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[Professional runner Erika Kemp’s goal at this year’s Boston Marathon was simple: to finish running 26.2 miles and “be OK.” However, upon crossing the finish line, the 28-year-old shattered the record as the fastest debut marathon for a Black American female runner, becoming the first to break the three-hour barrier. “You can finish it. It’s going to get really hard and feel really long but think of all the work you put in prior,” Kemp recalls telling herself throughout the race. The New Jersey native started running at the age of 14 after her soccer coach, who also coached track, convinced her to try long-distance running. She initially hated it, but quickly found success and fell in love with the sport. Running opened doors for her, including opportunities to travel while in college.
Taking on a marathon was Kemp’s next big challenge, a natural progression after excelling at multiple shorter races. However, she recognized that a full marathon was a completely different level of difficulty. In the United States, long-distance running has historically been dominated by white runners due to systemic racism and socioeconomic barriers that Black runners face. There is often an assumption that Black Americans are more likely to excel at shorter distances. Kemp is changing that perception, and her impact is already evident. At the Boston Marathon, spectators from the Black-led running community cheered her on, inspiring her to keep pushing. They saw her as an elite athlete breaking barriers and believed that if she could do it, their daughters and others from their community could too.
Kemp didn’t set out to break records or be a role model. She didn’t realize the impact she was having until people started reaching out to her with words of encouragement and admiration for her accomplishments. As she competes in more high-level races, she has become a spokesperson for inclusion within the sport and an example for future generations. While Kemp may not be a natural-born advocate or a loud person, she is learning to use her platform for good and advocate for change. She wants people to realize the incredible impact running can have on their lives and hopes to inspire others to discover the lifelong benefits of the sport.
Running has been a crucial outlet for Kemp, helping her navigate difficult moments in life. It has gotten her through the loss of loved ones, her father’s illness, and a painful breakup. Running has always been something she could control and something that made her feel better. While mental health and happiness are her primary goals, Kemp also has her sights set on competition and winning. With her record-breaking abilities, a medal is well within reach.
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