Black To The Trails
LME and Black Trail Runners aim to get more black people trail running...
At the front of any top-class endurance road race, there tends to be dominance by wonderfully gifted black athletes. UK census data shows that 4% of the UK population identify as being from black or black mixed ethnic populations yet UK trail running events entry data shows a disproportionate less than 0.7% of its participants are from these communities.
More broadly Natural England, the government's adviser for the natural environment in England, estimates that people from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds comprise only 1% of visitors to our National Parks despite making up about 14% of the general population.
Fortunately, we have Black Trail Runners to thank for addressing this imbalance and now London Marathon Events (LME) has joined as logistical and funding partners for 2025, their groundbreaking Black to the Trails event is on an unstoppable trajectory to even more success. Black Trail Runners was founded in 2020 and Black to the Trails launched in 2023 to make trail running more inclusive. To learn more about Black Trail Runners here is a short video...
Black to the Trails is the first UK trail running event fully organised 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.
Black to the Trails’ participation figures show more than 70% black and ethnically diverse runners, and more than 70% of entrants are female. With the support of London Marathon Events, Black to the Trails wants to introduce even more black walkers, joggers and runners to the trails in 2025 and beyond.
The next edition of Black to the Trails takes place on Sunday 11 May 2025 in the National Trust's Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate in Bedfordshire. Events include a 1K, 5K, and both a flat 10K trail and a 'Scotch Bonnet' 10K involving hill running.
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.”
Entries for the 2025 Black to the Trails are now open. For more information or to register to take part, visit the Black to the Trails website here.
Photos courtesy of Black Trail Runners Gallery