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Alison Mariella Désir

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Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn't Built for Us Hardcover – October 18, 2022

by Alison Mariella Désir (Author)

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A searing exposé on the whiteness of running, a supposedly egalitarian sport, and a call to reimagine the industry

“Runners know that running brings us to ourselves. But for Black people, the simple act of running has never been so simple. It is a declaration of the right to move through the world. If running is claiming public space, why, then, does it feel like a negotiation?”

Running saved Alison Désir’s life. At rock bottom and searching for meaning and structure, Désir started marathon training, finding that it vastly improved both her physical and mental health. Yet as she became involved in the community and learned its history, she realized that the sport was largely built with white people in mind.

Running While Black draws on Désir’s experience as an endurance athlete, activist, and mental health advocate to explore why the seemingly simple, human act of long distance running for exercise and health has never been truly open to Black people. Weaving historical context—from the first recreational running boom to the horrific murder of Ahmaud Arbery—together with her own story of growth in the sport, Désir unpacks how we got here and advocates for a world where everyone is free to safely experience the life-changing power of movement.

As America reckons with its history of white supremacy across major institutions, Désir argues that, as a litmus test for an inclusive society, the fitness industry has the opportunity to lead the charge—fulfilling its promise of empowerment.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Portfolio
Publication date

October 18, 2022
Dimensions

6.3 x 0.97 x 9.29 inches
ISBN-10

059341862X
ISBN-13

978-0593418628
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From the Publisher

A searing exposé on the whiteness of running, a supposedly egalitarian sport...

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The stories (and histories) Désir weaves together are captivating, eye-opening, and often even uncomfortable in their raw honesty and personal perspective. For fellow Black folks, Running While Black provides a way to feel seen and understood. For non-Black people, this book offers a window into a world they will never experience and an opportunity to inspire empathy and action.” —SELFMagazine, Best Books of 2022

“Running While Black speaks directly to the anguish Black runners live with while running through a white supremacist world. Alison provides readers a behind-the-scenes view of what it is to be Black and a runner: constantly minimized, removed, and erased altogether. Her writing is thought-provoking and provides readers with inspiration to enact change.”
—Alysia Montaño, Olympian and six-time USA Outdoor Track and Field 800-meter winner

“In Running While Black, Désir deftly weaves together family histories, Black history, and Black running history to produce a powerful narrative of personal discovery. The quest to belong, to exhale, and to be free resounds off these pages. The act of running while Black is both freeing and risky; it is the breath and the gasp for air. This aptly named book invites us into that contradiction. Désir's journey—and her words—demonstrate the work of carving out space, of building community, challenging racism, and disrupting whitewashed industries. It compels us to lace up and join her on the road.”
—Amira Rose Davis, Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas-Austin, author of Can’t Eat a Medal and cohost of the podcast Burn It All Down

“Alison has been an amazing advocate and champion for diversity and holistic wellness in our sport. In Running While Black, Alison challenges us to acknowledge the significant obstacles to the concept of freedom of running for Black people and encourages us to pursue the powerful goals of a truly safe and inclusive sport. Alison’s personal journey, combined with her community and historical perspectives, are great vehicles for all of us to become more informed and empowered.”
—Meb Keflezighi, four-time Olympian and author of 26 Marathons and Meb for Mortals

“Running While Black shattered the ideals in which, for three decades, I held the sport in high regard for its inclusiveness. Luckily, every page inspired me to use the running stage to support a safer space for all to participate. Then maybe an entire nation could follow.”
—Deena Kastor, Olympic medalist and New York Times bestselling author of Let Your Mind Run

“Alison’s stories are vibrant and uplifting, leaving readers empowered to make real change in the running industry. This groundbreaking book is a must read for everyone, whether they run or not!”
—Alexi Pappas, Olympian, filmmaker, actor, and author of Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas

“Make no mistake, this book, this extraordinary account, will trigger those who have always had the privilege of an idyllic, nonracialized experience with the ‘universal, accessible’ sport of running. If this is you, I urge you to open the book, lean into the discomfort that will certainly come, and do some important learning and reflection about what could actually reenergize the sport of running as the most inclusive, welcoming, and diverse sport it has the potential to be.”
—Mirna Valerio, ultrarunner and author of A Beautiful Work in Progress

