National Black Marathoners Association

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National Black Marathoners Association's 1865 Logo NBMA 1865 Logo.jpg
National Black Marathoners Association's 1865 Logo

The National Black Marathoners' Association [1] [2] [3] (NBMA) is a not-for-profit runners' organization, open to everyone, regardless of running or walking ability. Founded in 2004, the organization offers college scholarships to high school distance runners.

Contents

The executive director and co-founder is Anthony "Tony" Reed, who in 2007 became the first Black person to run marathons on all seven continents. [4] [5] [6]

NBMA's logo is in the form of a race bib bearing the number 1865, alluding to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished "slavery and involuntary servitude" on December 6, 1865, after which Blacks were supposed to be "free to run" without interference. [7]

Since 2013, NBMA has recognized the accomplishments of African American distance runners at its National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame and Achievement Awards Events.

In 2021, the organization released Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners, [8] a documentary focused on African American women runners. [9] [10] [11] In 2023, a second documentary, We ARE Distance Runners: Untold Stories of African American Athletes, profiled seven African American distance runners to dispel the myth that African Americans are sprinters.[ citation needed ]

Annual summits

NBMA held its first Annual Summit at the 2005 Lewis and Clark Marathon in St. Charles, Missouri. It has occasionally held its summits in partnership with races such as the 2018 Baltimore Running Festival, [12] the 2019 Little Rock Marathon, [13] the 2020 St. Jude Marathon, [14] and 2021 Flying Pig Marathon. [15]

National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame has inducted classes of honorees in 2013-2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Documentaries

Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners Poster Breaking Three Hours- Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners PR Poster.jpg
Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners Poster

The organization has released two documentaries:

Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners

A 2022 feature-length documentary film directed and written by Anthony Reed [23] [24] [25] [26] looks at nine US-born, African American women who ran marathons in under three hours. [27]

The film features Marilyn Bevans, who became the first African American woman to run a sub-three-hour marathon at the Boston Marathon, [28] [29] as well as Samia Akbar, Michele Bush-Cuke, Sika Henry, Michele Tiff-Hill, Ingrid Walters, Shawanna White, [30] [31] [32] [33] Alisa Harvey [34] [28] and Ella Willis-Glaze.

The chief videographer and editor was Kayla Key, who also provided the voiceover for each of interviewee introductions. Bridgette L. Collins was the voice of Harriet Tubman and Nita Peters McKeethen was the trailer voiceover.

Production

Filming of the interviews and introductions took place between August 15 and 29, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona; Boston, Massachusetts; Detroit, Michigan; Baltimore, Maryland; and Alexandria, Virginia. The closing scenes, which featured Bevans, were recorded by Reed at the 2022 Boston Marathon.[ citation needed ]

Reception

In The Washington Post , Kelyn Soong wrote in April 2023 that the documentary has brought "renewed attention" to the "exclusive list of Black American female marathoners to break the three-hour barrier" and "the fact that relatively few Black American women have broken the three-hour marathon barrier." [28]

Honors and awards

The documentary and two ten-minute shorts received various awards at 2022 film festivals, including

  • Seattle Film Festival: [35] Best Sports Documentary Feature Film and Best Original Song for a Feature Film.
  • The NewsFest True Stories International Film and Writers’ Festival: [36] Best Music, Best News Story/Public Information, and Best Short Documentary Under 13 Minutes.
  • WRPN Women's International Film Festival: [37] Exceptional Merit Award
  • New York Independent Cinema Awards: [38] Award Nominee

The film was also shown at the Toronto International Women's Film Festival, [39] Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival, [40] San Antonio Black International Film Festival, [41] Visions of the Black Experience, [42] Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association Film Festival, [43] Sweden's Boden International Film Festival, [44] and the Minute Madness Toronto Film Festival. [45]

We ARE Distance Runners: Untold Stories of African American Athletes

We ARE Distance Runners: Untold Stories of African American Athletes We ARE Distance Runners- Untold Stories of African American Athletes.jpg
We ARE Distance Runners: Untold Stories of African American Athletes

This 2024 feature-length documentary film, directed and written by Reed, aimed to dispel the myth that African Americans are sprinters and not distance runners by profiling seven African American distance runners. [46] [47] [48]

The film features nationally ranked milers and two-milers Ronald and Richard “Dick” Gregory from Saint Louis. Richard Gregory ran 3,500 miles from Los Angeles to New York City. Ronald Gregory held the national high school record for the one- and two-mile races.

Theordore “Ted” Corbitt was the first African American to compete in the Olympic marathon (26.2 miles/42.2K) and conceived of routing the New York City Marathon course through the city's five boroughs. [49]

The film also includes Reed and Shalisa “Lisa” Davis, [50] who have completed the marathon hat trick: running at least one hundred marathons, a marathon in every US state, and a marathon on the seven continents. Reed is the first Black in the world to run marathons on all seven continents in 2007. [51] [52] [53] Ten years later, Shalisa Davis set the world record for running marathons on all the continents in seven days, thirty minutes, twenty-seven seconds. [54] Finally, it includes two Oakland, California, runners: Lisa Felder, [55] who completed over 345 marathons and over 110 ultramarathons; and Alphonzo Jackson, [56] who was ranked in the top three in world in his age group for the 5K and half marathon.

