No Surrender Running Club (NSRC) is a sport-for-development nonprofit that aims to empower West Michigan youth and families to achieve great things, one step at a time. It aspires to live in communities where movement is accessible and equitable for all. 

NSRC’s programming is designed to disrupt inequities in wellbeing that disproportionately impact Youth of Color that live or attend school in the 49507 Zip Code of Grand Rapids, MI.  NSRC dismantles barriers to sport that are structural (cost of entry, not having programming offered at school) or perceived (“I’m not athletic enough.”) Once accessible, NSRC’s programming supports PYD, including physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. NSRC’s programming also strategically builds a social community with the aim of increasing representation in the sport of running. Collectively, the achievement of the objectives outlined above creates a cycle wherein youth and their families increasingly have access to sport and the many biopsychosocial-emotional benefits that participation in sport can facilitate. 

NSRC offers continuous running programming across eight months annually. Practices are held on Monday and Thursday evenings, for two hours each, wherein youth train for 1-6 community-based running events, including 5K up to full marathon races. Programming is free (including race entries) and open to youth of all ages and ability levels, removing many of the barriers that prevent youth from participating in sports-programming. NSRC ensures that all runners receive proper tools (e.g., running shoes, clothing) to participate safely and confidently.

No Surrender Running Club

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