#7 Vivian Tang | Through Example and Creating Inclusivity on the Trails
In this episode of the MidPacker pod brought you by FreeTrail, with generous support from Vacation Races, Troy Meadows talks with Vivian Tang about acting locally while thinking globally when it comes to empowering the BIPOC community to embrace the trails. Vivian is a clinical pharmacist, trail runner, and community organizer. She is very passionate about inclusion in trail running and we dive deep into a few topics including the treatment of a group of BIPOC spectators at this year's Boston Marathon and the presence in past years of a confederate flag license plate at the Barkley Marathons. While this plate has not been displayed in years, pictures still surface every fall when the race is held. We discuss the feeling that this brings up in her and other BIPOC individuals and why it is important to have open communication and discussion about topics like these in order to find common ground and create safe places for creating the inclusion we want to see in the sport. Vivian also co-leads a trail running club for women of color in Portland, OR, through Trail Mixed Collective, an organization focused on increasing access to outdoor sports for women of color. We discuss the need to act locally and think globally when it comes to making the trails a welcoming place for everyone. I commend Vivian for being willing to have an open conversation on a hard topic and leading by example when it comes to being the change she would like to see in the world of trail running. IG@VivianWTang https://www.trailmixedcollective.com https://www.boston.com/news/boston-marathon/2023/04/20/baa-speaks-out-black-boston-marathon-spectators-say-they-were-targeted/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/sports/gary-cantrell-barkley-marathons.html If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below. Sponsor Links: Title Sponsor: Vacation Races - Race in epic American National Parks or take a week-long inclusive Global running Adventure with Vacation Races - Vacation Races: Run Were You Play Use code: "freetrail15" to get 15% off any half-marathon or ultra-marathon Use code: "freetrail200" to get $200 off any Global Adventures trip Space is limited for these epic experiences, so sign up before they sell out. Visit vacationraces.com to learn more. Run Trail Life - This is a brand I am super passionate about because I am the Founder and Chief everything officer for RTL. Run Trail Life Brings you casual apparel that lets you show off your love of trail running and ultrarunning while giving back to ensure that everyone has access to the beauty of nature for generations to come. With each item purchased, we donate $1 to runners for public lands. Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. Freetrail - Bring Trail Culture with you everywhere you go and join an amazing community of extraordinary trail runners. Freetrail Pro membership is just $96 a year, giving you access to the Freetrail Slack community, training plans, weekly office hours, and so much more. I absolutely love this community and have personally used the training plans to get ready for my ultra efforts. Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. Midpacker Pod Links: Instagram Troy Meadows Links: Instagram | Twitter | Website Freetrail Links: Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | Website | YouTube