RIDC Champion Spotlight: Crys O'Grady

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 Crys O’Grady. Mom, advocate, changemaker, coach—just a few of the many hats that Crys wears on any given day. And how does she balance all of that? (The age-old question!) Through running. Whether it’s running with ReNew Earth Running, working toward becoming a coach with Game Changers, or inspiring and connecting with her communities, Crys uses running to center herself and connect to something bigger. 

Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC): When and how did your running journey start?

Crys O’Grady (CO): My running journey started during a significant life transition at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, I was an athlete but hadn’t consistently included running in my life. During that time, running became a way to navigate uncertainty, process emotions, and reconnect with myself. The act of running also became a way to honor my identity and community, grounding me in resilience and connection. As Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), Olympic gold medalist, once said: “The ultimate is not to win, but to reach within the depths of your capabilities and to compete against yourself.” That became a way to redefine my own strength and purpose.

RIDC: What is your favorite distance and run location to run, and why?

CO: My favorite distance is 13.1 miles. Half-marathons strike the perfect balance between challenge and social connection for me. I especially love trail running because it combines my passion for running and hiking. On the trails, I feel most present—with myself, with the earth, and with my connection to the natural world. The trails, especially in the Pacific Northwest and in my traditional homelands of the Blue Ridge mountains, are where I feel fully alive and in harmony with everything around me.

RIDC: How do you balance all of your hats: mom, advocate, runner, just to name a few? 

CO: I think about this often—not only in how I serve my broader communities but in how I strive to honor and care for those closest to me. Balancing these hats means leaning on my values, asking for help when needed, and always making space for the relationships that sustain me. I wear a lot of hats, and balancing them requires intention and care. In addition to running, I serve as a board member for Sequoia Parks Conservancy and Stanford First-Generation and/or Low Income Alumni Network, and I’ve contributed to Portland Parks and Recreation. I also support scholarship reading for organizations like the Point Foundation and Pride Foundation. Beyond these roles, my obligations to my family, friends, and tribal community are at the heart of everything I do. Running is what helps me bring balance to all these responsibilities. It’s my grounding practice, a time to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with myself and the earth. This practice gives me the energy and clarity to show up fully for my family, my friends, and the communities I serve.

RIDC: How long have you been involved with ReNew Earth Running, and what are the successes and challenges your group experiences in the running space? 

CO: I’ve been part of ReNew Earth Running for three years now. As a group, we’ve had success in creating spaces where runners of diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. We focus on fostering connection, representation, and inclusivity in the running community, which is a significant step forward in a sport that doesn’t always reflect the diversity we hope to see. One of the challenges we face is the difficulty of calling attention to issues like land back initiatives, particularly in the wider running community. Many runners don’t yet understand why these initiatives are so critical to Indigenous communities. Land back is about more than returning land—it’s about restoring cultural, spiritual, and environmental relationships with the earth, which are deeply tied to our identities and survival. Bringing these conversations into running spaces can feel daunting, but we’re committed to creating dialogue and awareness.We’re making progress, but there’s more work to do. It’s about holding space for education and action while inspiring others to see running as an opportunity to connect with and honor the land we move on.

RIDC: What are you excited for and what do you want to see more of in the running industry?

CO: Running is growing as a tool for healing and empowerment in communities like mine. As a Native American and queer runner, it means a lot to see stories, events, and initiatives that reflect and celebrate these identities. I’d love to see more efforts to create equitable access to running for underrepresented communities, including gear and resources, and a greater emphasis on how running connects us to well-being and the environment. I think of Rosalie Fish (Cowlitz and Muckleshoot), who said: “The struggles of my ancestors push me to do better and keep going. There’s power in telling your story and in reclaiming your identity.”

RIDC: What are the amazing things you are up to next? Aka how can we support and promote all the amazingness that you are?

CO: I recently became a certified run coach through Game Changers! My dream is to support runners—especially those who might have thought running wasn’t for them—by creating welcoming, empowering spaces where everyone can feel like they belong. I’m planning to engage these skills as a pacer and run crew lead. It’s such a privilege to show up for runners of all paces and provide diverse, encouraging support on their journeys. There’s nothing quite like being part of someone’s breakthrough moment during a race, and I want to keep contributing to those experiences. Running is such a beautiful way to honor the earth and our place within it, and I want to help others experience how grounding and transformative that can be. I hope to uplift ReNew Earth Running’s mission by showing how running can be about so much more than fitness—it can be a way to build resilience, connect to the environment, and celebrate our shared humanity. You can support me by elevating groups like ReNew Earth Running and Native Women Run, while learning about the lands you run and how to be a good steward of the health of those lands. 

Know someone who is an RIDC Champion? Reach out to amy@runningdiversity.com and share them with us!