The videographers were Luis Escobar, Key, Reed, and Brian Young. Nita Peters McKeethen provided the voiceover for the film and trailer.

Production

The Richard Gregory interview was recorded in Dallas, Texas, on December 10, 2017. Filming for the other interviews and introductions took place between March 19 and July 31, 2023, in Oakland, California; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Port Gibson, Mississippi; Saint Louis; Austin, Texas; Cedar Hill, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Suffolk, Virginia; and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Honors and awards

The feature-length documentary and related documentary shorts received various awards at film festivals, including:

  • Global Film Festival Awards, Los Angeles, California: 2023 Best Feature Documentary [57]
  • Oniros Film Awards, New York, New York: 2023 Best Biographical Film [58]
  • The Independent Creators Expo (ICE) CineFest, Cincinnati, Ohio: 2024 Best Feature Documentary and Best Biographical Feature Film [59]
  • Oniros Film Awards, New York, NY: 2023 Finalist Best Sports Film [60]
  • New York International Film Awards, 2023 Honorable Mention - Best Inspirational Film [61]
  • Oniros Film Awards, New York, NY, 2023 Honorable Mention - Best Inspirational Film [62]
  • Black History Film Festival, DC & Atlanta: 2024 Honorable Mention - Best Feature Documentary [63]
  • The People's Film Festival, Harlem, NY: 2024 Honorable Mention - Best Feature Documentary [64]
  • ATX Short Film Showcase - Austin's Monthly Film Festival, Austin, TX: 2024 Honorable Mention - Best Short Film - TX Showcase [65]
  • Luleå International Film Festival, Sweden: 2023 Semi-Finalist - Best Short Documentary [66]
  • WRPN Women's International Film Festival, Rehoboth Beach, DE: 2024 Exceptional Merit - Best Feature Documentary and Best Sports Documentary [67]
  • The Black Panther International Short Film Festival, India: 2023 Award Nominee - Best Women's Short Documentary [68]
  • NewsFest — True Stories International Film and Writers Festival, Pasadena, CA: 2023 Award Nominees - Best Documentary News Story Over 30 Minutes, Best Family History Story, Best True Story (Documentary Style), and Most Inspiring [69]
  • Seattle Film Festival, Seattle, WA: 2024 Award Nominee - Best Short Sports Doc
  • Orlando Urban Film Festival, Orlando, FL: 2024 Award Nominees - Best Feature Documentary, Best Social Impact Film, Veteran & Military Award For Best Film/Documentary, and Best Documentarian [70]

It was also shown at the:

  • Crown Point International Film Festival, Chicago, IL
  • Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, Cleveland, OH
  • Stockholm City Film Festival – Monthly, Sweden
  • St. Louis International Film Festival, St. Louis, MO [50]
  • Austin Lift-Off Film Festival, Austin, TX
  • Seattle Film Festival, Seattle, WA
  • Freedom Festival International, Columbia, SC

