Who Gets To Be Seen? Representation In The Outdoors

What happens when people don’t see themselves reflected in the stories we tell about outdoor sports?

In this talk, trail and ultra runner, author, activist and a leading voice in increasing ethnic diversity in outdoors - Dr Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - explores the power of representation in shaping who feels welcome in outdoor spaces.

Through her new book Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5K Running Guide for Women and her new short film Legacy - a film that follows the stories of 7 Black women at one of the world’s most prestigious mountain running events - she examines how storytelling in books and film can challenge barriers, reshape perceptions and create a more inclusive future for trail running.

Drawing on personal experience and community work, she shares why representation matters, how narratives influence participation, and what meaningful change in outdoor storytelling looks like.

This session is for anyone interested in inclusion, outdoor culture, and the future of adventure storytelling.

More About Sabrina

Dr Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is a trail and ultra runner, author and advocate for greater representation in the outdoors. She uses storytelling as a key tool to amplify underrepresented voices in endurance sport.

She is the author of the new book Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5K Running Guide for Women and is featured in the new short film - Legacy - both exploring identity, belonging and access in outdoor spaces.

Through her work, she aims to challenge traditional narratives of adventure and inspire more diverse participation in the outdoors.