Building Representation for Asian Women Trail Runners: Ellie Windham

Ellie sat down with EARTHMOVERS co-host Verna to talk about her running background and how she developed into a running community leader. Their conversation touches on Ellie's experiences navigating and claiming her own identity as a Korean woman who was adopted from her home country and raised by a white family in a predominantly white community in Pennsylvania. Ellie also talks about her evolution from solo runner to group run leader, with a passion for helping newer runners find joy and reach goals they'd previously thought they couldn't reach. Ellie tests her own limits in ultra running: she is currently wrapping up training for the Javelina Jundred 100-mile race: this will be Ellie's third attempt at this distance. She talks about how she's adjusted her training so that she can overcome the difficulties that held in back from completing previous 100 milers. "Ultra running really teaches you so many things about yourself," say Ellie. "I think ultra running is the greatest teacher in my life." Additionally, Ellie is a first time producer and director, with Christine Rivera: they created the short documentary Girls Run Ultras. Ellie and Verna talk about how Ellie developed this new skill and passion for telling stories through film and video and how this documentary came to life. Girls Run Ultras screened at the 2024 Trail Running Film Festival. As always, Verna brings her experience as a community leader and organization founder, as well as her experience as an ultra runner and racial equity advocate. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcastOur Season 1 Presenting SponsorThank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.comFrom this EpisodeEllie Windham on Instagram: @elliewindhamAsian Women Stay Running (AWSTARS) on Instagram: @awstars_nycEARTHMOVERS HostsVerna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesirStefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin