“It's All About Our Love and Deep Appreciation for Nature"
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’re highlighting Misty Mountain Runners, a local run club with a majority of members who originally come from China. The name Misty Mountain is derived from the club's Chinese name "岚山" (Lán Shān), which refers to a gorgeous mountain near Kyoto, Japan.
“It's all about our love and deep appreciation for nature and outdoor pursuits,” said David Wan, one of the club’s members.
Whether it’s sharing dim sum in Chinatown or volunteering together at a race, their members support each other with a simple goal: stay healthy and have fun.
“Some standout moments include runners braving harsh weather to support each other, tearful embraces between marathoners and their supporting teammates, and the sheer determination displayed by racers pushing their limits during events,” David said.
Misty Mountain Runners was founded by Wendy Zhou who created a chat group in August 2015 for runners to support each other and offer advice. Since then, the group has grown into an official NYRR member club and a nonprofit organization.
“Since its inception as a modest chat group of around 10 members, Misty Mountain Runners has flourished into a community of approximately 700 registered members,” said David.
Building Community Through Running
In February, the club received the Team Spirit Award at NYRR’s Club Night where the New York City running community came together to celebrate the power of running and to award some of the best runners and teams. Misty Mountain Runners' team spirit is on full display at NYRR races where members cheer each other on while waving their distinctive red flag.
“We are very honored and proud to be recognized by the NYRR running community. We will continue to foster a supportive and inclusive environment within our club and the broader running community,” David said.
When asked about Asian and Asian American representation in the running community, David said that over the years they’ve witnessed a surge in the presence of Asian runners within the broader running community signaling a positive trend toward more inclusivity and representation.
“We remain [committed] to promoting a love of running and look forward to collaborating to enhance Asian representation within our running community,” he said.