1 percent holding senior management leadership positions. With regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, only 15 percent are led by Black/African American senior executives, while 80 percent of senior executives leading them are white.

鈥淭he short answer for why [top leadership remains heavily white] is systemic racism. When we talk about representation within organizations, this is one of the key areas that need to change,鈥� Flynn explains. 鈥淭he desire for expedience in hiring and the prioritization of cultural fit are very common mindsets in the hiring process within the industry. When we’re in a predominantly white industry where hiring managers are predominantly white, if we’re sourcing candidates through personal and professional networks, we’re almost guaranteeing that jobs are going to go to white candidates, which is a main reason why we’re seeing disparate percentages of racial representation.鈥�

Additionally, the studies showed that 70 percent of running organizations have DEI goals, though 59 percent currently don鈥檛 track progress.

鈥淎chieving racial justice is a societal imperative, and running鈥攁s an industry and sport鈥攎ust be part of that transformation,鈥� Smalls said. 鈥淔rom the lack of racial diversity within running organizations to the cost and safety concerns of Black runners in particular, there are clear barriers to participation and inclusion that continue to be unaddressed that serve as a starting point from where we are to where we need to be.鈥�

Runners of Color: Unmet and Unsafe

Another key study finding was that, qualitatively, runners of color don鈥檛 feel valued as consumers or athletes, due to things like unmet product needs.

鈥淚n our trail and road running study, numerous examples shed light on the challenges runners of color face, both as consumers and athletes, with one prominent issue being the lack of inclusive product offerings that meet the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds,鈥� Smalls says. 鈥淔or instance, there were concerns regarding the limited availability of apparel that accommodates various body sizes and hairstyles, making it difficult for runners of color to find suitable and comfortable gear.鈥�

Flynn also cited an example from D茅sir, who, during her time as director of sports advocacy for Oiselle, helped the brand release an update of a trucker hat that was now satin-lined so that it would work well for Black women鈥檚 hair.

RELATED: This Retreat Is Helping Support Women of Color in the Running Industry

鈥淸D茅sir] was quoted in the release saying that any Black woman could have told a product team that this was a need; she just happened to be the Black woman who identified it,鈥� Flynn says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great example of a simple unmet need that could have been identified if there were a racially diverse product team in place.鈥�

The research also highlighted the barrier of unaddressed, yet pressing, safety concerns, with participants citing hateful language, running alone, and getting lost as common fears.

RIDC Report: Industry Recommendations

Finally, the reports also included recommendations and questions for running organizations to assess their commitment to racial justice and DEI, including outlining action plans to achieve their goals, tracking progress and measurements of success, and defining what personal accountability looks like, as well as what factors contribute to cycles of oppression.

鈥淏y focusing on racial diversity, we can catapult the industry to the next level,鈥� Flynn says. 鈥淭here are so many published reports that show that diversity is good for business, that diverse work teams perform better, and that they’re significantly more innovative. The companies that embrace racial diversity are the ones that are going to shape the future of our industry. They are going to be the ones that win in the long-term.鈥�

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It鈥檚 not uncommon for running brands to look into new ways of changing the game in who they choose to support. Saucony is no exception, having announced its first-ever name, image, likeness (NIL) program last month, which coincidentally was National Nurses Month. This new program is exclusively for nursing students, in partnership with , one of the largest nursing education programs in the U.S.

What Is NIL?

In simple terms, name, image, and likeness (NIL) programs permit college athletes to use their name and promote themselves through products and services to earn money.

Since 2021, NIL programs have traditionally allowed college athletes to partner with companies for sponsorships and other marketing opportunities. The goal of this particular NIL program is to raise awareness of the vital role that nurses play in healthcare, as well as inspire and prepare the next generation of nursing professionals.

With regard to collegiate athletes, NIL programs have traditionally served as legal protections that allow them to pursue partnerships with brands and other professional domains. This legislation is not tied to the NCAA; in fact, it鈥檚 the first of its kind to be tied to an outside industry such as nursing. Brands have begun to take notice of this development and started to offer similar programs to other professionals, like nursing.