“I grew up as a competitive runner, and I truly believed that running was for everyone. But in reading Running While Black, I was startled and saddened to realize just how false that narrative was. Alison Mariella Désir weaves the eye-opening history of running in the United States and her experience as a Black woman throughout the book. History I have never heard, history that changes the stories I have been fed since I was a young girl. It makes me look at my beloved sport with a new lens, and it breaks my heart. The first step for all runners should be to read Running While Black.”
—Kara Goucher, two-time Olympian and author of Strong: A Runner’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You

“Run. Buy this book and read it as fast as you can. And then, like your favorite running loop, go over it repeatedly. It is monumental in its importance. Riveting in her[CC1] [DT2] story and style, Alison Mariella Désir challenges and inspires us to think deeply and play our part in a better, truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive sport and society.”
—Mary Wittenberg, former president and CEO of New York Road Runners, and president of League One Volleyball

“With the propulsion and investigation of a detective novel and the soul-tingling honesty of a great memoir, Running While Black will keep you turning pages until the wee hours, unraveling everything you thought you knew. If sport has ever been your teacher, if you call yourself a runner, if you believe in the power of running to unite us—you simply must read this book.”
—Lauren Fleshman, professional runner and author of Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World

“Running While Black by Alison Mariella Désir is a must read for anyone interested in running, the power of sport, racism, and mental health. She skillfully weaves the history of running with the reality of racism and racial restrictions in America while demonstrating how transformative running could be. Reading this book should encourage everyone to support running for everyone.”
—Richard Lapchick, PhD, human rights activist, author, founder of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, and director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport

About the Author

Alison Mariella Désir is an endurance athlete, activist, and mental health advocate. Currently cochair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a Run Happy Advocate for Brooks Running, and an athlete adviser for Oiselle, Désir is the founder of Harlem Run, a New York City–based running movement; Run 4 All Women, an organization that fundraises for social justice–focused nonprofits; and the Meaning Thru Movement tour, a speaking series featuring mental health experts and fitness professionals. A graduate of Columbia University with her bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, including a master of education in counseling psychology, Désir has been published in Outside magazine and contributed the foreword for Running Is My Therapy by Scott Douglas. Running While Black is her first book. Désir currently lives outside of Seattle with her son, Kouri Henri, and partner, Amir Muhammad Figueroa.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio (October 18, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 059341862X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593418628
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 0.97 x 9.29 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #338,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #118 in Track & Field Sports
- #503 in Running & Jogging (Books)
- #1,169 in Discrimination & Racism

Customer Reviews:
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Alison Mariella Désir

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Named by Women's Running as one of twenty women who are changing the sport of running and the world, 2020 Outsider of the Year by Outside Magazine, and by The Root 100 as one of the most influential African Americans, ages 25 to 45, Alison Mariella Désir is an endurance athlete, activist, and mental health advocate. Alison is the founder of Harlem Run, Run 4 All Women, and the Meaning Thru Movement Tour.

When Alison is not running, she is working to resolve and speaking passionately about issues related to women and girls, DEI and mental health. Her forthcoming book, Running While Black, exposes the whiteness of running, a supposedly egalitarian sport, and calls to reimagine the industry.

Learn more at alisonmdesir.com.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

214 global ratings

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Kristin

Great read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

Highly recommend this book (especially to runners!) After hearing Allison speak, I had to read this book. It is captivating and very informative.

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Heather

Exceptional, could not put it down

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is a very impactful book. The first few pages of the book match Running history milestones with events in Black American history. For me this was a powerful visual. As Desir states, “while Black Americans were fighting for equality, white people were discovering jogging.” Alison uses chapters of her book as a memoir and also to recount the amazing work she did as an activist starting Harlem Run. She also shares some key running history with Black running legends that have essentially been erased leading to the perception that running is a white persons sport. She has a very strong critic of the Boston Marathon and it’s exclusive and elitist policies. The entry times for qualifying are challenging and require you to be able bodied to complete them. The other way you can run is through fundraising ridiculously large amounts of money which is not accessible to everyone making the race extremely limiting to most of the population but even more so to Black Americans and POC. She has some interesting Strava research which shows how safer communities are more active- which does make sense, but it’s crazy how from Strava heat maps you can infer that. She shares her frustration from working with the running, outdoor and recreation industry and how little the executives invested in their own education on the history of racism in the United States and while wanting to support change were unwilling to get to phrasing which named “white supremacy”. This book is a compelling read, I appreciate that she shared the challenges of living in a white-centered world and the toll of that on her health and happiness. I could not put this book down, I feel that I am more culturally aware for having read it and can better support and advocate Black Athletes in the running community. I highly recommend this book!

