Do we need HR for run crews?

The Berlin group, Outrun the Patriarchy is trying to make the running world safer with an anonymous reporting tool

The run crew landscape can feel like the Wild West.

Crews are often started by someone who just wanted to make friends by running from a bar or cafe. If they’re ever made at all, any regulations and codes of conduct can be communicated months, if not years down the line. Usually after an unsavory incident leaves the social club’s hierarchy scrambling for the right thing to do.

A Berlin collective called Outrun the Patriarchy is hoping to formalize the run crew world with an anonymous reporting tool called the Whistle Runner.

Following the post-Covid running boom that has seen double-digit increases in run crew participation every year, there are more people running in groups than ever before. As with anything, where there are people, there are problems between people, and as the number of runners has increased, the incidents become more plentiful.

Many newer run clubs and crews are helmed by runners who aren’t trained coaches so aren’t part of the existing infrastructure. With more formal institutions, such as running in college or with a club that’s part of UK Athletics, systems are in place. This means many crews haven’t even got insurance.

Run crews have no HR department to speak of in the case of a personnel problem, and community policing often boils down to who has the most power. And when five-figure brand endorsement deals are involved, it makes sense that trouble is often brushed under the carpet.

As restlessness about behavior at run clubs bristles to the surface, the Whistle Runner looks to solve that. I spoke to Anne-Cécile Picardo and Kathi Hoffmann – who make up Outrun the Patriarchy alongside Julia Brasch – about their plan.

I first spoke to Cécile in April after a social media post shared her frustration about how brands were interacting with Berlin crews, and how the mostly male crew leaders weren’t really promoting inclusion with more than words among many other things. She explained her plans for the Whistle Runner to me then, but she hadn’t yet put anything into action.

Alongside Kathi, she had recently organized the first event for Outrun the Patriarchy: a run through Berlin on International Women’s Day (March 8th), which is a bank holiday in Berlin (and in Berlin only). Those 200 women were aiming to reclaim their space in the public sphere, but it was a simple demonstration.

Kathi, who has been a key organizer in Berlin’s running community for over a decade, explains how, “there’s no way to do winter training in Berlin unless you have a community to protect you.” By and large, running is a solo activity that takes place in public, and so women who run challenge patriarchal ideals much more than those in team sports.

“We can raise awareness on the topic but nothing changes,” says Kathi ruefully. “Or it changes very, very slowly with only the people that actually care.”

That was an issue that came up from my panel in August. We were discussing being a better ally for women, and a miniscule number of men came. Those men in the room were not the ones whose mindsets needed to be changed.

When I saw that the Whistle Runner was launched at the Berlin Marathon in September, and that it had the support of SCC, the race organizers of a World Marathon Major, it felt like real action. It felt different.

What exactly is the Whistle Runner?

A simple online form that uses an existing government-compliant whistleblowing platform for reporting incidents in the running world. Those reports are sent to an independent board of runners

What is the Whistle Runner hoping to help highlight?

• Abuse of power

• Violence (physical, sexual, psychological)

• Discrimination (racism, sexism, queerphobia)

• Copyright infringement

In my decade-plus running with crews, I’ve seen all of this first-hand. If you’re in and around crews, you likely have as well. It’s human behavior, plain and simple, and runners are not above that.

How does the Whistle Runner work?

If you experience one of those things, whether you’re at a crew run, a race, or a brand event, you can go online and log an anonymous report on the Whistle Runner.

• Describe the problem

• Identify what type of issue you have

• Send it in with a password, e-mail address, or nothing at all

Then what?

The information is stored online completely anonymously. The case is reviewed by the board, and the next necessary steps are made, whether that’s getting in touch with a crew, a race, or a brand.

“We will find someone to contact and send this report,” explains Kathi. “What we want to do in the future is have partnerships to make an awareness team that will be open to this feedback and take it seriously.”

Who is the Whistle Runner for?

It’s for everyone. Even though the group is battling the patriarchy, it’s not just for women. It’s for highlighting bad behavior in the social running situations that have ballooned in popularity, but it’s also for creatives who see their work stolen within the running industry.

While there is a police presence at city races, for instance, that is simply less possible at trail races, which is also a rapidly growing sector. Ultimately, a race that encourages reporting incidents is better than one that doesn’t. Even the Berlin Marathon didn’t encourage incident reporting until this year.

Why is the Whistle Runner good?

• With enough documentation, patterns of behavior can be identified.

• Trust in the institutions will grow, whether it’s a crew, race, or event.

• Social spaces will ultimately be made safer.

Currently, there are a hundred stories about people behaving poorly but still being welcome in the run community. A key issue is that people don’t know not to welcome them. A lot of the behavior isn’t formally documented. It’s gossip.

The goal is to shine a light on unsavory behavior, and formalize a code of conduct.

Can’t the Whistle Runner be abused?

Of course. Early conversations with (mostly male) crew leaders have had issues.

“This is not a tool to make you miserable,” Cécile promises. “The issue we are facing with men, is every time we explain the tool, they say, ‘They’re going to point out my mistakes.’ This feedback isn’t to put you into the ground. It’s to help, but they want to kill the idea.”

This isn’t cancel culture. It’s consequence culture, which brings up more questions than I’d like about those opposing it.

“Since we launched Outrun The Patriarchy, the reactions have been… intense,” laughs Kathi. “From people cheering to others feeling challenged. And that’s okay. Change always starts with discomfort.”

And what of the people saying the Whistle Runner isn’t necessary? If there really aren’t any problems, there’s no reason not to implement the program.

How can implementing the Whistle Runner help you?

If your local run crew advertises that it has signed up to be part of the network, and the form is available for its community, it’s signaling a safe space. Just like a business advertising its B Corp certification, being a Whistle Runner-endorsed crew gives participants that peace of mind that processes are in place for the safety of the community.

While the lack of a framework might attract some, I’m of the firm belief that the best games are the ones with the clearest rules in place. You can still meet at your favorite bar, but just as you need age verification to get served alcohol, things like the Whistle Runner will make every run event more enjoyable for all.

Get your run crew to sign up. Get your local race directors to commit to implementing the Whistle Runner. I want brands to ensure their activations use original material and that they’re providing a welcoming space for all.

If there is genuine desire to make the running world better, it’s an easy choice. These may be uncomfortable conversations, but it’s time to see run leaders lead.

Links

• Outrun the Patriarchy [WEB] [EMAIL]

• The Whistle Runner [WEBFORM]

Housekeeping

MY BOOK - I wrote a book called This is Running and you can read about it here. Or go to these websites to read about it (pre-order it).

USA - Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop US
UK - Amazon UK | Waterstones | Bookshop UK
Canada - Amazon CA | Indigo
Germany - Amazon DE

BUY ME A COFFEE - If you thought this story is important reporting, you can upgrade your subscription or you can send me a tip right here.

SHARE - Send this to the captains of your local run crew and see if they’ll sign your community up to the Whistle Runner.

COMPETITION - You can win a $100 Janji gift card once a month if you’re a supporter of Running Sucks. Amazing deal.

COMMUNITY - Instagram | Strava

Thanks for reading,
Raz x