june 19-22, 2025
46K • 23K • 18k • 11K • Ascent • iron face
TRIPLE CROWN • IRON crown • KIDS RACE
INCLUSIVITY INITIATIVE
The Broken Arrow Skyrace is proud to announce the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace Inclusivity Initiative, presented in partnership with Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear, footwear and equipment.
​
The Broken Arrow Skyrace Advisory Council launched the initiative after extensive consultations with 20 BIPOC, LTBGQIA+, and Non-Binary run clubs from across the state of California. “We have always sought to create a welcoming environment for all runners,” said race founder Brendan Madigan. “This partnership is a bold, proactive step to make trail running more accessible to historically underrepresented communities, which is essential if we truly mean “all runners.”
​
With Arc’teryx’s generous support, nearly 100 athletes will receive complimentary entries, early registration access, products, and/or travel stipends, as well as the opportunity to participate alongside some of the world’s top trail runners at one of North America’s largest and most competitive trail and ultrarunning events.
​
“When we launched the Broken Arrow Skyrace, we set out to prove that you can have a world-class, uber-competitive, high-branded event that also celebrates the culture, traditions, and values that have always characterized the North American trail and ultrarunning scene, namely the celebration of every runner,” said co-race director Ethan Veneklasen. “Our growth suggests that participants enjoy the festival atmosphere and the opportunity to compete alongside the best in the world, but they also value the fact that Brendan and I greet each runner—first or last—personally at the finish line, ringing a massive cowbell. These details matter.”
​
“Being one of the highest-profile races in North America creates new opportunities, among which is the ability to set an example we hope other races will follow,” according to Veneklasen. Recognizing that there was a compelling cultural need to drive meaningful inclusivity measures in a sport traditionally dominated by white runners, the event invited five BIPOC running clubs to attend the 2024 Broken Arrow Skyrace. With Arc’teryx’s generous support, the race is expanding the initiative significantly in 2025.
Priscilla Rojas, Advisory Council Member: “One of my missions and passions is to share the joy of trail running and to make it more inclusive for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Serving on the Broken Arrow Skyrace Advisory Council gave me the opportunity to make an impact on a broader scale than I could ever imagine, for a race that is known across the world. I was able to help create opportunities for other BIPOC athletes to experience Broken Arrow by inviting run clubs with a mission of inclusiveness and who are making an impact in their communities. Showing up with their community and ability to connect with others helped create an even more welcoming environment on race day. I’m excited for year two, knowing we’ll see familiar faces as run clubs return in 2025, but also that we’ve expanded the list of run clubs joining, creating a culture of belonging and building a more inclusive community at Broken Arrow Skyrace.”
​
We are delighted to announce that the following running clubs have already confirmed their participation:
Black Men Run Trail & Ultra Running Fanatics (BMRTURF)
National Organization | @blackmenrunturf
TURF is for the runners that like to get off-road, occasionally put in super long miles, and don’t mind busting their asses every once in a while. Trail and ultrarunning requires a special kind of crazy and we want to continue to build upon this amazing community. Black trail and ultra runners have existed for as long as the sport has been around. TURF was born out of the idea that not only should the accomplishments of these runners be amplified, but that a space created specifically to develop and foster more Black athletes would help the sport flourish. The TURF organization was created 2021 in collaboration with Black Men Run to help athletes expand their running interest from road racing to trail running and experience a different feeling of excitement in competition and physical fitness.
Corremos Sacramento
Sacramento, CA | @corremossacramento
​
Latino-led run/walk club that aims to center the wellness and voices of people of color in the sport of running.
Dirt G’s
East Bay Area, CA | @dirt_gs
Dirt G’s began Spring of '24 as a group of women seeking safety and empowerment on the trails. It has since grown into a diverse, welcoming collective—centered on Womxn and BIPOC runners—reclaiming space in the outdoors and striving to reshape the trail running scene. From the start, our core mission has been to increase BIPOC representation in the trail running community.
While we uplift Womxn, all are welcome to join in alignment with our values of respect, inclusion, and community. As we continue to evolve, our commitment remains the same: to change the trail running scene, honor the lands we run on, and ensure that no one feels alone on the journey.
