cultivating community in a meaningful way.
We hope to elevate the heart work of our Athlete Advocates. If you’re an individual with a platform or a company that wants to be in this heart work of justice, equity, diversity, access, safety, and inclusion - we have incredible voices that you can amplify. We are here to establish relationships with partners, organizations, and companies, to work collectively to a shared common goal and future those who have felt oppressed, harmed by the systems and tactics of the running industry, the unheard, and where all bodies, are respected, visible, protected and heard. We will be able to learn from each other’s lived experience and create a support system for each other to safely and successfully do this heart work for not only ourselves, but for our community and the next generations.
We are running with purpose. We are running for justice. We are running in prayer. We are running for healing. We are running for community. We are running for the safety of our communities.
2025 Athlete Advocates
Carolina Rubio-MacWright
Pronouns: She/Her
New Jersey
Carolina Rubio-MacWright is an immigrant from Colombia. She is an artist, ultra runner, lawyer and activist fighting for immigrant and humanitarian rights based in NJ/NYC. She is the founder of Touching Land a nonprofit organization that uses somatic practices and the arts (clay, cooking, mindfulness, running) to educate about legal rights, climate action, internal power and joy, while uniting diverse individuals.
As an immigrant and seeker of freedom for all, running is embedded in my activism as a lawyer, a latina, a mom and as a human part of la pacha mama and our community. Running is the vehicle that reminds me of what is possible and why it's so important to do it together as a strong family building the world we imagine and we deserve.
Xavier Hendrix
Pronouns:
California
My name is Xavier Hendrix and I was born and raised in Oakland CA. Being an advocate grants me the opportunity to be both a representative and a voice of my community. I wish to inspire and spread the message that no matter where you come from, how you begin. Regardless of your identity, we all have a place in this world. We are all capable of greatness and all deserve a seat.
Kylie Bemis
Pronouns: She/Her
Zuni
Massachusetts
Kylie Ariel Bemis is an autistic trans woman and enrolled member of the Zuni Tribe who currently lives and teaches in Boston, Massachusetts. A statistician and data scientist by training, she is a storyteller and a runner at heart. She is a published author of short fiction and strives to be a competitive amateur racer on the roads and on the track.
She didn’t choose advocacy. Advocacy chose her. You can only push an Indigenous girl so far before she fights back, and this woman’s weapons are her words and her running. Her blood will always be drawn home to Zuni, but she is proud to call Boston her local marathon.
What being an athlete advocate means to me:
In Zuni, as the nights grow longer, the winter solstice approaches, and the sun rises in a certain location, the Shalako come into the village. They are the tall, birdlike messengers of the gods who come to dance through the night as the year begins to end. The next day, they show their strength in a ceremonial foot race in the center of the village.
When the Pueblo peoples rose in revolt against Spanish occupation, runners carried the messages of rebellion. Runners have always been the messengers, and I’m a Shiwi runner.
I’m proud to follow the tradition of my Pueblo ancestors. I’m proud to fill my lungs with their breath as my heart pounds and I find their footsteps beneath mine in a foot race to forge a path where others may follow. I’m proud to carry the message.
Kali Reis
Pronouns: She/Her / They/Them
Seaconke Wampanoag | Cape Verde
Pennsylvania
I love the mental challenge of running and also the mental clarity running has to be me. Coming from a boxing background round we as fighters sometime LOATHE running lol but running with purpose with rising hearts has changed my perspective and it is now like my “church” equivalent to how I view boxing training/fighting.
+ How is this Boston Marathon training cycle different from the NYC Marathon build up? Any difference?
It differs in the time I have to prepare haha. But luckily I have thee BEST coach and she has kept my active even after NYC & I also know what to expect. A lot more hills in my training!
+ From boxing to running, what does running with purpose mean to you?
Running with purpose is an extension of what I hoped to do with my boxing platform bringing awareness to various issues. Not only am I a small part in bringing awareness but actual resources information & hope (I hope) to the communities affected by these epidemics. It’s one thing to talk about it, but I’m honored to be able to use physical action towards something meaningful.
+ Favorite fuel for training?
I LOVE the GU Stroop waffles (coconut flavor is BOMB !) and honestly a good PB&J on sourdough does me right before a long run lol! + Favorite snack?
Greek yogurt topped with pumpkin hemp flaxseeds with some blueberries and honey always hits the spot! And of course I add a scoop of peanut butter or protein powder. + Favorite songs for training?
My playlist is INSANE but a good Rage Against the Machine playlist has the best tempo to keep me pumped during my run. I listen to everything !!