References

  1. ↑ "National Black Marathoners Association".
  2. ↑ "How These U.S. Running Organizations Are Working to Promote Diversity". Runner's World. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  3. ↑ Magazine, Harlem World (2021-06-07). "National Black Marathoners Association The Official Charity Partner Of The NYC Marathon". Harlem World Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  4. ↑ "Little Known Black History Fact: Tony Reed". Black America Web. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  5. ↑ "Driven to Run: A Journey Marked in Miles - Office of Development and Alumni Relations | The University of Texas at Dallas" . Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  6. ↑ "Tony Reed Is Paving the Way for Black Long-Distance Runners Everywhere". Runner's World. 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  7. ↑ "13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865)". National Archives. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  8. ↑ "Breaking Three Hours". breakingthreehours.com. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  9. ↑ Ator, Jen (2020-05-15). "Speak Up, Speak Out: A Wish for U.S. Running From a Black Marathoner". Women's Running. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  10. ↑ "Black American women marathoners". www.nyrr.org. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  11. ↑ "We Spoke With 3 Black Women Who've All Had Different Journeys to Conquering 26.2 Miles". Runner's World. 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  12. ↑ "Baltimore to Host National Black Marathoners Association Annual Summit". Baltimore Running Festival. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  13. ↑ "National Black Marathoners Association Hall of Fame Honorees to be Recognized in Little Rock". KARK. 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  14. ↑ Williams, David. "St. Jude Memphis Marathon: He's run all around the world, spreading motivation and empathy every step of the way". www.stjude.org. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  15. ↑ Stutz, Meredith (2022-04-28). "National Black Marathoners Association chooses Cincinnati, Flying Pig Marathon as host for annual summit". WLWT. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  16. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2013". National Black Marathoners Association. Archived from the original on 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  17. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2014". National Black Marathoners Association. Archived from the original on 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  18. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2015". National Black Marathoners Association.
  19. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2017". National Black Marathoners Association.
  20. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2019". National Black Marathoners Association.
  21. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2022". National Black Marathoners Association.
  22. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame - Class of 2024". National Black Marathoners Association.
  23. ↑ Bakoulis, Gordon (February 10, 2022). ""Breaking Three Hours" Film Celebrates Black Women Trailblazers". New York Road Runners. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  24. ↑ Layman, Tom; Middlebrook, Hailey; Hatler, Chris (February 20, 2023). "The Best Running Documentaries That Motivate and Inspire". Runner's World. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners". Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners.
  26. ↑ Burtka, Allison Torres (March 2, 2023). "Only 28 US-born Black women have broken three hours in the marathon. Why?". The Guardian. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  27. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame". National Black Marathoners Association.
  28. 1 2 3 Soong, Kelyn (28 April 2023). "Black American female runners are blazing a new trail in the marathon". The Washington Post . Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  29. ↑ "Boston Marathon history - Boston Globe". archive.boston.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  30. ↑ Springer, Scott (April 24, 2022). "'It's been inspiring to see the doors open.' Black runners group to convene at Flying Pig". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  31. ↑ "Michele Tiff-Hill: From Piano Phenom to Olympic Trials Qualifier and Coach". Fleet Feet. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  32. ↑ "A conversation with Samia Akbar". 22 June 2020.
  33. ↑ rabbit. "Women's History Month - rabbitELITE, Shawanna White". rabbit. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  34. ↑ ""Breaking Three Hours" Celebrates Black American Women Sub-3:00 Marathoners". New York Road Runners. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  35. ↑ "2022 Winners". Mysite. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  36. ↑ "News Festival". Thenewsfest. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  37. ↑ "WRPN.tv Women's International Film Festival". www.wwiff.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  38. ↑ "New York Cinema Awards". New York Awards. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  39. ↑ "Toronto Women Film Festival". Toronto Women Film. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  40. ↑ "Home". www.whistleblowersummit.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  41. ↑ "San Antonio Black International Film Festival". San Antonio Black International Film Festival. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  42. ↑ "Visions of the Black Experience film series Nov 10 - 12, 2022". Visions of the Black Experience film series November 12–21, 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  43. ↑ AudPop. "2022 BESLA Film Festival". AudPop. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  44. ↑ "Boden Films". Boden Films. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  45. ↑ "Minute Madness Toronto". minutemadnessto.weebly.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  46. ↑ "We ARE Distance Runners". National Black Marathoners Association.
  47. ↑ Reed, Tony (April 2024). "Closing the Gap". Running Insight. pp. 40–42.
  48. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame". National Black Marathoners Association.
  49. ↑ Barron, James (November 3, 2023). "The Man Who Moved the Marathon Beyond Central Park". The New York Times.
  50. 1 2 "New film follows Black St. Louisans who've run a marathon in every U.S. state and all 7 continents". St. Louis Public Radio. November 14, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Tony Reed: How I Became the First Black Runner to Complete Marathons on All Seven Continents". Runner's World. July 17, 2007.
  52. ↑ "First Black Runner Finishes Seven Marathons on Seven Continents". Runner Triathlete News. August 2007. p. 6.
  53. ↑ Patowski, Joe Nick (February 2008). "Equal Footing: Few African Americans Run Marathons. Tony Reed Wants to Change That". Runner's World. pp. 2, 25, 26.
  54. ↑ Beale, Jeremy (March 6, 2017). "Seven Continents, Seven Days, Seven Marathons, One Marine". The Marines.
  55. ↑ Tilton, Morgan (November 4, 2021). "Mama Lisa Felder and the Long Road of Life and Ultrarunning". We Run Far.
  56. ↑ "National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame 2015". National Black Marathoners Association.
  57. ↑ "Global Film Awards, May 2023". Global Film Awards.
  58. ↑ "Oniros Film Awards, July 2023" (PDF). Oniros Film Awards.
  59. ↑ "May 2024 Award Winners". Independent Creators Expo Cinema Festival.
  60. ↑ "Oniros Film Awards - July 2023" (PDF). Oniros Film Awards.
  61. ↑ "New York International Film Awards, June 2023 Results" (PDF). New York International Film Awards.
  62. ↑ "Oniros Film Awards, August 2023" (PDF). Oniros Film Awards.
  63. ↑ "Black History Film Festival - Atlanta". Black History Film Festival.
  64. ↑ "The People's Film Festival - Winners and Honorable Mentions". The People’s Film Festival.
  65. ↑ "ATX Short Film Showcase - Austin's Monthly Film Festival". ATX Short Film Showcase - Austin's Monthly Film Festival.
  66. ↑ "Luleå International Film Festival". Luleå International Film Festival.
  67. ↑ "WRPN Women's International Film Festival". WRPN Women's International Film Festival.
  68. ↑ "The Black Panther International Short Film Festival". The Black Panther International Short Film Festival.
  69. ↑ "IMDb NewsFest 2023". IMDb.
  70. ↑ "Orlando Urban Film Festival - Schedule". Orlando Urban Film Festival.

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