Rising Hearts August Blog Updates
Hello Beautiful Community! We hope you’ve had an amazing summer filled with family, friends, outdoors, travel and ceremony! We are very excited to slow down in this month and get some time to reflect on our busy few months before it picks back up for the fall. We have a few things for you to check out and share. Please see below for updates and community. If there is anything you would like to promote please reach out to lex@rising-hearts.org.
NEXT AWARENESS + ACTION EVENTS:
+ September: Virtual Film screening of Sweetheart Dancers - stay tuned!
+ September: Back Outside: Running Industry Diversity Coalition event, Washington DC, Sept 13th!
+ September: Every Child Matters - September 27 - October 1st | LIVE NOW
+ September: Know Your Rights Training - stay tuned!
+ October: Indigenous Peoples Day - October 11-14th | LIVE ON AUGUST 8TH
+ November: NYC Marathon - 2 Indigenous runners coming to Lenapehoking lands! Stay tuned!
+ November: Every Woman’s Marathon - 15 entries - Call for runners - LIVE SOON!
+ November: Run In Beauty film premiere in Portland OR - stay tuned!
AREAS OF FOCUS:
Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective:
We are prioritizing our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective through our own fundraising and partnerships, to support our athletes in their running and advocacy. This has led to hosting panels, virtual panels and workshops, a handful of athletes sharing their voice and and experiences on podcasts and other media platforms, a special book project with one of our athletes and this collective, supporting their initiatives, providing gear, shoes, and stipends. All possible through our fundraisers and partnerships within the running/outdoor industry. To learn more about our athletes and to be part of it, visit www.risinghearts.org/runningwithpurpose.
We have had several Athlete Advocates this year in 2025, attend some big races like the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon and London Marathon! We have a handful of new Athlete Advocates part of the team and we can’t wait to share a special blog and newsletter, spotlighting them! And several of them have helped support our virtual movement events like the 5th Annual Running On Native Lands, 3rd Annual Earth Day 5k + Plogging Challenge, 7th Annual Running For Justice, and #LetThemRun Pride 5k with in person group run and walks in their community!
Running On Native Lands Initiative:
Our Running On Native Lands Initiative is in constant growth. We are updating the toolkit and will be creating a more formalized process in becoming a partner. We had 16 consultations in 2024, with 5 that became partners and collaborators. We hope to have more consultations coming for 2025, as we raise more funds and submit for more grant funding, we will be able to expand and grow our partnerships more feasibly. Through more funds, we will have more opportunities to present and teach about going beyond a land acknowledgement, allowing us to meet more of community, help educate, and learn from community while being able to utilize our skills and connections to support land back efforts as well. So, we are looking forward to our annual virtual/in person Running On Native Lands community gatherings! Learn more at www.risinghearts.org/nativelands.
Exciting - Scott Flatlip (Apsaalooké (Crow), representing Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs ran the 2025 Western States Endurance Run 100 and FINISHED! We are so excited for him and what he’s accomplished. Notably, Brandon Dugi (Diné, Hoka Runner), and Steven Ovah (Hopi), also ran the grueling 100 mile race as well! Steven sadly had to drop out at Forest Hill but it was so amazing to see 3 Indigenous men participate in this very prestigious and exclusive event. Our 2024 runner, Alex Staten, has her story in post production that we are working hard on! And hoping to get it premiered very soon - details TBD! We are excited for our conversations to continue to grow as we plan for 2026.
We are up to so much! And we hope to apply for more funding and we will keep raising funds as we go to keep us running in all ways. Wopila tanka, many thanks, to all of you for your support, and we look forward to our hearts moving forward together.
- Rising Hearts
RECAP: THE TRAIL RUNNING FILM FESTIVAL
The Trail Running Film Festival came to Harrisonburg, VA over July 26th weekend!
We co-hosted this community event with @svbcoalitionbike and big thanks to @sagebirdciderworks for being our gracious host space! We wanted to find a venue that was community centered, and a safe space. Sage Bird Ciderworks immediately came to mind and it was a perfect fit. All the pieces to bring this together came along smoothly and became more than we could have imagined as we are starting to grow more local roots and connections, meaningfully and intentionally. Over the 3 hours for the event, we had about 56 people attend and support, with $1190 funds raised.
