Interview With Jake Fedorowski About Non-binary Inclusion In Trail Running

Trail running is a predominantly white, male-dominated sport, yet an increasing number of voices in our community have been making concerted efforts to diversify and unite our sport. A few examples from the past year include, Addie Bracy hosting an LGBTQ running retreat at Mount Saint Helens, collegiate athlete Nicholas Turco founding the Colorado Athletics Visibility in the NCAA, Mikah Meyer organizing an incredible journey to all of the national parks service sights to “be the gay adventurer I never saw when I was growing up,” and professional runner for Brooks Running Joe McConaughy (and 2022 Cocodona 250 champion) launching the All In Trail Coaching Scholarship geared towards mentoring underserved communities and youth with trail running coaching and guidance.

In my most recent interview with Jake Fedorowski, non-binary inclusion consultant and advocate, we discuss Fedorowski’s experience as a non-binary athlete in the trail running community and ways they have been furthering inclusion of underrepresented groups in trail running. Fedoroski and a coalition of non-binary athletes have published “An Open Letter To The Trail and Ultra Running Community,” which aims to share a message of inclusivity for brands, runners, race directors, volunteers and spectators in the trail and ultra running space.

[TAYTE POLLMANN] Your letter calls on race directors, sponsors, participants, registration platforms, vendors and spectators to make changes. Why is it important that change is made across the entire trail running community and not just small subsets (ex: ONLY race directors, ONLY runners, etc.).
[JAKE FEDOROWSKI] The gender binary is prevalent in the running industry, including the trail and ultra running community. It’s built into the systems that manage and time participants, it shapes how we interact with each other (participants, spectators, and race organizers), and it is assigned to certain spaces (restrooms) and products (apparel). In order to be inclusive of non-binary individuals, all aspects of the industry must progress.

[TAYTE] You are the founder of RUNN+, a community for non-binary athletes to exist, participate, advocate, and represent. Tell us more about RUNN+ and your inspiration for founding it? Anyone else involved that you’d like to mention?
[JAKE] On the first anniversary of my initiative to further the inclusion of non-binary athletes in the running industry, I was looking for a way to expand and connect the community of non-binary athletes around the country and around the world. I was having a conversation with Erin Vancellette (they/she) about the next phase of the movement and the light bulb went off. We needed a space for all of the incredible non-binary athletes I’ve met over the last year to connect and advocate together. The focus of this movement has been on normalizing the existence of those at the intersection of the non-binary experience and the running industry. Invert the two, and you end up with the acronym for Run Beyond (RUNN+).

[TAYTE] I had the pleasure of hearing you speak on a panel about LQBTQ+ inclusion at the 2022 US Trail Running Conference. What did it mean to you to speak on this panel?
[JAKE] I was honored to be invited to speak on that panel. It was one of many important conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion that took place. I will say that as my advocacy work makes its way into the trail and ultra running community, the impostor syndrome has only become louder. Most of my experience has been in road running, but that’s only because space has not yet been created in the trail and ultra running community for people like me. That is exactly why this open letter was written. We exist and we want to participate.

Jake Fedorowski

[TAYTE] One thing that stands out in your message for the trail running community is to not make assumptions (the way we dress, the way we talk, act, etc.). How do we break practices and habits that lead to wrong assumptions about others?
[JAKE] This is something everyone can start practicing immediately. Many people don’t consciously think about gender because they have been raised in a world that affirms their identity. For those whose gender identity is constantly being questioned, delegitimized, or attacked, we cannot stop thinking about it. I challenge those who have never had to worry about being harassed or excluded because of their gender identity, to be more open minded and refrain from making assumptions when interacting with others. Don’t assign someone pronouns or a gender identity based off their name or appearance. Know that people exist beyond the gender binary of men and women, and everyone’s journey is personal and complex. Instead of making an assumption, ask a question.

[TAYTE] As a whole, I find the trail running community to be a welcoming place for all types of people. Why is the trail running community still lacking in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusion? What barriers have been in place that need to be overcome?
[JAKE] It’s welcoming for certain people. For many in the queer community, especially those who are non-binary, there are two areas that require attention. The systems, policies, and procedures are up first. Typically, when registering for races, participants have to select between a men’s division and a women’s division. Where do non-binary participants fit into that equation? If a division is created for them, is it reflected as such in the results? Are there policies that support their entry? Think about all the additional instances where the gender binary is present: apparel, restrooms, awards, prize money, etc. Beyond the tangible systems, policies, and procedures, the culture also needs to change. Creating space for the queer community, or any underrepresented community for that matter, is one thing. The real challenge is establishing a culture that affirms said communities.

[TAYTE] As someone who is not a part of the transgender community, but who does have a desire to make this trail running community as inclusive as it can be, what is the most important thing I can do?
[JAKE] When it comes to participating in races without a non-binary division, you can be an ally by asking the race organizers why they have yet to do so. Provide them with this letter or send them to nonbinaryrunning.com. When it comes to participating in races that have a non-binary division, you can be an ally by not making assumptions about non-binary participants (or any participant for that matter). Instead, engage with them, learn about their story, and celebrate their existence. All anyone ever wants is to be seen and heard as their authentic self.

Jake Fedorowski

[TAYTE] When it comes to making changes to large issues such as DEI (issues that are societal and not just trail running specific), one of the main issues I see is always looking for an “easy” solution. For example, it’s easy to say that if we add “non-binary” to our race registration platforms then we feel like we’re making a difference. Could you speak to what we need to be doing to make real change and not just settling for the low-hanging fruit?
[JAKE] Lots of race organizers will add a non-binary registration option and think the work is complete. What they don’t realize is that by adding that registration option, they are inviting non-binary participants to their event. They now have a responsibility to make sure the non-binary participant experience is a positive one, and not negative. They do this by making sure the changes in the letter are implemented. Some can be done in the short term and with little assistance, while others need more time, support, and resources. This work will not happen overnight, but it is worth it. By thinking critically about non-binary inclusion, you begin to think more critically about the inclusion of all identities, therefore making your event even better for all participants. Why wouldn’t one want to move in that direction?

[TAYTE] From your experience, who is paving the way for change already in the trail running community (athletes, race organizations, etc.)? How can others learn from what’s already being done?
[JAKE] The nine other co-authors of this letter. They are some of the bravest and most authentic humans I’ve ever met. They continue to inspire me, both as an advocate and as an athlete. I also recommend checking out the work that Leia and Coleen are doing with Team Sparkle Productions!

READ THE OPEN LETTER!

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