Strides for Social Justice group run

 EUGENE, Ore. – Celebrate Black History Month by joining Eugene Marathon and PeaceHealth on the new Strides for Social Justice route that highlights the achievements and legacy of Black athletes and coaches at the University of Oregon (UO).

When: Saturday, Feb. 19, at 8 a.m.

Where: Hayward Field tower (1580 E. 15th Ave) 

Join the walking group or running group. Both groups will depart promptly at 8:30 a.m.

PeaceHealth launched the Strides for Social Justice app on Feb. 19, 2021 in collaboration with Eugene Marathon and a steering committee that includes local Black leaders and educators. Seven self-guided tours, including two new UO routes, can be accessed from a free app available on both iOS and Android app stores. Links to the app can be found here. 

At the Feb. 19 group tour, you will start at Hayward Field and travel 3 miles to the UO’s recreation fields and tennis courts, on to Jane Sanders Stadium, McArthur Court, then across the Willamette River to Autzen Stadium and Pape Field. 

Along the way, you will learn about generations of inspiring athletes from Bobby Robinson and Charles Williams, the UO's first Black athletes in 1927, to Sydney Lawrence, who became the university's first Black women's lacrosse player in 2019. Like all Strides for Social Justice routes, this route includes a reflection by Yvette Alex-Assensoh, vice president for equity and inclusion at the UO. She encourages participants to think about what they’ve learned and to consider how they might advance social justice in their own lives.  

The athletics route is one of two new routes on the UO campus introduced earlier this month. The other focuses on academics and student life.

Come learn about some of the extraordinary individuals at the UO who broke barriers and opened doors for so many others.

For more information, please visit  Eugene Marathon and www.stridesforsocialjustice.org.