RIDC’s Champion Highlight: India Cook-Calloway
By Amy DiTommaso
An RIDC Champion is someone who is actively doing the work of the mission and vision of our organization and is a living example of the goals we have.
Our next champion is India Cook-Calloway, founder of Miles from India (@i_of_endigo_runs) and one half of the Run Duo podcast (@therunduo). As many of us have, she came to running looking for a way to get in shape and develop healthy ways to move her body. However, when she began, she quickly realized there was not much out there that reflected who she was as a runner. Through her vlog on YouTube, she brought other runners along for the ride of discovering herself as a runner and helping other runners, especially Black women runners, see themselves in the everyday tips and tricks that are needed to feel successful and happy in the running world. As she created the space she didn’t first find herself, the running world took notice, and eventually India began hosting run events. She did not stop there, but we will let you read more to find out just how far and where this thing called running has taken her!
A powerful, kind, joyful woman whom many people suggested to be highlighted, we are excited to share India Cook-Calloway of Miles from India with you!
Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC): How did you get started in the running space?
India Cook-Calloway (ICC): My running journey started in 2008 on my quest to lose weight and engage in healthy social activity. In the beginning, I used my time on the pavement as an outlet, and I didn’t know the many opportunities that the running community would afford me. As I started to increase my distance and frequency of running, I observed that there were limited running resources created for women of color to help individuals start in the sport of running. Therefore, during my training block for my first marathon, I developed my vlog, “Miles from India,” on YouTube. The vlog’s purpose is to educate, inspire, and motivate runners. Viewers can find tips and how-to videos that aid in helping runners navigate running effectively. I found that the journey to 26.2 was the best way to show the different areas of running. This was my way of “being what I didn’t see” and hopefully introducing people to running in a way that was inviting, transparent, and simplified. The vlogging opened my eyes to my passion and focused on making the sport of running less intimidating, relatable, diverse, and inclusive. I try to embody this in every aspect I do throughout the running community.
RIDC: You hold a lot of amazing titles (coach, podcaster, announcer, vlogger, auntie, and the list goes on!). Do you have a favorite, or is there one in particular that you feel most drawn to cultivate? (Feel free to leave auntie out of the mix, as I can see from photos anything would be hard to compete with your niece :)
ICC: I wear multiple hats, and as I sit back and think about it all, I can genuinely say that race announcing has my heart. I started race announcing in 2021, and it truly fills my cup. As a runner, I find it very helpful to have fun and encourage race announcers at races. I remember being at a race and hearing the race announcer say something that was not very motivating to a runner. It was something that I would not say to participants because you don’t know their situation, and it did not come across as positive. At that time, I was volunteering for the race, and I thought, what would it take to be an announcer? I spoke to some of my connections in the running community and made it happen. I find so much joy in motivating people from 5K to marathons and encouraging them in a cheerful way. I use my cheerleading background. To see their faces as they cross the finish line and they light up if they hear their name. It brings me even more joy when it’s someone I know personally; the moment is special.
RIDC: What is your proudest achievement in the running industry?
ICC: My proudest achievement has been my brand, Miles from India, because my brand is ME. All of the growth and opportunities that have come my way in an organic way.
RIDC: What inspires you to create/hold diverse spaces in the running community?
ICC: I am inspired by every person that messages me, or I see at events, that says they started running because of me. I am inspired by everyone who thought they couldn’t do it but saw me on the microphone or listened to my podcast and changed their mind. Lastly, I’m inspired because I get to continue to diversify all the spaces that I take up and bring a unique perspective and experience.
RIDC: How did your podcast come to be, and what do you love most about it?
ICC: As people started to hear more about me and my journey to becoming a marathoner in 2017, I began to connect with other runners like Tommy Mitchell. Tommy had his podcast and wanted me to join him as a cohost. He expressed that he would find value in having a female cohost and someone that could also provide a different perspective as a back-of-the-pack runner. In 2018, I took Tommy up on his offer, and we started the Run Duo Podcast (@therunduo). Our biweekly podcast talks all things running as we educate and entertain listeners and interview novice to elite runners. I love interviewing runners from various walks of life and experience. And most importantly, highlight them and provide the platform that they deserve.
RIDC: What is your favorite event to announce and why?
ICC: My favorite race that I have announced to date has been the Atlanta Lululemon 10K. This was a fun race weekend. It started with my podcast being able to interview some of the global Lululemon ambassadors. On race day, I was one of the finish line announcers. The race was packed with energy, support, and fun. I called out participants’ names and even helped run some runners across the finish line. It was a great time! I quickly learned that I love being the finish line announcer at long-distance races. As a runner, I know what it takes to run distance races, and we leave it all out on the pavement, so congratulating the finishers is exciting!
RIDC: What is something awesome you did/willing be doing most recently?
ICC: August 14 to 16, I emceed the Take the Lead retreat in Chicago, Illinois. This was my second year as the emcee, and I was beyond excited. I will also be emceeing at a few local races in Atlanta, so stay tuned for those announcements.
Know someone who is an RIDC Champion? Reach out to amy@runningdiversity.com and share them with us!
