Pioneers Run Crew Founder Makes Strides for Diversity
Photo by Frances @franipac.
By Marnie Kunz
I recently stumbled into an IG live interview with Pioneers Run Crew founder Sidney Baptista and despite my usually short attention span, found myself fascinated and listening to the whole interview. Sidney is making big strides in the Boston running world and beyond with his Pioneers Run Crew and PYNRS running apparel and streetwear brand with a focus on diversity, community, and aesthetics and performance. Here is his inspiring story:
“ I grew to love running and I naturally wanted EVERYONE to join me.”
How long have you been running?
I have been running for about 8 years, picked it up in 2014.
I started running in 2014 with Nike Run Club down on Newbury Street. It was a way to stay in shape and meet new people. I’ve always been a sprinter and could not comprehend why anyone would run more than 1 lap on a track. Distance running was hard and I got competitive. As I cultivated more friendships through running, I quickly fell into training for my first marathon in 2015. I was really enjoying my new routine and learned that running/training helped me build a level of discipline I had yet to experience. I grew to love running and I naturally wanted EVERYONE to join me.
What inspired you to start Pioneers Run Crew?
I founded PIONEERS Run Crew to create an inclusive community for runners of color in Dorchester, and to diversify the running scene. I was growing tired of having to leave my house and go miles away just to run a couple of miles, and I also started to see that there were very few people of color in these spaces. For a more detailed history on PIONEERS Run Crew see this Runners World feature.
What is #RuntheCulture?
‘Run the culture’ is a statement of ownership of running culture by a diverse group of runners. It is a statement of ambition - to push ourselves to new heights and new experiences as we show up for the culture and each other. But it is also a statement of intent - to carry running culture beyond boundaries: connecting new people, new places, and new communities as we explore our cities.
What is PYNRS?
PYNRS is exceeding expectations. Clearly, there’s a demand for a streetwear and running apparel brand with a focus on diversity, community, and an equal regard for aesthetics and performance. And the big names of the industry like Runners World and Health Magazine are paying attention.
Where can we check out the gear?
We launched our apparel line via crowdfunding at www.fundblackfounders.com/pynrs so that we could fund our minimum orders from our manufacture. It will then be available via our e-commerce platform at www.pynrs.com.
What is your mission within the running community?
Our mission is to leverage running culture to unite diverse communities. We create apparel specifically for diverse body types and we create with communities of color in mind because no other running brand is currently doing that.
What is your biggest project currently?
Our biggest current project is the launch of our brand via Crowdfund. When we hit our $75,000 milestone, we will be able to create a youth running camp in Boston this coming summer. If we want to make running more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, we need to start with our youth.
Where can we follow your endeavors?
Please follow us at:
@PYNRS_ on Instagram
www.fundblackfounders.com/pynrs
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer, USATF, and 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, trainer, Akita mom, and writer. She enjoys running coaching, traveling, art, and eating messily. You can follow her running and events at @Runstreet Instagram.
