On the first day of Black History Month (Feb 1st), I ran my first race of the year, a 14-mile-long trail race in north Phoenix. All participants were welcomed by a beautiful sunrise in the Sonoran desert with orange and red colors growing behind the mountains, as the day welcomed dozens of runners to Cave Creek Park. The best part of my experience was sharing time, talking and running with a dedicated group that promotes health and wellness among African American men, Black Men Run.
Black Men Run (BMR) is a national organization and a movement that supports a wide range of abilities through running, centering a space by Black Men for Black Men, yet open to everyone. BMR's mission is “to encourage health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running/jogging to stay fit, resulting in "a healthy brotherhood”.” This national organization has Chapters all over the country, somewhat similar to Sierra Club Chapter Outings. Besides participants from Arizona, there were runners coming from Colorado, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, among other places.
Similar to Latino Outdoors or Indigenous Women Hike, BMR is a great example of what closing the Nature Equity gap is, by providing opportunities, connection and belonging to communities and individuals who might not otherwise have access to enjoy the outdoors, or see themselves represented as leaders and creators of their own space. They share an affinity for the outdoors, an affinity for running, and also an affinity with each other, all of which provide an intentional, safe and welcoming atmosphere that allows people to feel seen and comfortable.
I completed the Elephant Mountain 22K (13.9 mi) in 2:34 hrs. 32nd place overall, 24th among men, and 4th in my age category. Beyond individual results or personal records, the group coalesced in mutual support, encouragement, and made a quiet, yet visible statement of how representation matters in outdoor spaces where marginalized communities are not always present, visible or welcome.
Thank you Black Men Run for creating and sharing this space, showing that intentional leadership and representation help bridge the gap between those who have always felt seen and included in the outdoors, and those who have not. Happy Black History Month. Certainly a page in history was written at this event.
Sergio Avila
Chapter Outings Senior Program Coordinator, Sierra Club
I live, work and recreate in the ancestral and contemporary lands of Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Peoples.
Want to follow Sergio on his runs? You can find him on Instagram @sergio_concolor!
The Chapter Outings team at Sierra Club inspires and equips Chapters and volunteers all over the country to actualize healthy outings and facilitate welcoming and inclusive experiences for members, participants and visitors. By cultivating meaningful outdoor engagement, Chapter Outings supports Chapters in closing the nature equity gap.