January Newsletter

We are wishing everyone a happy 2024 as we enter our 5th anniversary year! We have grown immensely over the past five years and know that this milestone has been reached due to the dedication of everyone involved in RPL. As we enter this new year, we wanted to take some time to update you all on what’s been going on at RPL and what you can expect from us in the coming year.

A Few Reminders

The 2024 Everyone Runs Fund deadline is February 1, 2024, at 5 PM PST! This fund aims to help underrepresented runners achieve their run goals by providing financial and in-kind assistance. If you or someone you know is interested, be sure to apply in the next few days. We will be announcing the recipients in March! Learn more about the fund and apply here.

Exciting news, WE’RE HIRING!

We are currently accepting applications for a Digital Content Manager position. This part-time contract position will help create and manage our communication. Interested in learning more? Check out the full job description here. Applications are due by February 16, 2024.

Board of Directors

The new year is often a time for transition, as is true for our Board of Directors, who successfully elected a new Executive Committee at the end of last year. As we welcome RPL’s Founder, Vic Thasiah, into his new role of President, we wanted to thank Jess Rogers, RPL’s Immediate Past President, and Steve Efner, RPL’s former and present Secretary, for the tremendous work they have done in helping build and grow RPL. We are overjoyed that both Jess and Steve will continue to be active Board Directors. Below are a few words from RPL’s Founder, Vic Thasiah:

"Going on five years and counting, Jess Rogers (immediate past Board President) and Steve Efner (past and current Board Secretary) have been the top two volunteer leaders -- among many other amazing people -- in RPL's history. Jess has been out front leading our board of directors through the birth of her two wonderful children, while Steve has led our organizational development in the background through the birth of his wife's local dental practice.

Combined with full-blown careers, they both lead beautiful, inspiring, and committed lives of public service with joy, wisdom, and grace. They have the gratitude of the entire RPL community for all they've done and continue to do.

I'm looking forward to supporting the work of the RPL board and staff as the new board President. I'm very excited to help further realize the potential of so many great runners across the country dedicated to protecting the environment and shaping the future of our sport. We'll continue to do our best to represent runners and build runner power to protect the people and places we love." -Vic Thasiah

Thank you to Vic for his continued dedication to RPL and our work. Vic lives in Ventura, CA, and works as an environmental humanities professor at California Lutheran University. In addition to becoming the new Board President at RPL, he will continue to Chair the leadership team and the National Advisory Council and serve on the advocacy committee.

We are also excited to welcome Tia Bodington to the Board of Directors! Tia has worked as the Race Director of the Miwok 100K, Managing Editor of UltraRunning Magazine, and has served on the Western States 100 Board of Directors since 2012. We are so honored to have her on the board!

Our Board of Directors is excited and ready to take the next steps to continue our work at RPL.

The board’s first goal is to approve our 2024 update to our strategic plan, which will guide our work for the year ahead. We look forward to sharing more about our updated organizational goals in the coming weeks and months!

Trail Running Film Festival Committee

We are beyond excited to have teamed up with the Trail Running Film Festival (TRFF) to create and lead a film selection process for the 2024 Global Film Tour centered around our shared organizational values, including inclusivity, creativity, diversity, and adventure.

The Film Selection Committee consists of diverse leaders from the outdoor, film, and nonprofit sectors representing the trail-running community we desire. The committee has worked incredibly hard to develop the process being used to select films. We hope this work will help us connect with a broader and more diverse group of creatives showcasing and telling their stories.

Film Selection Committee members:

Verna Volker - Native Women Running

Nicole Amyx - Documentary Filmmaker and Editor

Zachary Friedley - Athlete and Executive Director, Mendocino Movement

Alison Marie Désir - Athlete, Activist, and Author of Running While Black

Wookie Kim - Legal Director, ACLU of Hawaiʻi

Nick Danielson - Filmmaker and Outdoor Arts and Recreation Board of Directors

Laura Cortez - Athlete and Co-Leader of Trailtinos

John Meadows - Director of Business Development, Run Specialty for Salomon and RPL Board of Directors

Stephen Efner - Executive Committee, RPL Board of Directors

Trent Banks - Aspire Adventure Running and Outdoor Arts and Recreation Board of Directors

If you are interested in hosting a screening of the Trail Running Film Festival, click here! Hosting a screening is also an excellent opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support a local organization, RPL, or the Film Grant through TRFF.

January Events

January 28th, Cardiff, CA: We are excited to partner with the Coastal Run Club of Cardiff and Patagonia for a group run filled with amazing people and community. Check out Coastal Run Club on Instagram for further details about the meet-up.

Eariler this month:

Women’s Wellness Retreat hosted by Ventura Trail Mamas: This past week, Ventura Trail Mamas hosted an event that joined a supportive group of trail running and hiking moms based out of Ventura. Our Managing Director, Kat Baker, led a workshop called Motherhood and Running (While Caring for the Lands we Run With).

Women’s Wellness Retreat hosted by Ventura Trail Mamas: This past week, Ventura Trail Mamas hosted an event that joined a supportive group of trail running and hiking moms based out of Ventura. Our Managing Director, Kat Baker, led a workshop called Motherhood and Running (While Caring for the Lands we Run With).

Kat shared her experience as a trail runner, working mom, and race director. She conveyed how all of this inspires her work with RPL, including being a good steward to the community, protecting and preserving lands with future generations in mind, and prioritizing finding time to take care of oneself. A sincere thank you to Ventura Trail Mamas for helping bring this amazing community of running moms together!

Before You Go

Thank you for your continual support as our organization expands its reach. We look forward to the year ahead and many meaningful miles shared on the trails!

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