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BLACK TRAIL RUNNERS IS A COMMUNITY AND CAMPAIGNING CHARITY THAT SEEKS TO INCREASE THE INCLUSION, PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE OF BLACK ETHNICITY IN TRAIL RUNNING.
TRAIL
Running in the outdoors should be for everyone, but although trail running culture imagines itself to be inclusive, it is effectively for the few.
Runners of Black ethnicity are under-represented in the culture of trail running, and lack a voice in its organisation and visibility in its media.
Invisible barriers to access mean that people of Black ethnicity miss out on enjoying our outdoor spaces such as National Parks and National Trails, and are effectively excluded from the joy of the natural environment and the many physical and mental health benefits that it brings.
Dream it.
With Black and minority ethnic communities excluded from the narrative of trail running, they are denied a powerful way to imagine themselves in the healing outdoor space. As our lives become more stressful and our cities more congested, it becomes increasingly important to spend time in the natural environment, to breathe fresh air and experience the wonder of our changing seasons.
The British rural landscape is beautiful and belongs to us all. We want to share the joy we have found in exploring it through trail running and empower new communities to do the same.
Do it.
Watch it
Build it.
A lack of diversity prevents the new ideas, new narratives, new growth and the new performance levels that would inevitably come if more people of Black ethnicity were actively welcomed into trail running culture.
The exclusive environment of trail running raises difficult questions around prejudice and racism in the wider community.
We invite current, past and future trail runners to join us, to help develop the representation, promote the inclusion and increase participation of people of Black ethnicity in trail running, ultrarunning and mountain running.
Say it.
Wear it
GET INVOLVED
Whether you live in the Lake District or the centre of London, Trail Running is one of the most accessible ways to practice sport and exercise in nature.
Trail at its most basic form is the act of running over natural surfaces for ‘fun’. This could be through the woods, in the park or over a mountain. If you are getting away from concrete, steel and traffic you’re probably trail running.
Why would you want to do this?
Trail running is about more than just the typical relentless forward progress of road running, it’s about exploring the outdoors. On trail, any run turns into an adventure; whether that’s finding a new footpath through the woods you’ve never noticed before, jumping over fallen trees or standing at the top of a hill and just taking in the view.
There’s no doubt the trails are good for mental health. Here, at Black Trail Runners, we’re big believers in the therapeutic power of spending time outdoors. Running in nature is a great reliever of tension and there’s no doubt it boosts your mood!
If you’re looking for more physical benefits of the trails, then bear in mind trail running is generally more beneficial in terms of strength training when you compare it to road running. It also works on your coordination and balance as your body is forced to work harder to stabilise your movement because you’re not running on smooth, paved surfaces.
So, whether you’re already an experienced trail runner, or you’re just thinking about lacing up for your first dirt run, we’d love to hear from you and welcome you into our community. We provide a safe space for our community members to share adventures in the outdoors, races and training sessions, ask and answer questions on kit, nutrition, meet-ups and we support each other along the way.
Sound good? Join us on our Facebook group - we look forward to running with you.
EVENTS
Make a donation.
It’s how we make a difference
BTR is a charity run by volunteers. We use funding to host taster sessions, help members travel to and enter races, enable black runners to gain instructor certification, spread the message of inclusivity and diversity in person and in print, and pay for the admin of the group. If you would like to support us financially you can donate on our JustGiving page.
Thank you.
The
Checkpoint
Podcast
The Checkpoint podcast is hosted by Black Trail Runners and discusses the access, skills and representation of Black people who want to experience, or are experienced in, trail running. Featuring interviews from across the globe we uncover the joy and challenges in navigating rural spaces.
Supported by Adidas Terrex.
FOUNDERS
RACHEL
Rachel is a PT, Writer and Dog Mum. She loves to run - especially on trails - competing in races from 10km to ultramarathons and is passionate about working towards making the outdoors more accessible and more welcoming to Black people and people of colour.
MARCUS
Marcus started running in 2006. He has reduced his marathon from a time of 4:55, down to 2:56. He’s a World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher, half MDS Peru finisher, podcaster, writer and England Athletics LiRF coach.
SONNY
Part Jamaican, part Yorkshireman, I like to go long, with 30 marathons and ultras under my belt. In my spare time, I support Leeds United, appear on stage as a Pantomime dame, and teach at King’s College London.
SABRINA
Sabrina started running in 2009 following the birth of her fourth child.
She became obsessed with trail running in 2016 while training for her first ultramarathon - the Marathon Des Sables.
Since then she has completed in various race distances, her longest being the Spine Race - a 268-mile non stop footrace along Britain’s oldest trail, The Penine Way.
PHIL
Into running for the good times rather than the long times. Trail, along with cycling and snowboarding is way a for him to get out of the city and to engage with nature through sport. He claims that he’s mechanically unable to do more than about 20K.
Get in touch.
We’re always looking for more people to help us grow the community. Please reach out if you’d like to get involved or learn more about us!