Through this program, Saucony has awarded NIL sponsorships to four of the college鈥檚 high-performing students: Brianna Nelly, Lauren Lowe, Ashley Lutes, and Sarah Sangha.

RELATED: Ten Things You Didn鈥檛 Know About Saucony Running Shoes

According to Anna Kitson, vice president of marketing and communications at Galen College of Nursing, the college worked with its advertising agency to bridge its connection to Saucony, as well as draw the link between how hard nurses work, mentally and physically, and how hard nursing students are working on their way to being able to care for the lives of others. The students, which came from both Galen College鈥檚 associate degree nursing program, as well as its three-year bachelor of science nursing program, were selected based on academic performance.

鈥淥ur agency partners hear us talk all the time about how critical it is right now to expand access to nursing education鈥攖o elevate and celebrate nursing as a profession in a time where new nurses are vital to the future of healthcare,鈥� Kitson said. 鈥淭o make the connection from top-performing college students being celebrated and rewarded for their hard work and dedication, to nursing students鈥攚hile expanding beyond the traditional college athlete鈥攚as amazing.鈥�

鈥淣ursing school can be defeating and extremely stressful, and sometimes as students we don’t feel like our hard work is noticed,鈥� Nelly added. 鈥淚 am so grateful to have been selected for this program, which goes to show that we are noticed.鈥�

The selected nursing students will serve as Saucony ambassadors, showcasing their commitment and performance wearing Saucony gear, including the new Saucony Triumph 20 and Saucony Endorphin Shift 3, on the job. Since these shoes are designed to be worn all day, they鈥檙e ideal for on-duty nurses who work long shifts.

Whitney Parks, Saucony鈥檚 senior marketing director, said that the student nurses will be featured on both Saucony and Galen鈥檚 social platforms through imagery that emulates athlete portraiture in advertising, in an effort to demonstrate their heroism and performance to inspire others to pursue a career in nursing, a field that was heavily impacted by the pandemic.

鈥淎n already existing nursing shortage was exacerbated by the pandemic, and we are proud to partner with Saucony to draw attention to the importance of nurses in healthcare around the globe,鈥� Kitson said. 鈥淚t takes nurses for healthcare systems to work.鈥�

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鈥淲hen we found out that nurses walk over 26 miles each week while on the job, we felt it was time we did the same for top performing nursing students as we do for top performing college athletes, in giving them an NIL deal,鈥� Parks said. 鈥淣IL deals typically recognize the performance of elite student athletes, so with this selection process in mind we are championing the next generation of elite student nurses.鈥�

鈥淪ince my Saucony endorsement, I have reprioritized self care by working out regularly,鈥� Sangha, one of the student nurse NIL recipients, said. 鈥淏y taking care of my body, I am able to better take care of my patients and reduce my chances of getting injured on the job.鈥�

Kitson emphasized the need to not only recognize individual nurses with programs like this, but also showcase to the greater community the vital role they play. While no other athletic brands have announced similar programs, it鈥檚 a possibility that it will get them thinking about what鈥檚 next, and if it鈥檚 a brand model of the future.

鈥淲e have a strong sense of responsibility on so many levels鈥攖o our hard-working students, our healthcare partners where they will go to practice, and to our communities at large,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need recognition like this to amplify the importance of new nurses coming into the workforce, as well as to help nurses and those on their way to becoming nurses see how much they are respected for their enduring hard work and commitment.鈥�

The post Why Saucony Is Sponsoring Healthcare Workers appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Anyone who has regularly consumed running media over the last couple of years is undoubtedly familiar with the work of activist, advocate, and self-avowed 鈥渄isruptor鈥� . In addition to founding New York City club and the movement supporting women鈥檚 reproductive rights, and serving as co-chair of the , D茅sir has published her highly anticipated memoir, , which will be released Oct. 18. D茅sir sat down with Women鈥檚 Running to discuss the inspiration behind the book, how her personal running story is intertwined in it, and her hopes for the future of the sport with regard to inclusivity among people of all marginalized groups and genders.

