Photos And Stories
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

May 02, 2022

Two runners in Brooklyn Chinatown cityscape

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, as the majority of workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

At NYRR, this month we look at AAPI representation in the running community and elevate inspiring AAPI runners and running groups, even as we recognize that racism and xenophobia have impacted—and continue to impact—AAPI runners and all of society.

In New York City, from 1990 to 2019, the total number and the percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) residents has more than doubled in the past three decades—from 490,000 (7%) in 1990 to 1,200,000 (14.3%) in 2019.

Sadly, Anti-Asian sentiment and violent acts have risen nationwide and in NYC. In our running communities we look to support and amplify community voices actively engaged in efforts against anti-Asian sentiment and violence. As we celebrate AAPI heritage, we also recognize that the current climate is significantly affecting the AAPI community—both in and outside of running.

Check out content from our blog and NYRR Running Routes platform that celebrates AAPI runners and organizations working to build a community that is ever-more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all.