Welcome! This fundraiser is to support RER’s mission:

This Fall, I, Sara Aranda, will be running and attempting FKTs on Indigenous lands, notably of the Cahuilla, Nuumu, Newe Sogobia, Nuumu Witu, and Nuwuvi people. Known at large as Southern California, these lands are very diverse and rich with culture, history, and people. To honor the RER Mission and to honor these communities, I will continue to research and learn what I can. Too, fundraising for RER is one of many ways in which to support Indigenous-led stewardship, sovereignty, and leadership.

Running for me has become more and more about learning. And I truly believe that racing and attempting FKTs can also encompass genuine learning and kinship with others. In a recent article for Trail Runner Magazine, author Ben Pryor quotes Phillip Kwa’han Espinoza regarding the intersections of ultrarunning and tribal communities:

“It’s an opportunity to bridge the two to benefit from each other. The tribal communities benefit by having exposure to these races that they had no idea existed, and the ultra-running community benefits by learning about these tribal communities that are in the area immediately around where they live.”

– Phillip Kwa’han Espinoza

I loved reading about the work that Espinoza is doing, like the creation of the Cahuilla Rez Ultra to support tribal youth and family programming. While I also grew up in Southern California, my experience was far different than Espinoza’s. I have so much to learn. Returning to these regions to run with all that I have become (knowing that this becoming is a never-ending process) is doubly meaningful and I look forward to raising funds for RER. I hope to positively contribute to LAND BACK, and I see using such platforms that I have access to (i.e. races, FKTs) as a way to lift Indigenous voices, initiatives, and conversations. Too, I see FKTs as alternative, more customizable opportunities (over traditional racing) for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to reconnect with the land, to learn, and to share stories.

“I have this vision that (Native) youth see these things, and they’re out there at the race or watching these people run. It becomes part of the culture like it once was.” – Espinoza

Help me contribute to these goals by donating! (And read the article about Espinoza!)

Places I will be visiting: (If you are near or around these places and would like to meet up, run together, or grab coffee, let me know!)

Palm Desert – Oct 17 to 21 – to spend time with my grandmother.

Idyllwild – Oct 22 to 28 – to camp and attempt a 24-mile FKT route.

Bishop – Oct 29 to Nov 7 – to visit friends and potentially run as well.

Death Valley – Nov 8 to 12 – to meet up with fellow runners Kiana Ramli and Brannon Forrester, with a potential 24-miler FKT attempt.

TBD – TBD – to meet up with fellow runner Kate Olson to attempt a ~34-mile FKT route.

Chuckwalla – TBD – a childhood camping place in the Mojave that was recently burned by wildfire; I’d like to see what has changed and document what I can for an essay that I am writing.

All dates and locations are subject to change due to road conditions, weather, time, and/or other variables.