The Intersection of Trail Running, Politics, & White Supremacy

The Intersection of Trail Running, Politics, & White Supremacy

This conversation was inspired by recent events, but as the hosts make clear, this lack of accountability isn't new. Verna, Stefanie, and Alison provide context and critique around why and how running is always inherently political, especially trail running, and how the power structure of white supremacy continues to play out in these spaces. In this episode, there is also celebration. Among the highlights, the hosts talk about the accomplishments of former Earthmovers guest Tuvshin Baatar–at 58, he finished the 2026 Western States 100-miler, cheered on by his parents, both in their 90s, who flew over from Mongolia for the event.  EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/] EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com [http://earthmoverspodcast.substack.com] Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor  Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com [http://altrarunning.com] Mentioned in this Episode  Earthmovers episode ft. Dora Atim: youtu.be/4pn-DIV4V0s?si=bXZqZw5OOfj-MpEe [https://youtu.be/4pn-DIV4V0s?si=bXZqZw5OOfj-MpEe] Earthmovers episode ft. Tuvshin Baatar: youtu.be/uRyGRXrOWek?si=-7ZjvbYQ0Auz4WK0 [https://youtu.be/uRyGRXrOWek?si=-7ZjvbYQ0Auz4WK0] Tuvshin Baartar's story on Instagram, via GU: instagram.com/reel [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaBHomapJ8-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] Tuvshin Baatar Earthmovers Substack post: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com/p/catching-up-with-tuvshin-baatar  [https://earthmoverspodcast.substack.com/p/catching-up-with-tuvshin-baatar] Tressie McMillan Cottom New York Times article "How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump": nytimes.com/2024/11/21/opinion/trump-trad-wives-podcasters-wellness [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/opinion/trump-trad-wives-podcasters-wellness.html?eafs_enabled=false] EARTHMOVERS Hosts  Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 [https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4/] Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir  [https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir/] Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin [https://www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin/]

Representation and Diverse Trail Running Stories: A Look Back on Season 2

Hear about memorable moments from the season; surprises, learnings, and joys. Alison, Verna, and Stefanie also discuss what they are looking forward to next.  Remember, we have merch and a Substack. You can also keep up with us @earthmoverspodcast on Instagram.  Thank you to our listeners, supporters, Altra, and everyone who continues to help make this idea into a reality. Changing the narrative is a community effort.  We are already seeing the power of sharing these stories, highlighting different perspectives and experiences in outdoor spaces, and making connections to grow community, representation, and support so that everybody feels welcome and safe to show up as their full selves.  We are still just getting started! EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/] EARTHMOVERS merch: bonfire.com/earthmovers [https://www.bonfire.com/earthmovers/] Our Seasons 1 and 2 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com [https://www.altrarunning.com/] EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 [https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4/] Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir [https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir/] Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin [https://www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin/]

Diversifying the Running Industry: Kiera Smalls, RIDC

The mission of the RIDC is to “unite the running industry to improve inclusion, visibility, and access while creating clearer pathways for people to enter the sport and build meaningful careers within the running industry.” It’s the only organization of its kind in the running industry. Alison and Verna are both co-founders of the RIDC. Kiera is also the co-founder of the running community City Fit Girls, which became Strides.  Kiera thrives on connecting people and resources, and making meaningful change. In this conversation, Kiera tells about her own journey to meaningful movement and running and how that led to her becoming a leader in the movement space, starting in Philadelphia. The groups she help found became models for other movement communities. Kiera then applied these skills in her professional life, helping companies and organizations expand their reach and audience.  Kiera has been guided by her motto: If I can’t be me, it’s not for me. And she's applied this to how she envisions messaging to others. Who is this for? All of her experience made Kiera an ideal candidate to run the RIDC, which just celebrated 5 years. Kiera talks about what the RIDC does, some of its big achievements, and announces some big news about what’s happening next. And she talks about her new guiding mantra to “Do less, but do better.”  Through this conversation, discover how Kiera Smalls has developed the ability to make real change happen, how she's turned skills and passion into action, and what those real world changes actually are. It’s also a time for Verna and Alison to look back with Kiera on the ambitious plans they helped set in motion, and celebrate how those plans are manifesting under Kiera’s exceptional leadership. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/] EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com [http://earthmoverspodcast.substack.com] Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor  Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com [http://altrarunning.com] Mentioned in this Episode  Kiera Smalls on Instagram: @kierasmalls [https://www.instagram.com/kierasmalls/] Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) on Instagram: @runningdiversity [https://www.instagram.com/runningdiversity/] RIDC website: runningdiversity.com [https://www.runningdiversity.com/] Movement for All: runningdiversity.com/movement-for-all [https://www.runningdiversity.com/movement-for-all] EARTHMOVERS Hosts  Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 [https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4/] Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir  [https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir/] Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin [https://www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin/]

