Barriers, Safety, and Belonging: BIPOC Runners’ Experiences in U.S. Trail and Road Running
A study to understand barriers, safety, and inclusion for BIPOC runners in U.S. trail, road running and racing.
SOUrce: RUNNING INDUSTRY DIVERSITY COALITION & BENTLEY UNIVERSITY
This research report provides the first comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in U.S. trail and road running. Drawing on survey responses from 1,138 participants — 79% of whom identify as BIPOC — alongside focus groups, the study uncovers the unique barriers, safety concerns, and cultural dynamics that shape BIPOC participation, with a particular focus on gendered experiences. The report has sparked ongoing conversations about equity, safety, and belonging in the running community.
What you should know:
63% of BIPOC respondents who feel unsafe on trails are women; safety fears are heightened among women and gender-expansive runners.
Only 47% of BIPOC runners always feel safe on trails (vs. 49% of white runners); just 41% of BIPOC runners always feel safe on roads.
BIPOC runners feel significantly less safe than white runners during both trail and road races (56% vs. 80% always feel safe at trail races).
Common safety adaptations include sharing locations, running in groups, and avoiding isolated trails.
BIPOC runners report feeling like outsiders in predominantly white spaces; “inclusive” is rarely used by BIPOC runners to describe trail culture.
BIPOC women face compounded barriers due to both gender and race, resulting in heightened vigilance, restricted participation, and increased emotional labor.
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