Women鈥檚 Running: Congratulations on the release of Running While Black. I feel like I鈥檝e known you and followed your story for such a long time, yet still learned so much about you as I read through it. Can you share how the book came to be?聽

Alison Mariella D茅sir: I鈥檝e always wanted to write a book and had made many previous attempts at writing manuscripts over the years. Many of them are very difficult for me to even look at now because they were focused on mental health and the period of depression I experienced, which I also discuss in this book. I was attempting to write all those manuscripts while I thought I was better, but I still was very much in a dark place. Once you start feeling better and start taking care of yourself, you can鈥檛 even believe that that was once who you were.聽

This particular book came about in 2020, after I had an op-ed published by 国产吃瓜黑料 titled 鈥�Ahmaud Arbery and Whiteness in the Running World.鈥� What was really unique and what made this book so important to me was having a Black son (Kouri, who was nearly 10 months old when I learned about Arbery鈥檚 murder) and then living through the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn鈥檛 that police murders of Black men had necessarily increased, but we were in this moment where there was a lot less chatter happening and these murders and vigilante killings were more visible. Thinking about that and thinking about how my son will one day be a Black man compelled me to write this. I had to share that moving through space as a Black body is different from moving through space as a white body and that historically and presently, we have never had access to freedom of movement. I just had to tell that story because it also creates a possibility for change and a new world where my son could be free to run, and free to show up as his full self.

You share so much of your personal story in this book, which resonated with me as a peer to you both in age and as a fellow runner and a woman of color working in this industry. But obviously, this book isn鈥檛 just important for people like you and me to consume. Who would you say this book is for, and who do you hope to see choosing to read it?

There are two audiences for this book and they鈥檙e both big. I, for sure, hope that Black people and other people of color read this and say, 鈥淔inally, my experience is represented in a book.鈥� The complete experience is the joy, but also the pain, the fear, and the 鈥渙therness.鈥澛�

But then what鈥檚 also important is white folks reading this book and recognizing that a world exists beyond their own, which is difficult in a world that鈥檚 rooted in white supremacy and that intentionally centers white people in every situation. It is by design that white people are unaware that Black people and people of color move through the world differently, despite the fact that it has been white people and white supremacy who created the laws and environment and maintained that. So I hope that for white people, it humanizes our experiences without shaming them, and while still offering them ways to take action to do better.

When you first announced that you were writing this book, it had the working title The Unbearable Whiteness of Running. I never thought about it until I took note of the change, but to me, Running While Black is 100% the perfect name for this book because it immediately speaks to and centers your experience, which is one that will resonate with a lot of runners from marginalized groups. How did you settle on the final title?聽

With the original title, the book was more sort of a manifesto and in the category of anti-racist books, which are more instructional and intended solely for a white audience. It was my editor, who is a white woman, who said 鈥淲hat鈥檚 missing here is you.鈥� That made me realize that what鈥檚 always been powerful for me in books is when you can go on a journey with the author when you can understand their worldview and what made them who they are, and then you get on board with their struggles and their way of seeing the world. However, that required me to be a lot more vulnerable than I had ever intended to be, and that鈥檚 where you get these stories from my childhood that build an understanding of who I am.

It almost feels like an honor to be able to have the title Running While Black because that is an experience that Black people and people of color (and white people, too) understand in some way. The name is provocative, and so it鈥檒l get people interested in the book. The harder part was actually coming up with the subtitle, 鈥淔inding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn鈥檛 Built For Us,鈥� because we wanted to make it clear and make sure that people understand using the word 鈥渦s鈥� also lets you know that this is Black-centered, that the 鈥渦s鈥� is me and my people. The whole title allowed me to reconcile the fact that running has brought me so much freedom and joy, but it was never intended with somebody like me in mind.聽

I鈥檝e heard you comment about how one of the biggest challenges you expect in getting white people to read this book or even having these conversations in general, will be getting them to see that this isn鈥檛 about hating white people; it鈥檚 about hating white supremacy. Were you worried the original title might immediately make people defensive and opt not to pick up and read the book?

