London Marathon Events supports Black to the Trails

Black Trail Runners and London Marathon Events (LME) has announced that the Black Trail Runners’ event Black to the Trails will be delivered in partnership with London Marathon Events in 2025.

Black to the Trails is the UK’s most ethnically diverse trail running event, with more than 70% of participants from ethnically diverse backgrounds, which compares to 18% of the UK population.

The event is organised and delivered by Black Trail Runners, a community and campaigning charity seeking to increase the inclusion, participation and representation of people of Black ethnicity in trail running. 

Black to the Trails is the first UK trail running event organised fully by ethnically diverse people. The event is inclusive and celebrates the Black community, offering distances for all ages and abilities and a carnival atmosphere with food, music, colours and designs all from and inspired by Black culture.

The 2025 edition of Black to the Trails takes place on Sunday 11 May in Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire, including events over 1K, 5K and both a flat 10K and a Scotch Bonnet 10K involving hill running.

LME is providing the organisers with logistical support for the continued successful delivery of the event and providing funding for the 2025 event.

Hamid Vaghefian, Head of Community Engagement at London Marathon Events, said: “Trail running is a brilliant way to explore nature, be active, and build a community. It should be inclusive for everyone, but the figures show that events aren’t representative of the population.

“At London Marathon Events we’re working to make running, sports and exercise more inclusive. Black to the Trails really celebrates Black communities, so we’re excited to be working with Black Trail Runners to keep growing this incredible event.”

Current UK census data shows that 4% of the UK population identify as from Black or Black mixed ethnic populations, but UK trail events entry data shows that less than 0.7% of trail event participants are from these communities. Black to the Trails’ participation figures are more than 70% Black and ethnically diverse runners and more than 70% female.

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Black Trail Runners and Event Director of Black to the Trails, said: “Black to the Trails isn’t just about running; it’s about helping people of Black ethnicity to build a relationship with the outdoors. We know that green spaces have a huge positive impact on mental wellbeing, and evidence shows that Black communities have been, and continue to be, increasingly urbanised. With less than 1 per cent of visitors to national parks being from ethnically diverse populations, there’s a clear gap in the access that people of colour have to nature.  

“We work tirelessly to change those statistics and make trail running more inclusive and ethnically diverse. London Marathon Events is another organisation passionate about making activity and exercise more inclusive so we’re looking forward to working with them.”

Black Trail Runners was founded in 2020, and Black to the Trails was launched in 2023 to make trail running more inclusive. With the support of London Marathon Events, Black to the Trails wants to introduce more Black walkers, joggers and runners to the trails in 2025 and beyond.

 Entries for 2025 Black to the Trails are now open. For more information or to register to take part, visit the Black to the Trails website.

ENDS