Sabrina Pace-Humphrey tells Jessica Lauryn Cotter how running transformed her life and led to her founding Black Trail Runners.
In recent years, the wellbeing industry has gained massive traction, with a particular focus on the profound impact that physical activity has on both our mental and physical health. Among the many forms of exercise available, running stands out as a cornerstone practice embraced by people of all ages and fitness levels.
Running is often more than just a form of exercise-it’s a tool for mental and physical wellness, a way to clear your mind, improve your mood, and stay healthy. In recent years, the conversation around running has grown, particularly when it comes to its benefits for mental health, physical fitness, and the sense of community it fosters. For Sabrina Pace-Humphrey, a trail runner and founder of Black Trail Runners, the sport has a much deeper significance-one that transcends personal fitness goals and touches on the broader cultural impact. She founded Black Trail Runners in 2020 to address the lack of representation and participation of Black people specifically women to provide a supportive community for Black runners in trail running. It is a national community in the UK, not just London wide featured on the website https://www.blacktrailrunners.run with presence on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook.
Sabrina’s journey into running was not a straightforward one. Growing up, she wasn’t immersed in running culture. However, after struggling with mental health issues and facing the pressures of life, with no qualifications, and as a young mother struggling with post-natal depression, she turned to running as a form of self-care and therapy. “Running became my therapy,” Sabrina shares. “It was a way to reclaim my peace and clear my mind. I started running because I needed to find something that could help me manage the stress of daily life, and I quickly realised how powerful it could be.”
Mental Health Benefits: A Lifeline for Emotional Wellbeing
Sabrina’s personal story aligns with the well-documented mental health benefits of running. Studies have shown that running, much like other physical activities, triggers the release of endorphins-our body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. For Sabrina, the rhythmic motion of running offered not just physical benefits, but an emotional release. “Running is my meditation,” she says. “It allows me to disconnect from the world and just focus on my breath and my movement. It’s where I can sort through my thoughts and regain clarity.”
The stress reducing effects of running are profound. The act of running, especially on trails, offers a form of mindfulness that helps to minimise high levels of anxiety and clear the mind. She states “I think people of colour, particularly black woman, often face a lot of mental and emotional weight,” Sabrina reflects. “Running helps me cope with that weight. It’s a tool for managing stress and improving mental resilience.”
Creating Community: The Birth of Black Trail Runners
While running has undeniable individual benefits, Sabrina’s efforts to create Black Trail Runners go far beyond personal healing. She saw a gap in representation in the outdoor running community and decided to create a space where Black people could connect, run together, and celebrate their shared love for nature and physical fitness.
Black Trail Runners, the organisation she co-founded, aims to address the underrepresentation of Black people in trail running, a sport historically dominated by white male communities. “When I started running, I didn’t see many people who looked like me on the trails. I felt isolated,” Sabrina explains. “So, I created Black Trail Runners to give others like me a community-a place to not only run but to support one another and uplift each other.”
This community has had a profound impact, not only on its members’ physical health but also on their mental and emotional well-being. The sense of belonging and shared experience fosters a unique environment where people can push past their limits together. “Running together creates a bond that’s more than just about fitness,” Sabrina says. “It’s about identity, culture, and empowerment. We’re redefining what it means to be a runner and showing that Black people can and will thrive in these spaces too.”
The Physical Benefits: Strengthening the Body
While the mental health benefits of running are clear, Sabrina also underscores the physical benefits of regular running. From cardiovascular health to weight management, running engages various muscle groups and enhances overall fitness. Sabrina emphasises that trail running, in particular, has added layers of strength and endurance training. “Trail running is a different beast. It challenges your body in ways that road running doesn’t,” she says. “The uneven terrain builds strength, balance, and coordination. It’s incredibly empowering to see your body get stronger with each run.”
Sabrina’s dedication to physical fitness extends beyond just running for health. She believes that running can empower individuals to take control of their health in a way that feels both achievable and rewarding. “You don’t need to be an elite athlete to benefit from running. The key is consistency,” she advises. “Even small steps can lead to big improvements in your health and well-being.”
Running in Nature: Reclaiming Space
For Sabrina, running is also about reclaiming space in nature-a space where people of colour have historically been excluded or made to feel unwelcome. In her own community of Stroud she has experienced racism and wrote her book ‘Black Sheep’ to inspire others who may feel unrepresented to break barriers and get involved in both outdoor and athletic pursuits. The organisation she co-founded encourages Black runners to embrace the outdoors and take ownership of trails, parks, and natural spaces. “Being out in nature, especially as a Black person, is an act of resistance and freedom” Sabrina says. “We have a right to these spaces, and running in them allows us to connect not only with our own physical bodies but also with the land and the history of our people.”
Through Black Trail Runners, Sabrina and others are creating a new narrative about Black people and their relationship with nature and outdoor sports. By embracing trail running, they are redefining the landscape of both the running community and the outdoors, creating a legacy that will inspire future generations of women and men across the globe.
It’s More Than Just Running
Running has the power to transform both mind and body. For Sabrina Pace-Humphrey, running has been a path to mental clarity, physical strength, and cultural empowerment. Through her work with Black Trail Runners, and writing her first book ‘Black Sheep’, she’s not only championing a sport but fostering a community where people of colour can find a sense of belonging in spaces where they’ve been traditionally underrepresented. She recently received an Honorary Doctorate for her work, and she said ‘I am delighted to be recognised for my work and contributions over the years. It is a privilege to be in an academic space, as someone with no qualifications, I am not so familiar with this world but accept this award with immense gratitude’.
Whether you’re running on roads or trails, the act of running is a powerful tool for self-improvement, community, and connection. As Sabrina’s story shows, it’s more than just a physical activity- it’s a movement that impacts lives in ways that reach far beyond the trails themselves.
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