I think that because white people don鈥檛 learn this concept of white supremacy or whiteness, they鈥檙e not forced to think critically about their identity because they鈥檙e seen as a default. Therefore, something like that simple title is seen as an attack. While I wanted my title to be provocative and confrontational, I didn鈥檛 want people to bristle so much and feel so hateful for the title alone without getting into the meat of what I鈥檓 actually talking about. What I hope I do well through the book is take people on that journey of me asking the questions, 鈥淒o I hate white people? Or do I hate white supremacy? What does that mean, and what are the ways white supremacy and this concept of whiteness actually harm white people too?鈥� I hope this will be a lightbulb moment for folks recognizing that we are all harmed in this system, obviously to different degrees, but it is in our own best interest for all of us to want to rethink how this society, and then on a more narrow level, how our running industry and community function.

I loved reading about how you started Harlem Run. You talked about how in the beginning, you stood alone on a New York City street corner for weeks before people finally started showing up. Most people would easily give up too soon because they would feel like their big idea was a failure. It鈥檚 easy to picture you as the resilient Alison I know now and assume that you were just that determined to make it happen. But I did read the book and I also know that you鈥檙e human and that did leave you feeling somewhat defeated. So what was it that motivated you to keep showing up?

I think it was just that finding long-distance running had been such a pivotal piece of my life. As you said, I think people see me now and it鈥檚 consistent with my life that I am bold and disruptive. But I was also coming from a place where I would stay in my house for weeks, with no reason to even leave the couch. Yes, I had just run this marathon and started to feel good about myself and had gone to counseling, but I was not this person who was taking all of these risks and feeling like certainly it鈥檒l happen. But the fact that running had done so much for me, I just felt like it was my calling. I鈥檓 not a religious person, but perhaps someone who is would say that it was fate or some kind of divine message and I really just felt like I had to do this.聽

A part of my own mental health was also hinging on building this community because I had loved the running experience, but I hadn鈥檛 seen a lot of people like me. So I thought, if only I can create this space, then I can have the best of both worlds. I can have the thing that is keeping me alive, happy, and functional with people who look like me. So there was a lot at stake.聽

Seeing how Harlem Run started from you just wanting people like you to run with, to showing Black people the physical and emotional benefits of running, and eventually, being centered as a vehicle for inclusion and social change, how does it feel to see how much it鈥檚 grown and how much of an impact it鈥檚 had on the running community, now on a national level, over the years?

Yeah, talk about the unexpected, right? Harlem Run has very much followed my own personal growth in terms of recognizing, 鈥淥kay, first, I want to do this to bring other people into the sport like me.鈥� Then recognizing, 鈥淥h, the impact of seeing Black people running through a neighborhood of mostly Black people and how our community was not just our run community of people who show up, our community was this larger community of Harlem.鈥� And then recognizing that the media were interested in this story because I am a Black woman leading this group that centers Black and Brown people, recognizing, 鈥淥h, we are actually tapping into this narrative of who moves and who leads movements.鈥澛�

As my own development happened, Harlem Run sort of came with me. I think another critical piece of this is recognizing that there was this industry and that these messages weren鈥檛 just falling from the sky; that there is an industry that perpetuates and fuels these messages, whether it鈥檚 magazines, podcasts, retailers or brands saying, 鈥淥h, there are people who are creating this, and sometimes we fit into the narrative that they want and sometimes we don鈥檛.鈥� But what if we were able to actually take control and be part of creating a new narrative? There鈥檚 so much I didn鈥檛 know was possible and I鈥檓 really proud of it. I love seeing the ways that other groups borrow from what we鈥檙e doing and find us to be an inspiration or a source of hope for their own communities.

In the book, you also talk about some of the challenges you faced in the beginning of getting Harlem Run off the ground, such as when male leaders and other run groups expected you to run your event plans by them before finalizing anything and making any decisions. Would you say experiences like that prepared you for some of the challenges you鈥檝e faced as a woman of color leading the charge on inclusivity in the running industry?

