“Sometimes I feel like people aren’t happy to see a black guy winning in a predominantly white sport…I’m challenging the status quo. Maybe it makes you uncomfortable, but that’s great because maybe you’ll be a better human being, and you can accept a winner based on the fact that they won and you don’t care what color their skin is.”

“I started running when I was 12. The coach kept asking me to come back, but my grandmother and my mother kept asking me not to go, because it’s not the girls’ thing: you just stay home and do housework. I thought ‘no, someone appreciates my ability. Why don’t you let me go?’ I think that it’s my own decision that I need to keep going and need to run.”

“What we want to say to women is that running is not only about competition, but [is] an empowering tool that helps you face your own body, connect with other people, find new scenery, and find the power within yourself to achieve various goals.” RunGirl is a group of women who believe running has changed their lives. Now, their mission is to bring the affirming, empowering experience of running to women across Tokyo and beyond.

“I want to show that people with autism can participate in sport. In fact, autism is a strength, and athletes from any background can be great triathletes. All you need to do is get out there and get active. Don’t let your disability be a reason for not doing sport.”