The following profile is a part of our Trails Are For Every Body Instagram series produced by ATRA board member Kriste Peoples. Photos by Benny Chester.
The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) celebrates trail running athletes at all levels of engagement and ability, and because the Trails Are For Every Body, each week we’re sharing the profiles of trail enthusiasts you might not otherwise know. If you’ve been enjoying these profiles, let us know! And if you’re an everyday trail running enthusiast who’d like to share your story with us, we’d love to hear from you, as well!
As we continue to celebrate everyday individuals who love the trails, this week we’re also acknowledging Out Trails, a growing trail community of LGBTQIA+ runners, founded by ultra runner Ryan Montgomery.
“I have such a beautiful relationship to trail running,” Montgomery said, “and I can guarantee you there are tens of thousands of others who are just like me that need this experience to not only learn more about themselves, but to understand that being in these environments is safe. And you need a safe community to facilitate that.”
Last summer, Ryan hosted more than forty runners at the inaugural Out Trails Camp. Benny Chester (they/them) was there.
Benny is a proud member of this growing community and they have a trail love story of their own.
“My favorite trail activities are running and hiking. Being on the trail, whether it be running or hiking, has impacted my life in numerous ways. One positive is that it’s helping me to remember my worth as someone in a different body. With every trail run I accomplish – big or small – I am faced with the beautiful reality that we all deeply matter.”
“I believe that the Trails Are For Every Body because they simply ARE. Does there need to be much more done to make this a reality for all? Absolutely, yes. The trails were made for us. All of us.”
Thank you, Benny, for sharing your trail love story with us! Read more about Out Trails in their newsletter!