7 people found this helpful

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Gary Corbitt

Raising-up Black Running History!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is an important book because it’s the first time the sport of long distance running is being critiqued from an African American perspective. Alison’s goal is to disrupt the running industry and advocate for racial justice. My father’s (Ted Corbitt) influence on the sport and my work to preserve running history is profiled in Chapter 12.

The book gives readers the facts on the influence the New York Pioneer Club (NYPC) has had on the sport, and how Black running history has been ignored over the years. Readers will also gain an understanding that Black athletic achievements in running date back to the 1880s.

A story that saddened me was to learn the reaction of Aliphine Tuliamuk after she viewed television coverage of her historic victory in the Women 2020 Olympic Marathon trials. History was made by both Aliphine and Sally Kipyego as they became the first African American women to make the Olympic team in the marathon. Aliphine after watching the coverage said the following:
“I cried the first time I watched the replay. I felt uncelebrated, like I wasn’t even visible.”

I recommend everyone in the running community read this story.

Best New Year Wishes!
Gary Corbitt
Curator: Ted Corbitt Archives
Historian: National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA)

10 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

This book is for everyone

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

As a 40-something white man, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. If you’re dorky enough to consider reading ANY book about running (like I am), you almost certainly love the sport and want as many people as possible to enjoy it. This book offers a valuable perspective on helping to make that happen.

A few notes:
A lot of nonfiction books feel like a chore to read, could easily have been distilled down to a blog post, and mostly exist to be signalers on a bookshelf – not this one. The author shares her life experience in a compelling way that makes you want to keep turning the pages. I don’t think it’s correct to call this book an “easy read” because racism is an inherently challenging topic, but there is value in every chapter and on every page.

For my fellow white people who get squeamish about race: this book is NOT about shaming white people! Fear not! This is a very candid and valid perspective on the many ways that white supremacy has ensnared the running industry in ways that we should all be aware of.

We need more voices like Alison’s in the running industry, and in the world, period. This book is well worth your time.

16 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Tremendous book and important read

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

I loved this book and, as a middle aged white guy who's run all his life, I learned so much from it. In fact, I went to see Alison speak when she came to LA, and I had her sign my book. There are so many road blocks for marginalized communities, and when you're not part of that community you just don't understand. This book helped me get a lot of issues that I was naive about. 10/10 would recommend for anyone.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Not just for runners; everyone needs to read

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022

Verified Purchase

AMD is saying all the things and everyone should take time to hear them. I made the mistake of getting the audio version. My usual MO in “reading” is downloading audio books then listening to them while I’m doing something else (dishes, dog walking, etc). I say mistake, because I can’t do *anything else* while listening to Running While Black. I started it the other day and had to quickly shut it down, because I instantly realized it was a “nothing else but this right now” kinda read. The book is combined personal memoir, data and stats compilation, and historical text which together is formula for a riveting read. Alison is a gifted writer and as it turns out, the audio version was absolutely the way to go. Hearing her narrate the book made it all the more compelling and personal. Run, walk, hop or roll to wherever you get your books and get a copy. Everyone will be better for it.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Running while Black

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

Such a thoughtful and most importantly educational truth. I’m so grateful that I was able to read this book and learn so much about the running a community to include the sad truths of exclusion. On the other hand, I am happy to learn of all the change agents that stand for truth!!! A must read!!!

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Top reviews from other countries

Vitoria Maria Nabas

Enlightenment

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

The honesty and clarity of Alison's writing touched me deep and with a pride. I share a deep concern for sisters, nieces, nephew's and rest of family but reading such conviction and commitment leads me to believe society can still grow. Thank you Alison

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