Athlete Fund
Select a race from our partner network and apply. If accepted, we cover your registration fee entirely, then connect you to a mentor and community support that carries you through to race day.
What You Receive
Acceptance into the Athlete Fund means more than a covered entry. You receive a funded registration, a matched mentor, and community support from your first training run to race day.
Your Entry Is Covered
Once accepted, we handle your race registration entirely. No fees. No barriers. You focus on training and showing up.
Your People Are Here
Join a Slack community of runners of color. Connect through training runs, virtual check-ins, and in-person meetups around race weekend.
Your Mentor. Your Teammate.
Paired with an experienced BIPOC mentor from the moment you’re accepted. Not coaching, a real relationship built to carry you from your first training run to the finish line.
Race Day, Together
At select partner races, Tierra Libre Run shows up. Aid station presence, finish line support, and in-person community the week of your race. You’re not racing alone.
Who Can Apply
The Athlete Fund is built for athletes of color who are entering trail running or looking for support to go further in the sport.
Who Can Apply
We are built for athletes who:
Identify as a person of color, including Black, Indigenous, and multiracial athletes
Are new to trail running, preparing for your first trail race, or looking for support to go deeper in the sport
Hold underrepresented identities within communities of color, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and people with disabilities (priority consideration)
Are willing to engage with the community through our Slack workspace and race-day connections
The Race Network
Tierra Libre Run partners with race directors who are committed to expanding access. Supported entries are available through these organizations.
Alpine Running
Alpine Running is a family-run race company based out of Bend, Oregon, putting on a full season of trail races across the Cascades, Smith Rock, and the Elkhorn Mountains since 2017. Their events prioritize small-town hospitality, volunteers who know your name by the second aid station, and deep partnerships with local beneficiaries and trail stewards. Tierra Libre Run and Alpine Running are partnering in 2026 to foster inclusion and expand access in the trail space. Together we are funding race entries for BIPOC athletes across four marquee Alpine Running weekends, and wrapping each entry with mentorship, community care.
Aravaipa Running
Aravaipa Running is an Arizona-based race production company known for hosting some of the Southwest's most iconic trail races. From desert ultras to mountain adventures, their events showcase Arizona's diverse and rugged landscapes.
Daybreak Racing
Daybreak Racing specializes in challenging, original courses set in spectacular Pacific Northwest locations. The Oregon-based company prioritizes participant safety, inclusive race atmosphere, and professional organization while maintaining old-school charm. They offer well-marked courses, professional medical support, fully stocked aid stations, and partnerships with local sponsors, with donations supporting local beneficiaries at every event.
Massif Running
Massif Running produces trail races across Utah's stunning landscapes, including the Buffalo Run on Antelope Island and the Twisted Fork Trail Festival in Park City. Known for well-organized events that showcase the beauty of the Wasatch region.
Miwok 100K
Miwok 100K is a legendary ultramarathon in the Marin Headlands, celebrating the drama and beauty of Northern California’s coastline. The course weaves through soaring ridgelines, lush redwoods, and sweeping ocean vistas, giving runners a rare blend of challenge and inspiration. Designed to highlight the region’s natural wonder and trail-running heritage, Miwok offers both seasoned ultrarunners and passionate newcomers an unforgettable, uplifting experience in a welcoming and community-focused environment.
Mountain Running Races
Mountain Running Races hosts premier trail running events across Washington State, including the Leavenworth Trail Fest and North Bend Trail Fest. They also run the Vert Running Series, a five-race mountain running series stretching from the Olympics to Mount Spokane.
NorCal Ultras
NorCal Ultras organizes trail ultramarathons throughout Northern California, bringing runners to some of the region's most scenic and challenging terrain. Their events are known for a welcoming atmosphere and well-marked courses.
Northwest Trail Runs
Northwest Trail Runs organizes trail running events throughout Washington State, focusing on well-marked courses that showcase the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Their events feature parks and trails within easy reach of the Seattle metropolitan area, offering both experienced trail runners and newcomers the opportunity to explore diverse terrain in a supportive racing environment.
Rainshadow Running
Since 2006, Rainshadow Running has been curating unforgettable destination trail races across the Pacific Northwest. Their events highlight some of the most breathtaking trails in the region—each course uniquely challenging, beautiful, and memorable. After the miles, runners are welcomed into one of the most vibrant post-race parties in the trail running world, with amazing food, local craft beer, and live music from regional bands. Rainshadow races are known not just for the trails, but for the community and celebration that follow.
Trail Sisters LLC
Trail Sisters is a grassroots movement building community for women in trail running. Through local meetups, events, and online resources, they create welcoming spaces for women of all abilities to discover and grow in the sport.
Walla Trails & Community
Walla Trails & Community is a trail running organization in the Walla Walla, Washington area dedicated to building connections between runners and the local trail network through group runs, events, and community stewardship.
Wonderland Running
Wonderland Running creates memorable races in magical Pacific Northwest locations, operating since 2019 with a focus on community and exploration. Based in Oregon, the company combines trail running expertise with environmental stewardship, offering well-organized events that celebrate the natural beauty of the Cascades and surrounding wilderness areas. Their community-focused approach emphasizes inclusive experiences that connect runners with spectacular landscapes.
Our Supporters
These brands believe in the power of investing in BIPOC athletes, their support makes our fund possible.
Brooks Running
Janji
On
Built for You.
Tierra Libre Run is created and led by people of color. We believe runners of color deserve more than access. We deserve power, belonging, and a real home in this sport.
The Athlete Fund is one part of how we build that. The bigger vision is infrastructure for trail access, a platform where runners of color can learn, connect, and lead in the sport.
You do not have to already be a trail runner. If you are curious about trail running and ready to commit to a race, we are ready to support you.
Apply for the Fund.
Browse the races in our partner network and choose one that fits your goals. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Tierra Libre Run is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative with fiscal sponsorship through our nonprofit partner. Donations are tax deductible. 81-2908499 .
