Where are all the women who look like us? - Black Trail Runners bring “We Are Here” to the North

More people take to the trails and fells in the North of England than perhaps anywhere else in the UK, making Hebden Bridge a fitting location for a special Northern screening of We Are Here - a trailblazing documentary following seven Black British women from the Black Trail Runners community as they train and compete on one of trail running's biggest stages, the 2025 UTMB World Series Finals. 

The film, directed by Carrie Highman (Dream Lens Media) and presented by adidas TERREX, successfully landed on the big screen in London back in March this year followed by an online launch on YouTube.

However, with a disproportionate number of trail, fell and mountain runners based outside of London, Black Trail Runners decided the film needed to venture to new locations.  First stop - The North! And the iconic Hebden Bridge Picture House in the hometown of one of the seven warriors, Rebecca Devereux.  

The film showcases each of the seven women’s journeys as they take on a range of races from 15K (ETC) to 171K (UTMB), during UTMB World Series Finals week, a culmination and celebration of all things trail running and for many their ultimate bucket list race. 

But “Where are all the women who look like us?”  - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, Co-founder of Black Trail Runners.

It's the question that sits at the heart of the documentary. 

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Whilst every year thousands of runners from across the world flock to the trail running mecca of Chamonix, only 19% of all runners standing on the start lines at UTMB Chamonix are women and even fewer are people of Black Ethnicity.  

As well as featuring some of the magnificent running landscapes of the Alps, the film more importantly tackles themes of visibility, representation and belonging in the outdoors through the lens of the seven women, exploring what it means to stand on start lines where few people share your lived experience. By taking their place together at one of trail running's most iconic events, they challenge perceptions of who belongs in the mountains and inspire others to do the same. 

But the story doesn’t end on the start line. It continues in the places where trail running communities are growing, but representation still lags behind.

Whilst every year thousands of runners from across the world flock to the trail running mecca of Chamonix, only 19% of all runners standing on the start lines at UTMB Chamonix are women and even fewer are people of Black Ethnicity.  

As well as featuring some of the magnificent running landscapes of the Alps, the film more importantly tackles themes of visibility, representation and belonging in the outdoors through the lens of the seven women, exploring what it means to stand on start lines where few people share your lived experience. By taking their place together at one of trail running's most iconic events, they challenge perceptions of who belongs in the mountains and inspire others to do the same. 

But the story doesn’t end on the start line. It continues in the places where trail running communities are growing, but representation still lags behind. 

Whilst there have been improvements in how the trail, fell and mountain running industry, along with race organisations, have begun to address issues around representation and access, Black Trail Runners felt it was still important that We Are Here is seen in regions where there is the greatest opportunity for further progress and change.  

The afternoon’s big screen activities followed a morning spent on the trails with Calder Valley Fell Runners and Black Trail runners on a 6K sociable chatty run complete with a few four-legged friends.  

The Calder Valley Fell Runners, quoted as one of the friendliest, most inclusive run clubs in the country, welcomed runners old and new for an opportunity to meet new people and talk in an open, honest and safe space about fell running particularly for many who are new or unfamiliar to the sport.  The club have been actively working with Rebecca on how they can continue to appeal to a wider audience.  

By combining time on the trails with honest conversation off them, the day became about more than simply screening a film. It was an opportunity for runners from different backgrounds to connect, share experiences and discover that the trail running community can be a place where everyone belongs. 

In bringing her love of the Alps to the town of Hebden Bridge, Rebecca highlights how “it is as important to have the opportunity to discuss some of the themes and sometimes difficult topics that the film explores in order to help get the message across”.  

With the London screening introducing We Are Here to audiences earlier this year, the Northern screening marked the beginning of a wider journey to bring the documentary to trail running communities across the UK, encouraging more conversations around representation, belonging and access to the outdoors.

How to Host a Screening 

Hosting a screening is not just about watching a film; it is about creating space for honest conversation around who trail running is for, and how the sport can become more inclusive at every level.

• If you would like to host a screening along with a Q&A, or find out how your club can work with Black Trail Runners, get in touch at blacktrailrunners.run.

How to watch “We are here”

The full Black Trail runners film We Are Here can be watched on YouTube

Meet the Black Trail Runners: The Magnificent Seven

• Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - Ultrarunner and co-founder of Black Trail Runners

• Grace Natoli - Chair of Black Trail Runners

• Rebecca Devereux, Juliette Denny, Serena Broadway, Angela Tomusange and Nethliee La Croix - Community Members

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