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March Newsletter


It has been a busy month over here at RPL. We wanted to share a bit about we’ve been up to and what to expect in the coming weeks and months! As always, our continued growth wouldn’t be possible without YOUR support!

Staff Updates

"Kat's development of relationships on behalf of RPL across a wide range of diverse partners in the running and environmental space -- BIPOC, government, corporate, nonprofit, etc. -- has been particularly remarkable, especially as we seek to broadly represent runners in the United States," says board president Vic Thasiah. As the RPL board starts to see to the implementation of its new strategic plan, it looks to Kat as the organization's new executive director to lead the way.

Everyone Runs Fund: 2024 Recipients

  • Mensah Bey: “In 2021, I joined Black Men Run's San Diego Chapter and fell in love with the accountability and fellowship. Since moving to California, running has become a true part of my identity and well-being. Now, I run for clarity, curiosity, and adventure. I do still love fast times though!”


  • Candace Gale: “I remember back when I first started running, and my auntie Nancy was a big influence on me. I was thinking of my early days of running and it makes me think how far I've come. I've been a runner my entire life, a passion inherited from my father's family of avid runners. I began at six and have never stopped.”


  • Mauricio Zuniga: “In 2022, I joined a local running club (Oakland Track Club), and so many friendly people invited me on different types of running activities. They were inspiring enough to help me take on my first half marathon. I finally felt what it was like to be patient and relax during an activity.”

Policy and Advocacy Updates

Policy and advocacy work is a vital part of what we do at RPL, something we are excited to start sharing more about. Here’s what we’ve been up to in recent months:

  • RPL drafted and submitted Comments to the EPA Rule regarding Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems. As the country’s leading voice advocating for the interest of runners in national environmental policy, RPL supports this proposed rule as an important initiative that will protect the health of runners, safeguard our public lands, and help mitigate the climate crisis. See our full letter here.


  • RPL signed onto 30x30 related letters to both the House and Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee. These letters, drafted by the Conservation Lands Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, urged increased funding for the Bureau of Land Management and the BLM's National Conservation Lands and Cultural Resources accounts in the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior appropriations bill. View those letters here and here.


  • RPL signed on to an NGO Community Letter to thank the EPA and President Biden for finalizing strong methane standards for the oil and gas industry. Find this letter here.

Opportunities to Run for RPL

Wander Project: We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Wander Project to bring you charity bibs for six trail races in 2024! A charity bib acts as a free entry into one of our partner events for helping raise awareness and funds for our organization. Check out what events benefit RPL here.

Denver Colfax Marathon: RPL is also an official charity that runners can raise money for at the Denver Colfax Marathon. Race weekend takes place May 18-19, so it's time to start training! Click here to register for the marathon.

Thank you, Chuckanut!

A few weeks ago, members of the RPL team headed up to Bellingham, WA, to race at the 30th running anniversary of the Chuckanut 50k. It was lovely meeting so many RPL supporters at the event and spreading the word about our work. Thank you to the Race Director for making RPL a beneficiary of the race and to all the volunteers who made the event so special. If you want to raise awareness and support RPL through your event, contact us here!

COMING UP

Colorado Trail Work Series: We will be starting this year’s trail work series in Denver, CO! This marks our second year of trail work in Colorado as we bring together runners to be stewards of the lands we run with. Come learn about the geological, ecological, and cultural importance of our surroundings while we work on trail maintenance projects. Sign up to volunteer here!


A massive thank you to our Title Sponsor of the Trail Work Series - Athletic Brewing's Two for the Trails Grant Program. Their support helps make this work possible!

TRFF: The Trail Running Film Festival has officially kicked off! We want to thank TRFF for making RPL the official Non-Profit partner of this year’s film festival and continue to acknowledge the efforts of the film review committee. This year, two showings of the film tour will directly support Runners for Public Lands. We are excited to welcome sponsors and partners to both events!

We will have some fantastic raffle items at each event. Thank you to event sponsors for help making these events happen!

Press & Other Events

  • Group Runs: We had another great run in San Diego with Patagonia Cardiff, Coastal Run Club, and the local coffee vendor in Rosehill. Thank you to everyone who showed up. A reminder to hit the trails every last Sunday of the month with Patagonia & Coastal Run Club for a scenic run supporting RPL.

  • Race Director Master Class: Mastering Land Management Relationships and Permits: Check out this free master class, part of the RD Master Class webinar series, hosted by the US Trail Running Conference. This virtual event occurred on March 26th, but you can still register to watch it here.

  • YouTube Channel: We relaunched our Youtube Channel and hope to bring you more visual content over the next year. Be sure to follow us here.

  • STAY TUNED for an article in the April issue of Running Insights magazine talking about RPL!

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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