Happy Juneteenth! This holiday, which began in 1865 and became a federal holiday in the UNited States in 2021, celebrates the commemoration of the end of slavery* in the United States, and has become a day that also celebrates the rich history and heritage of the African American and Black community and works to instill a sense of heritage and pride in Black youth. Historian Mitch Kachun considers the celebrations of the end of slavery to have three goals: “to celebrate, to educate, and to agitate.” Enter, Martinus Evans.
Martinus Evans is: 300 pounds and running.
Martinus Evans is: an eight time marathon finisher.
Martinus Evans is: a published author.
Martinus Evans is: a podcast host.
Martinus Evans is: a community builder.
Martinus Evans is: a Director on November Project Board.
Martinus Evans is: not taking any shit.
Nearly 11 years ago, in July 2012, Martinus Evans walked into his primary care provider’s office with intense hip pain and left with an order for physical therapy. 20 weeks later, still in pain, he had a new prescription from his orthopedist: start walking. “Screw walking, I’ll run a marathon.”
Martinus may have been laughed out of that doctor’s office, but he’s the one laughing now. He’s completed 8 marathons, started the Slow AF Running Club to create space for slow runners and walkers, and recently published his book, “Slow AF Run Club: the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to run.”
Through this journey, Martinus has also been on a path of reclaiming his body. From a young age, thinking his big body made him worthless to in 2017 when he took his shirt off during a livestream of a run. “People watching the stream freaked out and said put your shirt back on, I thought, “Why is it so much of a big deal still for a fat man to take off his shirt?” That moment made me start taking off my shirt more. Metaphorically, I crossed another finish line and started to no longer to see my body as something disgusting but, instead, as something beautiful and strong.”
Since beginning running in 2012, Martinus has been #JustShowingUp everywhere to find spaces to belong as a runner – including November Project in 2014. His story is similar to many who showed up during the early days of NP: being attracted to the hype, but showing up to find that the space wasn’t inclusive for the intersection of his identities of plus size runner and Black man. He opted to stop showing up and continued to search for a place to belong. And when he didn’t find it, he made it.
In 2019, Martinus founded the Slow AF Run Club, a run club with one vision: to empower every person on this planet to become a runner in the body they have right now. It’s grown to become the world’s largest inclusive online community for back-of-the-pack runners with thousands of runners engaging with the group through social media, purchasing Slow AF merch, and hosting local meet ups.
Earlier this year, Martinus’ book, “Slow AF Run Club: the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to run.” launched and he’s on a book tour to bring more of this online magic to you in real life. You can catch Martinus on tour to grab a copy of the book, or purchase a signed copy here.
Martinus, let us just say that we’re glad you’re here and we’re so happy to have you has a member of our Board of Directors and our global November Project Community.
*We know that slavery takes a modern day form in reduced access to the “American Dream” through structural racism that continues today. For more information on this, check out this .gov article.
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