Being an Ally in Trail Running: Yuri Hauswald, GU

Additionally, Yuri taught school for 12 years before working for GU. Yuri has always been someone who aims to create welcoming spaces for all, and this has carried over into his work at GU: he has placed an emphasis there on sponsoring and providing opportunities to diverse riders and runners. And, as Stefanie points out when introducing Yuri in this episode: “In addition, in our opinion, he's also just one of the greatest definitions of an ally in the endurance and trail world.” Stefanie and Alison have both worked with Yuri for the past several years, and in this illuminating conversation, they get into a huge range of topics, which all point to how Yuri has become the leader and community builder he is today. Stefanie and Alison learn about Yuri’s childhood, his experiences as a lacrosse player, how he came to study African American literature, and his years teaching. Yuri also shares about his life as a cyclist, and the many roles he’s played in that sport, including talking about some of the many nonprofit organizations he’s supported. And Yuri talks about the work he does at GU–including his experiences with Stefanie and Alison, and his approach to building authentic, impactful, mutually supportive relationships, which go beyond contracts. As Yuri says, “It all really boils down to me wanting to have everybody have similar experiences that I've had or I've seen others have and how transformational it can be, whether you're on the podium or not. Podium does not matter.... It's being outdoors. Movement outdoors is medicine, whether you're running, hiking, riding a horse, surfing, ... all the things. Moving in nature is is really important, and we all should have access to it." EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/] EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com [http://earthmoverspodcast.substack.com] Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor  Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com [http://altrarunning.com] Mentioned in this Episode  Yuri Hauswald on Instagram: @yhauswald [https://www.instagram.com/yhauswald/] Silver Stallion Bicycle and Coffee Works: silverstallion.org [https://silverstallion.org/] Pablove Foundation: pablove.org [https://www.pablove.org/] Norcal High School Mountain Bike League: norcalmtb.org [https://www.norcalmtb.org/] Bloom House Youth Services: bloomhouseks.org [https://www.bloomhouseks.org/#/] Conservation Alliance: conservationalliance.com [https://conservationalliance.com/] 1% for the Planet: onepercentfortheplanet.org [https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/] Challenged Athletes Foundation: challengedathletes.org [https://www.challengedathletes.org/] EARTHMOVERS Hosts  Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 [https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4/] Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir  [https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir/] Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin [https://www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin/]

Native Perspectives on Ultra Trail Running, Race Directing: Harold Bennally

Harold Benally is Navajo, living in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a longtime distance runner and has run road marathons and now runs ultra trail races. He’s competed in several 100 milers and is currently training for his longest race, the Cocodona 250. Verna, who is also Navajo, and Harold have been friends for many years: that shines through in this beautiful, powerful, and rich conversation. As Harold tells Verna, he has been running for as long as he can remember: this sport is both challenging and it connects his to his culture, his community, his family, and his ancestors. Formative in Harold's life was the time he spent with his grandfather, who was a medicine man. Running was intertwined in the teachings he learned from his grandfather, and it became something he did with his sisters, and then later he competed in school, beginning in junior high. Harold ran for Page High School in Page, Arizona, a school that has a long reputation for having a strong running program. After graduation, Harold became a coach there. To this day, Harold works to support younger runners, including, proceeds from his race fund youth programs. Harold and Verna discuss Harold's racing experiences, including running the Boston Marathon in moccasins to honor the passing of his father and running his first trail race. Harold shares how his strong connections to his ancestors and remembering the hardships they endured as well as the enduring legacy they've left behind give him strength. Verna also asks about the Antelope Canyon X Half Marathon, the race that Harold created and is race director for. She and Harold talk about the land the race covers and the personal touches Harold gives this event, including hand crafting jewelry for each participant who finishes—Harold's answer to race medals. And of course, Harold talks about his preparation for his longest challenge yet: the Cocodona 250, which kicks off on May 4. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/] EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com [http://earthmoverspodcast.substack.com] Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor  Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com [http://altrarunning.com] Mentioned in this Episode  Harold Bennally on Instagram: @haroldbennally [https://www.instagram.com/haroldbennally/] Moccasin Running on Instagram: @moccasinrunning [https://www.instagram.com/moccasinrunning/] EARTHMOVERS Hosts  Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 [https://www.instagram.com/hozhorunner4/] Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir  [https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir/] Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance.  @stefanieannflippin [https://www.instagram.com/stefanieannflippin/]