Absolutely. I wish I could say that a lot has changed, but the New York City running community remains a very male-dominated space. You鈥檇 like to think that other Black and Brown men will be in support of Black women, but we know that patriarchy is also a strong force. That鈥檚 why in this book, I try to be sure that I鈥檓 talking through an intersectional lens. What I found was that, as a Black woman, I was coming up against patriarchy and these men were looking out for each other and their own interests, and they were fine having a Black woman or another woman of color being second in command, or the one who鈥檚 doing the logistical support. And this idea of the frontrunner, the front-show person being a Black or Brown man was really hard for me.

So that鈥檚 what I just started focusing on, on creating my own space. I realized collaboration is what I would鈥檝e loved and I would鈥檝e loved the support of these folks, but I鈥檓 just going to build something that authentically feels good to me. But this is, once again, where everything about our existence is political. The running community, of course, has the influence of white supremacy, of patriarchy. I was coming up against those same issues that I would when I go into rooms, and I鈥檓 also one of the only Black people and the only Black woman in a room in this male-dominated space, recognizing that I鈥檝e been here before. This has always been my existence; it鈥檚 just a matter of context.

As someone who spent more than a decade working to qualify for Boston and who has actually never experienced the event in person, much of the chapter about your experience running the 2017 race was eye-opening and admittedly a little hard for me to read.

But at the same time, even before reading your book, I grappled with similar feelings when I was struggling with , and had moments when I had to ask myself 鈥淲hy exactly is this goal so important to me?鈥� I鈥檝e realized in recent years that a lot of it did come from being a minority in these spaces and how the majority of runners who pursue a Boston qualifier and eventually make it to Boston don鈥檛 look like me.聽

Having people express overt skepticism when I鈥檇 share this goal fed into all kinds of feelings of imposter syndrome as I pursued it, which is what motivated me to share my training and goal 鈥� I don鈥檛 want to just send the message that we as runners of color deserve to be here on the starting line. I wanted to show everyone, white people and BIPOC runners alike, that we鈥檙e capable and deserving of pursuing and achieving these lofty goals, too. How have your feelings and relationship with events like the Boston Marathon shifted over the years?

I appreciate you sharing that. Whether it鈥檚 the Boston Marathon or the Abbott World Majors, I鈥檓 always sitting here just thinking critically, 鈥淲ell, what is this goal about and what is the reason you鈥檙e pursuing it? What does this actually mean to you?鈥� I鈥檝e run some of them myself, and, yes, they鈥檙e amazing marathons. But the Abbott World Marathon Majors challenge was created, at least from my understanding, in order to create incentives around bringing people to these races and creating this hype, that completing the six of them was this monumental achievement.

Now, in my opinion, there are so many amazing races and marathons across the country that you could complete six of them and also feel that sense of accomplishment, right? So what is it about the World Marathon Majors? What is it about the Boston Marathon that you鈥檙e actually invested in and excited about? And when you start to think about that, if it鈥檚 just this idea that those particular six events mean something more than any other events, well, why? What is it that you鈥檙e chasing? And if the pinnacle of this sport that鈥檚 supposed to be for all people, is to get into this race that is extremely exclusive, whether you qualify or whether you fundraise sometimes $10,000, then there鈥檚 a real mismatch here in terms of what we鈥檙e saying running is about and what the pinnacle running experience is supposed to be or mean. And as you shared, there are obviously important reasons why people would see Boston or the Majors as meaningful for them. But I hope through what I say here in the book, whether you agree with me or not, you start to question why something is of value to you. And if the value comes from other people just saying, 鈥淗ey, this is valuable,鈥� then maybe you should rethink it.

After that first, not-great experience running Boston, you returned last spring for the 2022 race, this time collaborating with , which is known to be Boston鈥檚 first Black- and Brown-led running club, in holding pre-race events and spectating the race. What was the experience this year like in comparison? Was it somewhat of a full-circle moment to be there in such a different capacity?

