We’re All Real Runners: Building New Worlds for Running

In the first blog post of this series, Rethinking Success in Running: Why We Need a New Standard, I explored how success in running is often defined by speed, endurance, and comparison. As a running coach and advocate for inclusion, I see how these narrow standards limit who gets recognized and supported in the running world. In this series, we’ll examine who gets seen in running spaces, who gets left out, and how we can redefine success to make running more accessible for everyone. We’ll explore how race, gender, body size, disability, and age influence access and representation—and the barriers many runners face.

One of the biggest barriers is the idea that only certain people “count” as real runners.

Expanding Running’s Definition of Who Belongs

Running is often framed as one of the most inclusive sports—anyone can lace up their shoes and head out the door. But in reality, not everyone is welcomed, represented, or celebrated in the same way.

While the sport is growing more diverse, many runners still face barriers to being seen, respected, and included. And if you don’t fit the traditional mold—because of your pace, body size, race, gender identity, disability, or socioeconomic background—you may find yourself constantly having to prove you belong.

So, who gets to be seen as a “real runner?” And what needs to change to make running truly inclusive?

Who Running Culture Centers (and Who It Leaves Out)

The dominant narrative in running—whether in races, training spaces, or social media—prioritizes certain types of runners over others.

• Thin, fast, elite white runners are the standard. This ideal is often reinforced by media coverage, sponsorships, and race marketing, where elite, white, able-bodied runners are depicted as the epitome of success. In (White) Feminism In Trail Running, Cherie Louise Turner examines how this standard not only elevates elite white runners but also perpetuates a model of success that centers white, cisgender women in trail running, marginalizing those who don’t fit this mold. Women of color, in particular, face additional barriers to participation and recognition. This focus on elite, fast, white runners can make it harder for diverse participants to see themselves as part of the running community or feel welcome in certain spaces.
• White runners move without the same safety concerns. Black and Brown runners often face profiling, harassment, or violence, making the idea of “just going for a run” far more complicated than many realize. Alison Desire’s Running While Black touches on this issue, illustrating how racialized runners are often feel out of place or unsafe in predominantly white spaces.
• Trans and nonbinary runners are frequently overlooked and unsupported. The experiences of trans and nonbinary runners have become increasingly marginalized in the running world, especially in light of ongoing attacks on trans inclusion in sports. What’s particularly troubling is the silence from popular runners and mainstream running media. While the conversation about inclusion and representation has evolved in many ways, there has been a notable lack of vocal support for trans and nonbinary athletes in the running community. This silence not only contributes to the marginalization of trans and nonbinary runners but also sends a message that their right to participate is up for debate, rather than being a given.

When we talk about inclusion in running, we must recognize that people’s experiences are shaped by multiple, overlapping identities. Race, gender, body size, ability, and other factors don’t exist in isolation—they intersect in ways that create unique, compounded barriers for many runners.

For example, a Black woman’s experience of racism and sexism in running spaces is not simply the sum of racism and sexism, but something distinct that can shape her experience of exclusion in ways that differ from white women or men of color. Understanding these intersections is key to building truly inclusive spaces, where all runners—regardless of their identities—feel valued and supported.

Building New Worlds for Running

In Emergent Strategy, Adrienne Maree Brown says, ‘We are building the world we want to live in. The world we create is the world we live in.’ I want to build the world I want to run in—a world where all runners are seen, valued, and celebrated for their unique journeys.

Brown deepens this idea in Practicing New Worlds by urging us to intentionally practice the worlds we want to create. This isn’t just about talking about inclusivity in running, it’s about actively embodying it. Here’s how we can use Brown’s principles to guide our efforts in building inclusive running spaces:

1. Be Intentional in Our Actions.
   Every decision in our running spaces—whether it’s race fees, the pace we set, or the language we use—should align with our values of inclusion. As Brown writes, ‘We are practicing the worlds we want to create.’ Every run, every event is an opportunity to make our values of belonging and accessibility visible in action.
2. Embrace Interdependence.
   Creating inclusive spaces requires mutual care and understanding. We are all interdependent, and the experience of one runner affects the whole community. By supporting each other and meeting diverse needs, we create a network of care that makes space for every runner to thrive.
3. Reimagine What Running Can Be.
   We can radically reimagine running, not just as a sport for elite athletes or fast times, but as a practice for joy, expression, and connection. In this new world, success is about showing up, embracing effort, and celebrating every runner, no matter their pace or background.
4. Practice Inclusion Through Presence.
   To truly create inclusive spaces, we must embody inclusivity in everything we do. This means being present for each other, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and supported. As Brown says, ‘It’s not enough to talk about it—we must practice it in every interaction.’

Together, we can build the world we want to run in—a world that values all runners, regardless of their identity or ability.

Final Thoughts: Practicing New Worlds for Running

If running is truly for everyone, then we need to expand the definition of what a “real runner” looks like. This isn’t just about challenging individual biases. It’s about building and practicing worlds where everyone who wants to run is seen as and treated like a “real runner.”

The more we normalize and celebrate different bodies, paces, identities, and running styles, the more people will see themselves in the sport—and know they belong. In practicing the values of inclusion and care in every run, event, and interaction, we are creating a new world for running. A world where all runners are seen, valued, and supported.