Runner’s World Dec. 2011 Feature & Why You Should Read It
Earlier this year, I blogged about my awkward experience at my local YMCA when a white attendant appeared offended by my Black Girls RUN! hoodie. Just earlier that month we launched Black Girls RUN! running groups across the nation so I was feeling especially good about the direction the organization was taking. But it’s always moments like these that make you second guess yourself and in this case our vision of tackling all of the health issues in the African-American community head on. Ironically, just a few months later, we were contacted by Jay Jennings who told us he was writing a story for Runner’s World about the lack of diversity in distance running and wanted to discuss how Black Girls RUN! was helping to change that. First of all, I must admit we were shocked, floored and extremely flattered. After all, since I fell in love with running, I’ve been a subscriber of the magazine. To think that we would be featured was nothing short of a miracle orchestrated by God.
But secondly, it reaffirmed that something was wrong with one of my favorite pastimes and we weren’t the only ones that recognized it. Finally, the issue was getting some attention. Fast forward to this past week. The December 2011 issue finally hit newsstands with the article “Why is running so white?”. Ashley and I along with the entire BGR! camp was extremely excited. I didn’t have any expectations about the piece, but I knew it was going to be interesting.
I can’t tell you how many times I have re-read the story. I’ve had several people ask how I feel about the article, was there anything misconstrued, etc. Overall, we couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. While fully engrossed in this topic every day, it was a completely new learning experience for me too. (Seriously, the founding president of New York Road Runners, Ted Corbitt was a black American. He also helped found the Road Runners Club of America yet he’s virtually non-existent in their history). If you haven’t bought it, go buy it now.