Yes; I think what I was able to experience this year was what the Boston Marathon could be like, if Black and Brown people were centered and given space to be ourselves. So I credit that to PIONEERS Run Crew and the , who have really taken back this idea that Boston is only for a certain type of people and brought in just joy and our culture and our spirit. Part of that is , which is an unsanctioned marathon that takes place the day before the Boston Marathon and takes you through towns in Boston, such as Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, that are mostly Black, mostly immigrant communities. This challenges the idea that the Boston Marathon is actually a Boston Marathon, since it starts in the small town of Hopkinton and goes through mostly white suburbs before finishing in Boston itself. And believe it or not, I later found out that the police were called because our cheer station at 26.True was too loud and disruptive. Isn鈥檛 it literally the point of a cheer station to be loud and disruptive? But this man in this small, white town felt the need to protect his 鈥渟pace.鈥� This just emphasized the juxtaposition of the 26.True, like, 鈥淥K, that鈥檚 your version of the Boston Marathon. Well, we will show you the real Boston Marathon the day before.鈥� This isn鈥檛 just something that is happening in Boston; it鈥檚 happening all over the country. My message in that really, is it鈥檚 important and we, as Black people, are creating our own stuff. And we will continue to do that whether you get on board or not.

Will you be back in Boston for part of your book tour this spring?

It鈥檚 not on the schedule right now; I have not been invited in any particular way. I would love to be there because Kara Goucher, Des Linden, and Lauren Fleshman also have books coming out before the race, and I think this is the most books being published by women in running ever. So, if I could put that into the universe, I would love to see all of us on a panel together, talking about our books, all of which are critical of the industry.

You recently about meeting a woman during one of your book tour stops who shared that she never knew our national parks were once segregated. Did you expect to hear comments like that and was that why you chose to include the timeline of key moments in both American Black history and running history even though this book is largely a memoir of your own experiences?

Yes, absolutely. This woman also had no knowledge that there was a point where Black people could not go to public pools, that they shut down rather than let Black people swim there. That wasn鈥檛 her history; that was her upbringing and her experience. But these were contemporary laws, and for many white folks, it is that intentional erasure and miseducation that leads people to just live in isolation of anybody else鈥檚 experience.

The people in power are the ones who create the narrative, the histories and the stories that we learn and it鈥檚 by design that white people don鈥檛 know their own history. Slavery is as much, if not more white history than it is Black history because white people designed and perpetuated the system. So contextualizing what this world actually looked like during this period of running and what our experience as Black people was, was essential to help white people and all people really understand. I鈥檓 not just saying I felt this way; I鈥檓 actually showing the conditions that create the environment such that I would feel a lack of belonging, when that鈥檚 not what I want to feel. This is the society and industry and community that I inherited.

And in the book you also talk about the initial meetings with the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, before it was officially launched with you as co-chair, and how those meetings were particularly tense, to put it mildly. But you鈥檝e also talked about how you do your best to avoid goading white people into guilt and shame when it comes to carrying out RIDC鈥檚 mission, while also emphasizing that it鈥檚 important for white people to acknowledge the role they鈥檝e played in marginalizing minority groups. What would you say are some other key components in keeping these conversations going and getting brands and industry leaders to take real action toward inclusivity and racial justice?

Something that I鈥檝e become accustomed to doing is to show how I, as a Black woman, also have privilege, and that this is not something that is exclusive to white people. Often what happens when you talk to white people is that they say, 鈥淏ut I grew up in poverty,鈥� or 鈥淚鈥檓 an immigrant,鈥� Or 鈥淚鈥檓 a first-generation American and I鈥檝e struggled, too.鈥� But being white has never been a point of struggle for them.聽

I say this because I think it鈥檚 important to mirror and be instructional. And I say, 鈥淚鈥檓 a Black woman who is able-bodied. I鈥檓 a Black woman who is cisgender. I鈥檓 a Black woman who isn鈥檛 neurodivergent.鈥� All of those things gave me privilege to be able to write this book, to be able to show up in spaces and move my body. And so I also have to be a disability activist, I have to be championing trans and non-binary folks. It鈥檚 not just white people; each of us has our role. I hope that helps people see 鈥淥h, she doesn鈥檛 hate me. She鈥檚 talking about these systems that are set up to prioritize certain people and even she exists within it.鈥� It鈥檚 really a call to action to get on board like, 鈥淥h, you have only had this blissful experience while running. Guess what? I want that, too. Let鈥檚 work together.鈥�

