Trail Running has a problem with diversity and we want to be a part of the solution.
Today, Threshold Sports is announcing a collaboration with Black Trail Runners, a community and campaigning group that seeks to increase the inclusion, participation and representation of Black People in Trail Running.
Founded by a group of runners with a shared goal, Black Trail Runners has taken the lead in driving change, co-founder Sonny Peart sees this collaboration as a great opportunity, “Threshold’s collaboration with Black Trail Runners sends a powerful message to the trail running community. We can do so much more to create a truly diverse and inclusive sport.”
A key element of the collaboration will see Threshold gather and share information on the number of Black runners taking part in events each year. This data will help Black Trail Runners as they aim to build a nationwide view of participation across the U.K. The current data from Threshold’s own event series highlights why this collaboration is so crucial:
- Of more than 8,000 participants on Threshold’s trail running events in 2021 5.5% identified as people of colour
- Of the 5.5% who identify as people of colour, only 0.6% identified as Black
- While 1 in 22 of the U.K. population is Black, only 1 in 167 participants on Threshold’s events are black
- With 94.5% white participants, Threshold events are as diverse as the U.K. was in the 1980’s
Today, Threshold is openly committing to taking action across their business, with a goal to make their events more representative of the diverse ethnic communities that make up wider society.
Nick Tuppen, CEO at Threshold Sports highlights the need for organisations to make tangible changes “It is clear that Threshold’s trail events do not represent the diverse nature of the U.K. This collaboration is a key step on a journey to ensuring our events are welcoming to anyone regardless of their colour. We have a long way to go, but we believe we can cover the distance much faster by working together with organisations like Black Trail Runners.”
Threshold and Black Trail Runners have identified three key areas of focus, including:
Inclusion
Threshold will include Black Trail Runners in key discussions related to diversity, aiming to develop a better understanding of the barriers that are leading to lower levels of participation amongst the black community.
Representation
Threshold recognises that their communications can do a better job of representing diverse communities, allowing those from ethnic backgrounds to identify with their event series and encourage participation from a wider community.
Participation
Threshold’s long-term goal is to see levels of participation on our events that align with national figures. To do this our collaboration with Black Trail Runners will look at key projects to support increased participation including the provision of free places to encourage those new to trail running.
As part of Threshold’s ongoing commitment to ensuring their events are inclusive and representative of ethnic minorities communities, Threshold will be launching a number of key projects which also address the under representation of people of colour, including the support of Black Trail Runners ‘21 in 21’ campaign, which Rachel Dench, co-founder sees as a great opportunity to improve representation, “We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Threshold Sports on our ‘21 in 21’ campaign. We can’t wait to see 21 or more black people on the trails at Dulux London Revolution Trails.”
Threshold’s collaboration with Black Trail Runners is part of a ongoing project to improve diversity and inclusion across the organisation and wider events industry as a whole. Any community groups or organisations that would like to be involved in supporting this project, or would like Threshold’s support in their campaigns to improve Trail Running for ethnic minority groups should contact Calvin Cox, calvin.cox@thresholdsports.co.uk
