Celebrating the Santa Mujeres Run Club: A Space for BIWOC
By: Tiffany Ammerman & Virginia Camacho
Welcome to the Santa Mujeres Run Club, a thriving community space created for BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, a       nd Women of Color) by BIWOC. Since their inception in October 2020, they have grown to serve hundreds in the San Diego running community and beyond, welcoming women and men (allies) to join them in their passion for running.
Their Origins and Mission
Virginia’s fitness background is in personal training and run coaching, and along with her partner, she started Santa Mujeres Run Club to fill the void of free, diverse running groups in San Diego. Almost four years later, they are proud to announce that they have officially become a nonprofit organization. As Cofounder and Vice President, Virginia is excited about the impact they continue to make.
Their mission has always been to create an inclusive and supportive environment for runners of all backgrounds and abilities. On a good night, they average over 100 runners each Thursday, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm and commitment.
Achievements and Recognitions
Over the years, Santa Mujeres Run Club has garnered significant recognition and media coverage. They have been featured in several book publications, including “Born to Run 2” by bestselling author Chris McDougall and “Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life” by REI Podcast host Shelby Stanger. Their work has been highlighted in TEDx talks, and earlier this year, they were interviewed by Televisión Los Angeles, with the segment airing nationally in March. Additionally, they had the opportunity to discuss their group and racial equity on KPBS, furthering their mission and reach.
Racing and Training
They were excited to announce that they sent a team to the Broken Arrow Sky Race this month, with potential coverage in SF Gate News. Their club trains for all distance races, including half marathons and full marathons, helping countless women achieve their marathon goals. They even have an official Santa Mujeres Track & Field team that competes in local sanctioned races.
In 2022, they were voted Best Run Club in San Diego by the San Diego Reader, a testament to the dedication and spirit of their members. Nike Running honored Virginia with a beautiful award for her contributions to the running community, a prized possession that symbolizes the impact of their club.
As a race ambassador for ERS events in California and Colorado trail races, the San Diego Donut Dash trail race, and soon The Kook Run 10k, Virginia has access to discount codes for many races. Their members often travel across the country and internationally for races, making their club a vibrant and well-connected community.
Weekly Runs and Inclusivity
They meet every Thursday at 6 PM in Balboa Park by the carousel, located at 1889 Zoo Pl. They offer 1-mile or 5k routes, with flexibility for more or less. All paces and levels are welcome, including walkers. Their routes are kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and stroller and wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can participate.
Their commitment to inclusivity and community is unwavering. They have had wheelchair participants and strive to make their club accessible to all. The past four years have been incredibly fun and filled with hard work, but like Invictus, their community is everything and so important to them.
Join Them
They invite you to join them and become part of the Santa Mujeres Run Club family. Follow them on their only social media page on Instagram here. Experience the joy of running in a supportive and inclusive environment, and help them continue to make a positive impact in the running community.
Thank you for being a part of their journey. Here’s to many more miles together!