You鈥檝e shared that you expect to get 鈥渉ate mail鈥� about some of the book鈥檚 chapters, but say that鈥檚 a good thing because it means people are talking. But do you typically engage with those people? How do you navigate figuring out where it can actually be productive, especially when you hear the same tired comments like, 鈥淪tick to running鈥� and 鈥渒eep politics out of running?鈥�

Honestly, it depends on where I鈥檓 at and how I鈥檓 feeling. Sometimes a comment lands for me in a way that I feel like I鈥檓 in the right frame of mind where I can answer it and don鈥檛 feel personally attacked. Other times, it is exhausting and I will not engage. But people who have genuine questions like, 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen the world that way. I can鈥檛 even understand. Can you explain it further?鈥� Folks who come from a place of curiosity, I am interested in engaging with because we have to remain curious. That鈥檚 really the only way that we build empathy and then we can make change. I think I have a good feeling at this point in my life to see when there鈥檚 a genuine conversation, and when somebody just wants to incite a feeling or troll me, and that will be my guide.

You鈥檝e also shouted out athletes like Alysia Monta帽o and Mirna Valerio for being unapologetically themselves in sharing their experiences and navigating the running world as Black athletes and how that has helped to validate your own experiences. Who are some other women in the running scene who you think are changing the game or have had a significant impact on your running journey?

, co-founder of (CSRD). The more I get to know her, the more I鈥檓 blown away by how honest, intentional and just brave she is. Also, , who is not somebody whose role is to talk about anti-racism. There should not be the expectation that every Black and Brown person is talking about racial equity. Does every Black and Brown person want equity? Of course. But our sole role on this Earth is not to talk about and try to deconstruct systems. For me, this is my passion and racial justice and equity is actually the work that I do. But India is a Black woman, this work isn鈥檛 what lights her up. She鈥檚 a coach who is the voice of a lot of races and does a lot of content focused on getting beginners into running, which is a beautiful thing. She is taking up space and showing her joyful, lived experience. Another one is , who served as one of the original leadership partners of RIDC and who I鈥檝e heard say, 鈥淚鈥檓 not a runner-runner.鈥� But she runs, she moves, and she is also somebody who鈥檚 always speaking unapologetically and has just done an incredible amount of good in the running industry.

You鈥檝e talked openly about how, as a Black woman, you鈥檝e always needed to be cognizant of your personal safety and just watch your back when you鈥檙e out for a run. The recent tragic murder of Eliza Fletcher re-bubbled up some of this discussion about how these cases usually don鈥檛 get as much attention when they involve women of color. You鈥檝e been asked before if women鈥檚 safety concerns affect you differently as a Black person, which has made you see how even womanhood is typically reserved for white people. How would you like to see the running industry improve when it comes to prioritizing and centering our safety and truly making this sport open to all?

Damn, good question. I mean, the murder of Eliza Fletcher absolutely was tragic and traumatic, but what it also showed me is that representation does in fact matter. Because when it鈥檚 a white woman who鈥檚 murdered, other white women and other white people feel like that could be them, so it matters to them. But when it鈥檚 a Black person, when it鈥檚 a Black woman or Black man, the response is not the same because they don鈥檛 relate to that story. And that鈥檚 where the problem is, that there is a sense of humanity and a sense of womanness or a sense of being centered, that is coupled with whiteness. Obviously, I don鈥檛 want anyone to be murdered while doing anything. But I want the same outrage, I want the same outpouring of support and demand for resources to come when our lives are taken. It鈥檚 even been reported that several months earlier, reporting that she had been attacked by Fletcher鈥檚 killer, but her account was not taken seriously. The way our lives are valued is not the same, which is why we say 鈥淏lack Lives Matter.鈥�

You鈥檙e juggling so much now between writing and now promoting this book and everything else you鈥檝e got going on in your career. The first thing you have listed in bios such as your LinkedIn headline is 鈥渄isruptor,鈥� which I think is awesome. Is that how you want to be known and remembered?

