Our vision for RUN RICHMOND 16.19 is to commemorate the sacrifices and achievements our African American brothers & sisters have made to our nation and celebrate Unity in Diversity through symbolic courses of 16.19 km and 6.19 mi.
About the Event
Run Richmond 16.19 is a cultural running event that the Djimon Hounsou Foundation is hosting every year in close collaboration with Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and running event specialist Sports Backers. This unique event takes you on a meaningful journey through +400 Years of Black History, a history you will be able to touch and feel – up close & personal.
Through our running/walking courses of 16.19K and 6.19K and a community-powered finish festival we commemorate the sacrifices & achievements our African American brothers and sisters have made to our nation and celebrate Unity in Diversity in an intentional effort to bring people together to connect, heal and reconcile. It is powered by over 20 nonprofit partners.
Run Richmond 16.19 is part of the AFRICA RECONNECT Event Series that the Djimon Hounsou Foundation will be rolling out over the coming years. These events aim to symbolically reverse the direction of the slave trade, showcase how the past is connected to the present and future, and celebrate Unity in Diversity.
Our three event locations (1) Richmond, VA, (2) Liverpool, UK, and (3) Ouidah, West Africa were all important centers during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. They now form the Triangle of Hope.
North America
Richmond
United Kingdom
Liverpool
West Africa
Ouidah
Why did we select these places in particular? Richmond, Liverpool, and Ouidah are the three host cities of a stunning memorial, the Reconciliation Statue. Created by Liverpool-based artist Stephen Broadbent, they represent a powerful apology for the unspeakable horrors and lasting consequences of slavery. When connected through straight lines, these sculptures form the Triangle of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a trade that the British Colonies in North America joined in the Year 1619. While slavery existed in the Americas before then, the year 1619 marks a foundational historic date in our shared history.
The inscription of the Reconciliation Statue beautifully summarizes our vision:
Acknowledge and forgive the past. Embrace the present. Shape a future of reconciliation and justice.
From Us to You
Sign up to receive the latest news about ... you guessed it ... Run Richmond 16.19.
Relax! We will never ever share your personal info with 3rd parties without your explicit permission.
FAQ
-
How many race distances do you offer?
We offer 2 distances for this event: 16.19 K and 6.19 K
-
When does the race start?
The 16.19K Run starts at 7:15 AM at Kanawha Plaza and the 6.19K Run at 8:00 am. The finish is at the same location.
-
How much do you charge?
Please review our individual race pages.
-
What is your cancellation / refund policy?
Our entry fees are non-refundable, no matter whether there is a race postponement, cancellation and/or if you are unable to participate; however you may buy a race insurance during checkout or transfer your entry to another person. We’ll only charge a $10 fee from the recipient for participant transfers and you’ll recover the race entry fees directly from your friend. Just visit the self-service portal of our registration partner Run Signup to do so.
-
Can I switch races after I registered?
Yes, you'll have access to your registration on Run Signup: https://runsignup.com/. This link can also be found if you click on our account icon in the header or on the sign up link. We charge a $5 processing fee for race transfers.
Our Event Goals
for RUN RICHMOND 16.19
Commemorate the sacrifices & achievements African Americans have made to our nation since the beginning of the Transatlantic Slave Trade by America’s British Colonies in 1619.
Celebrate the powerful impact of African / African American culture, promote Unity in Diversity, and take a stand for racial equality.
Create a cultural movement to preserve Pan-African identity and reconnect the countries of the diaspora with their motherland, roots & culture.
Closely collaborate with the City of Richmond, local grass-roots organizations, educational institutions, black-run businesses and individuals to empower the RVA community.
Help people discover their family roots and create awareness that we are one people.
Raise charitable funds for the Djimon Hounsou Foundation to reconnect the African Diaspora & combat modern day slavery and human trafficking.
RUN RICHMOND 16.19 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Become a Fundraiser!
Help us raise funds for the Djimon Hounsou Foundation, our nonprofit that combats modern-day slavery and organizes meaningful events to reconnect the African Diaspora.
Donate