Forever Forward Run Club
Hayward, CA | @foreverforwardrunclub
Forever Forward Run Club (FFRC) is a diverse community of runners, walkers, and aspiring runners that meet weekly on Sundays in the east Bay Area in California. Our mission is to provide an inclusive safe space for our local community to congregate, run/walk, and fellowship with eachother on a weekly basis. Our club was built on the principle that everyone will fall down in life and can get back up and keep moving forward. This principle relies on the idea that resilence to move forward is rooted in support systems. FFRC is a support system that our community can rely on when they fall or fail. With this support, Forever Forward is made possible.
FFRC is committed to building a space that is for anyone and everyone. We have elders, adults, and kids that run with eachother on a weekly basis from different cultures and backgrounds. This is made possible because one of our club leaders, Cristian Morales, is USATF certified to coach. track and field for youth and is a proud father of 3. Parents can come to our weekly meetings, bring their children, and feel safe knowing that our group is welcoming to families. Our club is also home to many BIPOC runners and diversity is the foundation of our club. Everyone brings unique experiences to our club and makes it the unique space that it is today.
Fremont Run Club
Freemont, CA | @fremontrunclub
F:RC is an active lifestyle social club established in 2023 with a mission to cultivate personal enrichment through community engagement. We champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and organize local runs, visit other clubs, or rally for personal records around the Bay Area.
Stack Run Club
Freemont, CA | @fremontrunclub
SRC is a queer-friendly, inclusive community health program for folks of all sizes and abilities to meet new people and get their cardio in. SRC hosts monthly runs that encourage participants to connect with land, body, and community in Hayward. At the end of each run, SRC hosts a social at a local business.
Run Free Run Club
Freemont, CA | @fremontrunclub
Run Free Run Club is a community built on dedication, connection, and the shared love of running. Our mission is simple: to run free, support each other, and grow stronger both as athletes and as a family.
Track and Feels Run Club:
Track&Feels™ is a brand at the intersection of slow running and slow music, embodying a unique blend of soundtrack and running track. Fueled by feelings, mindful miles and no run too smol.
Hella Bae Run Club
Bay Area, CA | @hellabaerunning
Founded in 2019, Hella Bae Running is a Bay Area based female running crew that encourages and supports athletes of all levels and backgrounds with a focus on diversity and just staying active. Our mission is to bring visibility to diversity and representation in the broader run community while inspiring our community to take on challenges and reach goals in their own lives.
Currently at 250+ members, we host more than 15 community runs monthly throughout the Bay Area. Our runs are available for free to all members of the community regardless of gender or run experience. We hope you'll join us and #runwithbae!
Non-Binary Run Club
San Francisco, CA | @nbrcsf
Non-binary run club is celebrating, uplifting and providing a training community for trans and non-binary runners.
Nth Degree Athletic Club
San Francisco, CA | @nthdegreeac
We are athletes without limits striving to unlock our deepest athletic potential through group training and community support. You’ll find that we are a tight-knit group of athletes at various levels of fitness and various degrees of experience, creating an inclusive space for all athletes. Our goal is to provide a supportive community and athletic training with a focus on generating increased fitness. Our team is here to support each other in achieving athletic goals or just living a healthy lifestyle.
Renegade Running
Oakland, CA | @renegade_running
Renegade Running was built on the dream of a diverse running community that reflects the revolutionary spirit of Oakland, our hometown. We have created space for runners of all backgrounds and abilities and do our best to ensure everyone feels welcomed and supported.
As we grow, we are learning that while running is one common thread we all share, our power lies in the admiration and acknowledgment of who we are outside of running.
You, our community, are change-makers, parents, educators, healers. You are leading and grinding with hope in your own communities, your professional fields, your campuses, hospitals, and families. You… are renegades.
A renegade is motivated first and foremost by love and the belief that change is both needed and possible. And this motivation goes far beyond running. It is also the energy that pushes us to reflect on how we can make our tent bigger, make our connections deeper, and make our work more impactful.
For our next chapter, we will drop the word Running from our name as we work toward building bridges and making spaces for people that may not see themselves as runners. So, if you walk, cycle, hike, meditate, practice yoga, organize, teach, make art, or care for other people’s children, then you are a renegade and you belong here.
Running will always be at the foundation of what we do. And, we are poised to do so much more in the sport and in our communities, together.
Rizzo Run Club
LosAngeles, CA | @run_with_rizzo
Rizzo Run Club in Los Angeles was born from the Rizzo Run Club Podcast, led by Rizzo—a prominent figure in the LA running community. As a Los Angeles Marathon Ambassador and content creator, Rizzo travels the world running marathons and interviewing elite athletes.
