The Trail Mix Fund, founded in 2021 by Renee Janssen of Go Beyond Racing, is one of the best examples of a grassroots initiative that addresses the lack of diversity in trail running.
White, affluent runners comprise the majority of startlines at trail races and the Trail Mix Fund suggests that one of the best solutions to diversifying startlines is for races to take more initiative inviting marginalized groups to their races by covering these athletes’ entry fees. The fund has already received over 142 applications since its inception.
The fund seeks to give all runners, regardless of background, equal opportunities to participate in trail racing. Trail Mix Fund applicants may apply to a list of races on the Trail Mix Fund website (see the eligible race list here), and chosen recipients are awarded with free entry into the races of their choice. There are currently over twenty-five eligible races located in six different states.
Central to the issue of diversifying our sport is the way races and race directors communicate with and make their participants feel welcome. The Trail Mix Fund envisions a sport where all runners are welcome in trail racing and actually takes initiative to show their commitment to this vision by awarding athletes in need with spots on the startline.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] Could you share one story of a recipient from this Trail Mix Fund that you found particularly moving?
[RENEE JANSSEN] There are too many to focus on just one. We’ve had single moms who can’t afford the race fees, but need and want the sport to help them cope and to be good examples for their kids. There are also many people of color who applied who were unsure if they really belonged, and then we see them at more and more races, definitely becoming a part of the community. This has been especially true for a lot of the non-binary and queer runners, who stopped racing when they transitioned or came out because they didn’t feel like they’d be accepted any longer and the Trail Mix Fund helped them feel like they should be there.
Support the Trail Mix Fund with a donation.
[TAYTE] How did you come up with the idea for the trail mix fund? Did you draw inspiration from any other organizations?
[RENEE] We came up with the idea for the Trail Mix Fund during the pandemic, when we began hearing from people who wanted to participate in our virtual races but had lost jobs and couldn’t afford the registration fees. We’d waive the fee for them but at the same time, others were coming forward offering to pay for strangers’ registration fees. Additionally, the Black Lives Matter movement was gaining a lot of momentum and we thought this idea could be a good way to also address the lack of diversity in trail running.
[TAYTE] Where does the funding for the Trail Mix Fund come from?
[RENEE] The funding comes from other runners. Anyone can donate to the Trail Mix Fund, via our website. Additionally, races that are included in the Trail Mix Fund take donations through their race registration process on Ultrasignup. Those donations get transferred directly to the Trail Mix Fund account and are what pays the registration fees for applicants who are approved.
[TAYTE] When reaching out to new partner races, do you find most are receptive to the ideas of the fund?
[RENEE] It hasn’t been hard to get other races to see the value of the Trail Mix Fund. The challenge is more in getting the word out to races who are already thinking about the diversity issue. There is zero cost for a race to become part of the Trail Mix Fund, so once we connect and explain how it works, they love the idea. We do require races to already be doing some work within their organization/race on diversity. They can’t just become a part of the Trail Mix Fund and say all is good and they are done. For example, they should already provide non-binary registration options or have information on their website about welcoming BIPOC runners.
[TAYTE] What is the vision for the future of the Trail Mix Fund?
[RENEE] We want to see more races participate in the Trail Mix Fund. There is a lot to do there still. As well as get more people to apply. Once we feel like we’ve accomplished those goals, then we can look at ways to expand how we can help diversify our sport’s starting lines.
[TAYTE] Speaking to race directors, what is one thing you think is most overlooked when it comes to providing an inclusive and inviting race environment?
[RENEE] I think a big challenge some race directors face is just believing that there is a problem. They’ll say things like, “Black people are welcome at my race,” but they aren’t actually doing anything to make that true. It doesn’t just happen because a race organizer thinks it. For example, do the volunteers think and act that way too? Or they’ll say that they can’t offer non-binary registration because their registration platform doesn’t provide it. That is not true any longer. Or they won’t provide podium prizes to the non-binary category because, “it isn’t fair.” Unfair to who? It takes time and work for many organizers to really gain a deeper understanding and empathy for these things.
[TAYTE] Are there any race organizations you’d like to give recognition to for their inclusivity of all participants in trail running?
[RENEE] Active Joe’s Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run is one of the Trail Mix Fund races, and Libby Jones, the owner, works really hard on diversity and inclusion. We got to know her just a bit these last six months or so, and she is amazing and believes strongly in that.
Trail Mix Fund FAQs
How do I know if I should apply for the Trail Mix Fund?
If you are unable to pay for race entry fees and/or are a part of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, the Trail Mix Fund might be for you. Apply here.
How do I get a particular race to become an “eligible race” for the Trail Mix Fund?
There are currently over twenty-five races on the eligible race list for the Trail Mix Fund, but if you don’t see a race you’d like to participate in on that list https://trailmixfund.org/apply/#races please reach out to race directors and have them contact the Trail Mix Fund here to become an eligible race https://trailmixfund.org/contact/
Who reviews Trail Mix Fund applications?
The Trail Mix Fund board of directors accepts and denies all applications. The current board members are: Yassine Diboun, Susan Tracy, Megan Bruce, Vinay Prasad, Stephanie Imig, Todd Janssen and Renee Janssen.
How do I donate to the fund?
Just click the link here! All donations are 501(3) C tax deductible.
Editor’s Note: Video from Go Beyond Racing’s 2021 Gnar Gnar event in Mt. Hood, Oregon.
