Equality on Global Running Day
Photos by Marques Jackson/Filles Garçons Photography at Atlanta Art Run.
By Marnie Kunz
Global Running Day this year feels different - not the usual carefree beginning to summer running in NYC streets and the start of a busy Art Running season. Instead we are dealing with deep scars and divisions in our country, a worldwide coronavirus health crisis, and a crashing economy. So it would feel glib to just post a happy running photo and encourage people to run as we usually do on Global Running Day. Instead I wanted to take a moment to address the serious and transformative, powerful side of running. And look at how we can use running as a tool in our advocacy for each other’s rights to run safely.
As we runners know, running is a catharctic act - it helps us deal with anger, lifts our mood, and soothes our soul. It is also one of the best ways to care for our bodies and health. But this privilege to be able to enjoy running is not felt by everyone. Indeed, with the recent shooting of unarmed black runner Ahmaud Arbery by a white man in Georgia, many in the running community were shocked and outraged. This horrific incident gave the world a glimpse into the deep, festering history of racism that has permeated the U.S. since its inception and continued to haunt black Americans in so many aspects of life. Including running.
As many of us posted our runs in tribute to Ahmaud Arbery, a movement also stirred. Black runners spoke up and told their stories of being profiled, harassed and even endangered by police and others while running. As protests and calls for racial justice echo in every city of America, it seems to fall on deaf ears in the government. Yet we as runners and as human beings can help.
Sifting through the surreal events on the news, many of us are left feeling powerless and at a loss. And on a personal level, running can help us deal with these intense feelings. But how do we continue to advocate for racial justice and long overdue equality for all runners?
I wish I had more answers.
But here is what we were already doing at Runstreet: We continue to encourage diversity at our events and with the causes we support. Our upcoming Virtual Pride Art Run will benefit Callen-Lorde LGBTQ community health center, which has become our annual tradition. We also have led events to support immigrant rights with an Art Run for RAICES Texas. We recently led a Virtual Art Run to support Back on My Feet NYC, which helps people experience homelessness, many of them recently released from incarceration, using the power of running.
Runstreet is a woman-owned, LGBTQ-owned small business and we promote diversity in our staff. In fact, 84% of our staff are people of color, women and/or LGBTQ. We collaborate with and promote other local small businesses, including black-owned photography business Filles Garcons Photography, led by the best running photographer, Marques Jackson, whom provides the incredible shots at all of our NYC Art Run events. Our founder is a member of Brooklyn-based women’s business group Salon Sundays led by Rachel Beider, which actively cross promotes and supports local women’s small businesses.
All this is not to brag or self-congratulate but to assure you that we take equality and diversity very seriously at Runstreet, and we promote more than just running. As we reel from recent events, we are brainstorming ways we can do more to protect each other and advocate for equality for everyone.
Here is what we are working on in light of recent events:
Listening to the experience of people of color and taking in ideas and suggestions for ways we can improve and step up to speak out, advocate for and help protect our fellow runners.
Finding more ways to collaborate with and support black-owned businesses.
Finding ways to use our platform to raise money for racial justice.
Conversation. Despite the physical distance for many of us right now, we would like to keep an ongoing dialogue about racial injustices and insight into racial profiling and related problems black runners face.
Donations. We have donated to Black Lives Matter and are researching anti-racist causes we can continue to support with future events and initiatives.
As Global Running Day winds down this year, we are thankful for the chance to run with you all and for your continued love, support and compassion in this difficult time for all of us. Please email us at hello@runstreet,com if you have any ideas, suggestions or concerns, now or any time. And please stay safe out there and take care of each other.
Marnie Kunz is a RRCA-certified running coach and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She is a Brooklyn resident, running coach and writer. She enjoys traveling, art, and eating messily. You can follow her running and events at @Runstreet Instagram and Runstreet Facebook.
Resources: Black Lives Matter, Filles Garcons Photography, Virtual Pride Art Run
