Thanks for the shout out, but bigger thanks for writing up your considered thoughts on all this. I don't know that there ever has to be one right answer for these sort of discussions, but I'm pretty certain that is essential that we ask the questions - not just of what others are doing, but how we act in relation to it all. Thanks for getting this chat going.
And not just running, but everything. Running, what we eat, how we spend our money, who we prioritise in our personal lives, etc etc
There definitely isn't just one answer. I certainly understand the privilege one must have to be able to curate their life perfectly (impossible!) without compromising one's ideals, but I do believe in wanting an end goal of beauty. With that always in mind, causing a little more thought, I think we can all at least get a little closer.
My main running group (we do intervals on the track, it’s connected and offered as a class with my YWCA) started a USATF team a few years ago. I never joined for many reasons but mostly I couldn’t figure out what the point of paying $50ish bucks to save $5 on a race entry…didn’t feel worth it. Then we gained sponsorship from our local Fleet Feet store (because the pandemic was rough was on the Y and our coach lost her personal training gig). Now we get 25% off everything, and you know, runners always need shoes.
So I joined the team, and it’s made me so much more connected to this community. I have to race 3 times a year, but I have built in friends - we’re all wearing the same shirt! I’ll go to other races to cheer on my teammates (while also getting a run in).
It’s hard to take AW’s (re: New Balance) statement on inclusivity and accessibility as genuine when the brand spent over $9 million (in 2024 alone) on solely republican candidates.
I say this as, what I think is uniquely, an American problem with the supreme court’s decision on Citizen’s United. Giving corporations the same rights as a person under the first amendment and allowing millions of dollars to be funneled into political campaigns by brands is only going to continue to erode our (the US’s) democracy.
I would love to get coffee and talk about this more. I enjoy your writing, thank you.
Running is so deeply personal that to consider branding a running community for the sake of getting something for free (the words I heard), seems like the greatest sellout.
I deliberately choose to run with a friend or two from time to time, and do not belong to a running group. Most of the time I run alone. I cherish both experiences. My “community” shows up in these moments, even when I run solo, as I often see other runners on my runs, and we wave and keep moving.
At events, the spark of community is also special, and I recognize my privilege to afford such luxuries. Brands that I love and brands I don’t use are always represented at these events and while I’m glad they’re there, I also know that it is mainly to create awareness and also to help support events, all to create new/more consumers.
We need the brands, don’t get me wrong, but we will quickly lose the personal connection to this sport if we fall prey to the commercial.
Thanks for the shout out, but bigger thanks for writing up your considered thoughts on all this. I don't know that there ever has to be one right answer for these sort of discussions, but I'm pretty certain that is essential that we ask the questions - not just of what others are doing, but how we act in relation to it all. Thanks for getting this chat going.
And not just running, but everything. Running, what we eat, how we spend our money, who we prioritise in our personal lives, etc etc
There definitely isn't just one answer. I certainly understand the privilege one must have to be able to curate their life perfectly (impossible!) without compromising one's ideals, but I do believe in wanting an end goal of beauty. With that always in mind, causing a little more thought, I think we can all at least get a little closer.
My main running group (we do intervals on the track, it’s connected and offered as a class with my YWCA) started a USATF team a few years ago. I never joined for many reasons but mostly I couldn’t figure out what the point of paying $50ish bucks to save $5 on a race entry…didn’t feel worth it. Then we gained sponsorship from our local Fleet Feet store (because the pandemic was rough was on the Y and our coach lost her personal training gig). Now we get 25% off everything, and you know, runners always need shoes.
So I joined the team, and it’s made me so much more connected to this community. I have to race 3 times a year, but I have built in friends - we’re all wearing the same shirt! I’ll go to other races to cheer on my teammates (while also getting a run in).
It’s hard to take AW’s (re: New Balance) statement on inclusivity and accessibility as genuine when the brand spent over $9 million (in 2024 alone) on solely republican candidates.
I say this as, what I think is uniquely, an American problem with the supreme court’s decision on Citizen’s United. Giving corporations the same rights as a person under the first amendment and allowing millions of dollars to be funneled into political campaigns by brands is only going to continue to erode our (the US’s) democracy.
That's exactly the kind of knowledge required to vote effectively with one's wallet.
It's worked with Target.
I would love to get coffee and talk about this more. I enjoy your writing, thank you.
Running is so deeply personal that to consider branding a running community for the sake of getting something for free (the words I heard), seems like the greatest sellout.
I deliberately choose to run with a friend or two from time to time, and do not belong to a running group. Most of the time I run alone. I cherish both experiences. My “community” shows up in these moments, even when I run solo, as I often see other runners on my runs, and we wave and keep moving.
At events, the spark of community is also special, and I recognize my privilege to afford such luxuries. Brands that I love and brands I don’t use are always represented at these events and while I’m glad they’re there, I also know that it is mainly to create awareness and also to help support events, all to create new/more consumers.
We need the brands, don’t get me wrong, but we will quickly lose the personal connection to this sport if we fall prey to the commercial.
Sometimes branding those communities allows them to flourish, but it's a situation where a community might never be able to return to unfunded ways.
It's a very delicate balance!
Let me know if you're in LA! Maybe a coffee *and a run.
I don’t get to LA often but now I’ve got another reason!