Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. At NYRR, this month we look at AAPI representation in the running community and tell stories of AAPI runners and groups.
We recognize that racism and xenophobia continue to impact AAPI individuals and communities, and that this affects the AAPI running community. We support and amplify community members who are working to elevate the AAPI experience and prevent racist sentiment and actions.
Here we share content from our blog elevating stories of AAPI runners and members of the community. We'll add more content throughout the month.
NYRR Pacers Talk About AAPI Representation
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we talked to NYRR Pace Team members about their running journey, how they got started pacing at races, and Asian American representation in the running community.
AAPI-Centered Running Clubs and Groups
The New York City area is home to several running clubs and crews centered on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) identity. We spoke to members about how they’re honoring AAPI Heritage Month, their clubs’ histories and identities, and more.
Trailblazers: Miki Gorman and Toshi d'Elia
Michiko "Miki" Gorman and Toshiko "Toshi" d'Elia were barrier-breaking Asian American women runners who came to prominence in the 1970s. Both came to running later in life, and both defied expectations and overcame stereotypes of age, gender, and cultural background.
NYRR Running Route: Sunset Park and Brooklyn's Chinatown by Chinatown Runners
On this running route, we explore Brooklyn through the perspective of Victoria Lo and Tony Cheong of Chinatown Runners, starting in Park Slope and ending in Sunset Park’s Chinatown.
NYRR Running Route: Roosevelt Island to Roosevelt Avenue by Adobo Social and Anti-Social Athletic Club
On this running route, we explore Roosevelt Island, Astoria, and Woodside, Queens through the perspective of Jud Santos of Adobo Social and Anti-Social Athletic Club. Queens is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world and Jud takes us on a run through the borough ending in what’s affectionately known as Little Manila to discover the rich Filipino community.
Leland Yu: Running to Make a Difference
When Leland Yu lost his job as a cook, he decided to do something significant. Rather than focus solely on his own plight, Leland took on a 12-hour running challenge to raise money and awareness for Welcome to Chinatown, an organization that supports at-risk small businesses and residents in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Youth Runners Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
Three of our Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassadors share what it means to be AAPI, achievements in the AAPI community that inspire them, the importance of AAPI representation in the running community, how racism and xenophobia have affected them, and more.
This month is also Mental Health Awareness Month – check out our content here.