Big thanks to @guenergylabs for GUdie product donations and to @solefocusrunning_friendlycity for the 6 x $150 gift cards for our raffle! It’s great to have continued support from our friends at GU, going into year 3 pretty much, and it just continues to get better and better. They truly show up in the best ways possible and we couldn’t be more grateful to their support and belief in the heart work we do.
Sole Focus Running - Friendly City was great to connect with and share our intentions of this community event! As we began to pay for 3 $150 gift cards for raffle, they matched us! Making the raffle prize more fun and received more donations with the 6 winners announced at the end of the event!
We had On The Road Collaborative join us and share in the work they do with youth! Please learn more about them and support the work they do.
The Films:
This event included 7 inspiring short films, a Charlottesville run club @prolyfyckruncreww @prolyfycksolesystaz film at the Detroit Marathon! We also had special guests from @werunlong (whose film is in this festival), @ontheroadcollab and @urbanindigenouscollective. All groups tabling before and after the film screenings including a brief film discussion that really spoke to community, creating safe and inclusive spaces and environments, bringing purpose and intention to our runs and groups, and ways to give back to community that we come from and want to support! Please consider organizing one in your own community - https://trailfilmfest.com/.
We were lucky to have local Harrisonburg writer, Lori D’Angelo of the Daily News-Record, bring more visibility to the community events and storytelling to the area. See link below to read full article. 🫶🏽☀️
Rising Hearts and Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Post Film Festival Panel with Amanda Presgraves (SVBC), Jordan Whetstone (Rising Hearts), Kelsey Long (We Run Long), Cheryl Robison and James Dowell Jr (Prolyfyck Run Club).
Community Events Over the Weekend in Harrisonburg, VA:
On Saturday morning, July 26th, before the film festival event, we held our Harrisonburg Ploggers run and walk at the Farmer’s Market! This was our second time organizing with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and this time, we collected 10 BAGS OF TRASH! We are looking forward to making this a monthly gathering to be in community, through movement, connection all while doing our part, even if small, to take care of Unci Maka - Grandmother Earth.
Then after the film festival, on Sunday, we held a trail run and walk at Western Slope! It was great to have our dear friends and sisters, Kelsey Long (We Run Long) and Ariel Richer (Urban Indigenous Collective), share in both community run and walks and to experience the town and the trails!
Post run and walk plogging (to pick up, trash)!
Mid trail run and walk at Western Slope!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
WE ARE EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF OUR VERY OWN! LEX SAENZ’S BUSINESS MOVE WELL!
Move Well provides movement wellness classes for companies and organization’s employees through dance, fitness and movement meditation. Empower your team by encouraging them to connect with us through movement wellness classes. Our classes are designed to rejuvenate your spirit through mindful movement. Invest in your employees and see the difference in the workplace. Be a part of a community that values the art of movement and its profound impact on well-being.
@lexxsaenz | @movementwellness_
UPCOMING RUNS + EVENTS:
SAVE THE DATE | REGISTER | DONATE
This September Run to Remember.
September 30th - Wear Orange
Reach out to us if you’d like to host an in person run/walk in your community!
When: Sept. 27th - Oct. 1st
Where: Virtual and In Person
And all funds will continue being donated to Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and Indian Residential School Survivors Society to support their heart work, impact, and support for survivors, families, and community through healing, justice, accountability, and support.
#OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters
Join the Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Virtual 5K!
Celebrate Indigenous Milk Medicine Week from August 8-14, 2025, by participating in our virtual 5K! Whether you choose to run, walk, or move at your own pace, this event is an opportunity to honor and support Native and Indigenous breastfeeding and chestfeeding individuals, along with their families and communities.
Event Details:
When: Complete your 5K anytime between August 8-14, 2025
Where: Virtually, wherever you are!