Rizzo is leading a team from Los Angeles to the Broken Arrow race, documenting the journey to inspire more runners to participate in future events and expand awareness of the trail running community.
San Diego Trail Runners
San Diego, CA | @sdtrailrunners
San Diego Trail Runners is built on everyday people, coming together, to run on the trails. Since 2017 we have been running consistently on Monday evenings built on our motto of "No one left behind." The founding fathers of the group are veterans and used this motto as cornerstone to build an inclusive, safe trail running community where people are free to come run regardless of anything in their life.
We have Wed morning hike group, and also Thursday morning trail run as well added over the last 5 years.Come out to run with us!! It may not be easy, but it is always worth it.
Santa Mujeres Run Club
San Diego, CA | @santamujeresrc
Santa Mujeres Run Club was founded by two Latina women, "Chicanas," Priscilla and Virginia. The club is best known for their 1-mile & 5k run every Thursday in Balboa Park, located in San Diego, California. Santa Mujeres also holds a 5k in Barrio Logan every 2nd Saturday of the month, as well as a new distance in a new location each 4th Saturday of the month. They even hike sometimes so that everyone feels welcome to participate.
SMRC is led by women, and give BIWOC opportunities to lead in their space. They believe in making a change in their community by providing a free, safe space for BIPOC to run at any level, beginners and seasoned runners alike. SMRC has created a space where they support each other to reach for audacious goals.
SMRC regularly participates in unity runs with other BIPOC-led run clubs, including Black Men Run, Black Girls Run, Unity Runners, Badass Lady Gang San Diego, and more. SMRC loves running with friends from other running clubs and know it gives runners a chance to meet new people, including people that might not look like them. In February, SMRC participated in the Black History Month 5k/Run for Breonna hosted by Unity Runners.
Sonoma Valley Runners
Sonoma Valley, CA | @sonomavalleyrunners
Sonoma Valley Runners is more than just a run club; it's a supportive community that embraces diversity and inclusivity. Founded by Danny Contreras, our club brings together individuals of all ages and backgrounds who share a passion for running. Whether it's pounding the pavement or conquering new trails, we're united by our love for the sport and our commitment to supporting one another.
South Bay YMCA Trail Runners
Chula Vista, CA | @sbytrailrunners
We are a fun loving group located in Chula Vista, CA (San Diego County). Our purpose is all about running dirty, and giving back. We love running local trails, preferably hilly, and have runners of all levels that join us. When we're not running, we're supporting our fellow runners, and giving back to our local community. Every year we host a series of donation based runs full of raffle prizes and fun courses; all funds raised go back to local families, youths & seniors in need to be able to afford programs at our YMCA. You'll also find us volunteering at just about every trail race there is within San Diego County. We meet every Tuesday at 6pm during daylight savings time for a trail 5k or 10k, and you do not need to be a Y member to join us! Come run trails w/us!
Vallejo Run Club
Vallejo, CA | @vallejorunclub
Vallejo Run Club (VRC) was founded in September 2022 by Vallejo-born and raised Marcellus Brown. Easily identified on the streets of Vallejo by his neon shoes and signature VRC shirts and hats, Marcellus built VRC on a simple motto: "No runner left behind."
What started as a small group of OG Vallejo runners (and walkers) has grown into a diverse thriving community of over 70 members and counting.
At Vallejo Run Club, we're not just about running; we're about community, support, and shared victories. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or taking your first steps in the running world, Vallejo Run Club is a home for you.
Unseen Run Club
San Francisco, CA | @unseenrunclub
Running is not just about putting one foot in front of the other; it’s a journey of self-discovery, community, and pushing one’s limits. In the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Bay Area, a remarkable running crew has emerged, reshaping the running scene and fostering a diverse and tight-knit community. Founded in March 2023 by the visionary Justin, the Unseen Run Club is more than just a running group – it’s a movement.
An eclectic collective of runners representing all ability levels and backgrounds. Rooted in the idea of expanding running to people and areas normally unseen and overlooked by majority of running communities.
Urban Trailrunners San Diego
San Diego, CA | @urbantrailrunnerssd
Urban Trail Runners San Diego (UTRSD) was founded in 2018 to introduce people of all backgrounds and abilities to the joy of trail running on San Diego’s finest urban trails close to home. In doing so, UTRSD is committed to increasing environmental awareness and equitable access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities in these spaces.