Yes, absolutely. I do a lot of things and that鈥檚 also just who I am. My nickname that my father gave me from a very young age, 鈥淧owdered Feet,鈥� speaks to that. I think that it鈥檚 really led by my curiosity of saying, 鈥淎re we doing this just because things have always been done this way? Is there a better way of doing this? Are we doing this and leaving people out?鈥� That doesn鈥檛 mean that I always have the answers or even the resources to address the system or the story or the place that I鈥檝e disrupted. It is powerful when somebody says something that causes you to pause and rethink the way you do something, rethink why you do the thing that you do. That鈥檚 what I hope my legacy is.

You recently held your first for women of color in the running industry. What was your vision for the event? Do you plan to make it an annual tradition?

Yes; we will absolutely be doing it next year. We say this is for women, femme and non-binary folks of color, and we had all of those people attend. But there were probably over 65 women of color who were there. And I was just looking around, 鈥淚 know there are more women of color in this industry, why aren鈥檛 they here?鈥� The goal for the retreat was, on one hand, simply just to provide a space where these folks could feel seen. We wanted to affirm, 鈥淵ou are not the only. Look at how many of us there are.鈥� We wanted to create networking opportunities, so that somebody who maybe is junior level could find mentorship and support that they may not have internally. Our goal for Year 2 is to be even more intentional with creating tracks for people who are entrepreneurs, as well as for people working for brands, retailers, and events. Our goal is to really shift the industry and ensure that more women, femme, and non-binary folks are in it and can see what it means to have a career in the industry.

How has your trajectory in your running journey and doing so much work in the industry impacted your identity as a runner? What have you learned about yourself both as a woman and as a runner?

As a runner, I鈥檝e learned that I really don鈥檛 care about accolades. Medals don鈥檛 matter to me. Particular races don鈥檛 matter to me. And maybe that鈥檚 because I鈥檝e been there, done that. That doesn鈥檛 mean that I won鈥檛 ever get excited about or train for a race. But running is just something that鈥檚 an important practice in my life and an important teacher in my life. And then as a human being, it鈥檚 taught me that you can really love something and also want to change it. Something can be transformational for you and still not be accessible for other people, and you can and should pursue that.聽

What other projects do you have going on in the coming months?

I have a PBS show that鈥檚 coming out in December that is very much about Black, Indigenous and People of Color who are reclaiming their space in the outdoors. Through that, I鈥檝e been able to kayak, fly fish, hike and more. So when I think about running or movement, I think about it in terms of the places that I want to see and the communities that I want to connect with.

I鈥檓 also planning a retreat for BIPOC of all genders in Alaska next summer, which I am super excited about. I was presented with the opportunity to create this retreat with , where they handle all the logistics, and I provide the experience of going to places that probably were not on our radar, and also have conversations about belonging, safety, and joy while running incredible trails and learning about the Indigenous land that we鈥檙e running on. I鈥檓 really grateful that I can curate these types of trips that typically don鈥檛 have somebody like me leading them and I invite everyone to check it out.

Even though it鈥檚 still being fleshed out, you already have quite the book tour planned out going into 2023. What are you most looking forward to about it?

I am excited to be disruptive in new places, to say things that make people really grapple with and rethink what they thought they鈥檝e known, whether about running or about history. I鈥檒l be in communities where I won鈥檛 know most of the people who show up, which will be new for me. Some of these are spaces where I don鈥檛 imagine that conversations around racial equity are happening a lot. I鈥檒l feel safe, since I鈥檒l be with folks who I love, including Chris Lampen-Crowell and John Benedict, who are with RIDC and who have gone through some difficult conversations with me. Many of the stops will include a 5K run and a conversation, and people are welcome to join for either or both.

What do you hope readers, both white runners and runners of color, ultimately take away from this book when they finish reading it?

I hope they leave feeling empowered to run, take action, question their beliefs, and learn true stories, not just what is taught in history.聽

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.聽

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