How to Participate:
1. Register for the event by filling out this online registration form.
2. Get Moving! Complete your 5K in your preferred way – run, walk, or any other activity that gets you moving.
3. Capture the Moment: Take a photo with family and friends during your participation to commemorate the event. We would love for you to participate in the Spirit Day "Selfie Saturday".
4. Share Your Experience: Share your photo on social media using the hashtags and tag us on Instagram and Facebook so we can celebrate together. #LoveLandbackLiberation5K #IndigenousMilkMedicineWeek5K
Why Participate?
Participating in this event amplifies the voices of Indigenous parents and caregivers engaged in first food practices, while promoting mental health and wellness in Native communities. This year’s theme, "Unapologetically Indigenous: Love, Landback, and Liberation" braids together Indigenous cultural, political, and spiritual realities.
Community Involvement:
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week is more than an event—it's a powerful movement dedicated to honoring and celebrating the strength of Native breast/chestfeeding individuals and their communities. As you participate, know that you’re part of a larger community committed to healing, understanding, and advocating for the importance of first food sovereignty. By centering Indigenous practices through the power of Milk Medicine we promote healing and wellness for all generations!
Be well, relatives. Together we can make a difference!
Your support is crucial, and every contribution moves us closer to our mission to uplifting the brilliance of Indigenous communities' Milk Medicine journeys and advocating for equity in first food practices. Consider making a donation through this link: Donate Here
Thank you for your generosity and support!
The Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) is hosting "Back Outside: DC" with our friends at Altra and REI. Taking place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM ET, this community event—open to all—is focused on making the local trail running scene more accessible and welcoming to BIPOC* runners. This experience kicks off with your choice of a 3- or 5-mile paved trail walk/run, followed by coffee, breakfast, giveaways, and a panel discussion on exploring trail running.
Never run trails before? No worries, you don’t need any special gear or prior experience to join us. Whether you're new to trails or already a regular, you’ll leave with helpful tips, resources, and connections to support your journey.
BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Experience
Free Coffee & Food + meet new walking/running friends
All paces welcome, no prior trail or running experience needed
Giveaways for all attendees
Awesome running gear raffles
Hear from BIPOC leaders shaping trail culture
Meet local running groups
Walk/Run Route
3.1 Miles (Strava Map)
5 Miles (Strava Map)
RUN REFLECTIONS
August Grell | Charity Runner
My experience in Shiprock was beautiful, yet heartbreaking. People saw me running with the face marking for #MMIW, and dozens earnestly thanked me, and sharing their stories of loved ones who are no longer with us. A woman who's friend was kidnapped as a girl, a runner who's cousin body was found outside of Flagstaff, a mother who's son was murdered by police, an elder who's sister never came back from Indian boarding school. One little girl said she wanted a picture with me so she could draw me as a super hero.
There has never been a version of the Americas without LGBTQ+ or Indigenous People, and despite this time of prejudice and violence, there's no place I'd rather be than running with Rising Hearts for our rights and representation.
Otmeteotl Ichniutli!
FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS
We had 11 runners in 2024, turning their passion into purpose! We came close to $15,000 for 2024! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 8 more runners for 2025 and 2026! Perks, you’ll get a singlet, shirt, and support!
2026 RACES ARE OPEN!
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
Want to run for Rising Hearts?
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
We hope to get 35 Rising Hearts runners! And we have 25 runners now :) With a $36,400 projection of funds raised by the end of the year!
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
PODCASTS
The Women's Running Podcast
Ep 259. When is a marathon not a marathon?
Season 1, Ep. 259
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Welcome to episode 259 of the Women’s Running podcast. I’m your host Esther Newman and she’s your other host Holly Taylor. On this podcast we talk about health, politics, stuff on TV and what we ate last night. Occasionally, we talk about running.
LISTEN HERE: https://shows.acast.com/the-womens-running-podcast-2/episodes/ep-259-when-is-a-marathon-not-a-marathon
THE RAMBLING RUNNER | HOST: MATT CHITTIM
#695 - Miki Sawada: From Professional Concert Halls to Conquering the Western States 100. Learn more about our new friend that we were able to enjoy some miles with in VA - Miki Sawada!