s6e2 Who Gets to Run Freely? with Alison Mariella Désir author of Running while Black
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Running is often described as simple. You put on your shoes, step outside, and go. But for many runners, movement is shaped by safety, identity, and belonging. In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, we sit down with Alison Mariella Désir to explore what freedom of movement really means and why running is never just about pace or miles.
Alison is the author of Running While Black, the founder of Harlem Run, a mental health therapist, and the host of a PBS series highlighting Black and Brown voices in outdoor spaces. Her work challenges the idea that running exists separately from social systems and lived experience.
During the conversation, Alison explains that freedom of movement goes far beyond access to sidewalks or trails. For Black and Brown runners, stepping outside often involves constant awareness of surroundings, perception, and safety. These realities are not new, even if more people are only beginning to recognize them now. Running can still be joyful and empowering, but it is never neutral for everyone. podcast-episode-with-alison
Alison also shares how running became a lifeline during a period of depression and ultimately led her to create Harlem Run. She founded the group to be intentionally inclusive, welcoming walkers, run-walkers, and runners of all paces. Harlem Run was built around community, not competition, and designed to serve the neighborhood it moves through. Years later, it continues to thrive, proving that sustainable run communities are built through care, leadership, and shared values.
The episode also explores running as a “third space,” a place that exists outside of work and home where people can connect, be present, and build meaningful relationships. Alison emphasizes that inclusivity requires honesty. Saying “everyone is welcome” only matters if the structure of a group truly supports different abilities, identities, and experiences.
Beyond running, Alison discusses her work in mental health and media. Her PBS series highlights the long history of Black and Brown people in outdoor recreation, challenging stereotypes about who belongs in these spaces. As a therapist, she brings curiosity and reflection into her work, helping people better understand their own patterns and stories rather than pushing quick fixes.
The conversation closes with a call for accountability within the running industry. Alison challenges brands, race organizers, and leaders to examine who holds power and who is missing from leadership roles. Allyship, she explains, starts with curiosity but must lead to action. Representation matters not just in marketing, but in decision-making and access to opportunity. podcast-episode-with-alison
This episode is a reminder that running is about more than training plans. It is about safety, community, and the freedom to move through the world with dignity. When we listen, reflect, and act with intention, we create running spaces where more people truly belong.
Listen to the full episode of the Running Explained Podcast to hear Alison’s story and insights in her own words
What They Discuss
What “freedom of movement” really means and why running is not a neutral experience for everyone
How identity, safety, and perception shape the experience of Black and Brown runners
Alison Mariella Désir’s path to long-distance running and how it became a lifeline during depression
The founding of Harlem Run and why intentional inclusivity matters more than pace or performance
How run clubs can build genuine community instead of performative inclusivity
Running as a “third space” that fosters presence, connection, and belonging outside of work and home
The role of leadership, mentorship, and representation in the running industry
What accountability and allyship should look like beyond social media statements
The importance of curiosity, empathy, and action when learning about experiences different from your own
How Alison’s PBS series highlights Black and Brown history and participation in outdoor recreation
Why joy, rest, and continuing to move your body matter even in heavy or uncertain times
Sound Bites
“Movement isn’t neutral. Who you are changes how safe it feels to step outside.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Freedom of movement is about more than access. It’s about how you’re perceived when you’re moving.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“For many people, running isn’t just exercise. It’s what saves their life.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“I didn’t start Harlem Run to build a fast group. I started it so people would feel like they belonged.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“If you say everyone is welcome, your structure has to actually support everyone.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Running is a third space. It’s not work, it’s not home, and that’s why it matters.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Curiosity and empathy go much further than pretending we all have the same experience.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Representation isn’t just about marketing. It’s about who holds power and who gets opportunities.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Allyship starts with learning, but it only matters when it turns into action.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“You don’t wait for life to change. You have to participate in it.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Trying something new doesn’t get easier. You just get stronger.” podcast-episode-with-alison
“Community isn’t built around sneakers or brands. It’s built around people.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Alison Mariella Désir
03:31 Freedom of Movement and Safety in Running
06:26 Allison's Journey to Running and Community Building
10:27 The Impact of Harlem Run and Inclusivity in Running
16:08 Understanding Surveillance and Safety in Running While Black
19:12 Empathy, Curiosity, and Conversations about Race
23:00 Allison's PBS Show: Out and Back
29:45 Climbing Kilimanjaro and Community Empowerment
34:07 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action
36:45 The Role of Accountability in Achieving Goals
38:33 The Therapeutic Journey: Insights from Therapy
46:55 Accountability and Allyship in the Running Community
54:10 Empowerment and Community Engagement
Alison Mariella Désir is multi-talented: a founder, a doer, an activist, a connector, a visionary and an unapologetically straightforward communicator with a passion for movement, mental health, and racial equity. Alison got her start in the running and outdoor industry unintentionally, after seeing a Black friend train and complete a marathon. Inspired, Alison went on to run her first marathon and discovered that she had found a powerful tool to manage her depression. She’s been working to share the transformational power of running and movement ever since.
Website - https://alisonmdesir.com/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/alisonmdesir/?hl=en
Connect with Amanda and Nick:
Instagram:
Amanda - @amanda_katzz
Nick - @nklastava
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About Your Hosts
Amanda Katz is a full-time fitness professional; a certified personal trainer, RRCA certified run coach and serves as a group fitness instructor specializing in indoor cycling, treadmill running and total body conditioning formats at Equinox in New York City. She’s a marathoner, lover of distance running and lifting heavy. Her philosophy is based on the notion that all bodies deserve a fitness experience without guilt or shame. She approaches her craft with humor, real talk and ultimately, wants her clients feeling strong and more capable in their bodies through movement.
Nick Klastava is CEO of Running Explained and started running back in 1996 and has been competitively running for 26 years now with a brief break in his 20’s. His spark for running came back in High School, being a part of a team and finding a sport that brought out the best in himself. He ran competitively in college for Monmouth University in New Jersey after college he took 8 years off from running and thought he was done forever. After moving to Maryland in 2010, Nick found his spark again with running and found a new outlook on running with less pressure and less emphasis on the numbers and broke all of his college PR's by age 38.
Nick lives just outside Baltimore, Maryland, and his favorite thing about coaching is to unconditionally support runners and their journeys.
With Coach Amanda Katz & Nick Klastava, you’re getting more than just two coaches! You’re getting mentors who understand the pressures, challenges and ups and downs of navigating running and life. They’ve been in your shoes, struggled with comparison and perfectionism, but grew through the noise to help you find a sustainable, enjoyable path to becoming your best; mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Through Running Explained, We offer training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, under-fueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.
📲 Learn more at RunningExplained.com
📢 Follow on Instagram: @runningexplained
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