Run With Maud: The 2.23 #FinishTheRun Virtual Run

One year ago, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered.

It’s only been recently that runner safety issues have become prominent in discussions about running. But too often these safety concerns have focused primarily on (white) women, and glossed over the experiences of runners who are BIPOC. But as the public list of crimes and atrocities against BIPOC grew (and continues to grow) and the Black Lives Matter movement gained traction in the public consciousness in 2020, it soon became clear that the running community was not immune to social justice issues.

Trigger warning: the following paragraph includes details related to racial violence.

Ahmaud Arbery was a 25-year-old Black man who was shot while out for a run in his hometown of Brunswick, Georgia on February 23, 2020. Maud had been a standout high school football player and was known to stay fit and often ran around his suburban neighborhood. While out on a run, he was pursued by three white men (including a father and son) and was shot and killed. It took 74 days before any suspects were arrested, despite video evidence of the perpetrators shooting Maud with a shotgun.

The 2:23 Foundation was founded by Maud’s cousin Demetris Frazier and Maud’s former coach Jason Vaughn to advocate for justice for his murder. The foundation has recently turned its focus to providing scholarship and opportunities for future generations. On February 23, 2021 — the one-year anniversary of Maud’s murder — the 2:23 Foundation is hosting a virtual run. Runners are invited to run 2.23 miles in memory of Maud and to #FinishTheRun. The registration fee for the national virtual event is $23 and all proceeds go to a scholarship fund.

Additionally, many local groups have joined the movement to #RunWithMaud. Fleet Feet Carrboro/Durham and Together We Stand NC have organized a local virtual event. Registration is free with a recommendation to donate or purchase merchandise. All proceeds go to the People’s Alliance in Durham, NC which is dedicated to advocating for a just, equitable and inclusive community.

In addition to the virtual run, there are many opportunities to become involved and better educated on DEI issues related to running and the outdoors. The 2:23 Foundation is hosting several Instagram Live conversations from industry leaders throughout the day, and the Running Industry Diversity Coalition is currently open to “running brands, running retailers, and runners representing Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) who are working together to increase diversity within the running industry.”

Check out the links below for more information for the national and local events and for recommended resources.

2.23 #FinishTheRun Event Info:

• Commit to running 2.23 miles on 2/23/2021! Register for the national virtual run here: https://events.elitefeats.com/223run

  • It is organized by the 2:23 Foundation. The entry fee for each runner is $23 and all proceeds go directly to a scholarship fund that provides young men and women the opportunity to become future lawyers, local leaders, policymakers, and social engineers.

  • Want to support the foundation in other ways? Merchandise is available for purchase!

  • Hey NC Oiselle Volée! When you register, look for our team to join!

• Share your story! Fill out the form for the 2:23 Foundation to share why you run with Maud.

• Register for the local Fleet Feet Carrboro/Durham and Together We Stand NC virtual run here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Durham/Maud223VirtualRunWalk

  • Registration is free. The race organizers recommend a donation and/or merchandise purchase. Fleet Feet Durham has committed a $2.23 donation to Together We Stand NC for the first 100 participants who submit their miles in RunSignUp. Together We Stand NC is directing all donations from the event, t-shirt sales, and the Fleet Feet donation to the People's Alliance in Durham, NC. The vision of the People’s Alliance is a just, equitable and inclusive community where all people can thrive.

  • Merchandise is available here: https://www.strongerandfasterdurham.com/tws-merchandise

• Learn more about the 2:23 Foundation

  • Check out their Instagram account

  • Use hashtags #FinishTheRun and #223fdn

  • And check out their IG live events with industry leaders!

Recommending Listening, Reading, and Initiatives:

• “Together We Stand: Let’s Talk About Race” podcast by host Tyrone Irby (of Stronger and Faster Durham, NC)

  • Available on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, and Spotify

  • And follow Together We Stand NC on Instagram

• Join the Running Industry Diversity Coalition

  • And follow them on Instagram

• Read the “Ahmaud Arbery and Whiteness in the Running World” Outside article by Alison M. Désir

• Read the “2.23-Mile Virtual Run on 2/23 will Honor Ahmaud Arbery” Women’s Running article by Allison Torres Burtka

• Read the “Almost a Year Ago, Ahmaud Arbery Was Killed While Out on a Run. Let’s #FinishTheRun” article on Runner’s World by Andrew Dawson

• Watch the NBA on TNT interview with the 2:23 Foundation founders:

• And if you missed it last year, I recommend watching the NPR Code Switch video on How Running's White Origins Led To The Dangers Of 'Running While Black'

Are you participating in the 2.23 #FinishTheRun virtual run? Let me know in the comments and share your pics on Instagram!