Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill’s Emerging Leader Experience at the 2024 Running USA Industry Conference
Editor's note: The 2025 Emerging Leaders program is currently accepting applications. You can apply here. At the 2024 Running USA Industry Conference in Orlando, one of the most compelling newcomer stories came from Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill of Northern California. Chef Yaku found himself right in the heart of the running community, amidst like-minded industry professionals in a way he had never encountered before. As a member of the 2024 Emerging Leaders program, Chef Yaku's presence and insights offered a fresh perspective on the intersection of food and running. Hear him talk about his experience in a recent interview. A Culinary Journey into Running Chef Yaku’s journey into the running industry began with an unusual request. Originally a professional chef with a degree from culinary school in San Francisco and experiences on cooking reality TV shows to his credit, Yaku's entry into the running scene was serendipitous. His business partner was seeking a caterer for a grueling 24-hour trail event. Despite the daunting nature of the event, Yaku agreed to take on the challenge. "I remember thinking, 'What am I getting into?' but I wanted to carve out a new niche for myself," Chef Yaku recalled. The experience was eye-opening. He was astounded by the passion of the runners who, despite enduring extreme physical challenges, returned from the trails covered in mud and smiles. As Yaku observed and engaged with the running community, he found himself drawn to the camaraderie and spirit of the sport, especially its ability to bond complete strangers as newfound friends. Although he was initially skeptical about running itself, the community’s warmth and the shared experiences left a lasting impression on him. The Impact of the 2024 Conference Though he initially wasn’t sure what to expect, attending the 2024 Industry Conference influenced Chef Yaku in many ways. The conference provided him with a platform to share his unique perspective on how culinary expertise can improve and elevate events. His breakout session was a hit, drawing a standing room only crowd who were eager to learn how to elevate food offerings at running events. "The conference was incredible," Yaku said. "Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share a passion for running, regardless of their background, was deeply inspiring. We were all runners first, and that common ground made it easy to connect." For Chef Yaku, the most valuable aspect of the conference was the sense of community and the exchange of ideas. He appreciated how the race directors and other industry professionals in attendance, regardless of their experience level, supported each other and shared insights openly. Advice for Future Emerging Leaders When asked if he would recommend the Emerging Leaders program to others, Chef Yaku's response was enthusiastic. "Absolutely, do it without hesitation. The program offers incredible opportunities to learn and grow, whether you’re a novice or experienced in the field." He emphasized the importance of approaching the conference with an open mind and a willingness to absorb new information. For him, the experience was transformative, helping him to expand his horizons beyond the culinary world. The conference not only offered Chef Yaku professional growth but also fostered lasting connections. He has continued to engage with many of the people he met, collaborating on events and projects across the country. "I’m excited about the opportunities that have come from this conference," Chef Yaku shared. "From catering for trail series in Utah to helping out with marathons, it’s been a fantastic journey. The connections I’ve made have opened new doors for me." Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill’s experience at the 2024 Running USA Industry Conference is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary engagement. His journey from the kitchen to the running world illustrates how passion and expertise can intersect to create meaningful impact. For anyone attending future conferences, Chef Yaku’s advice is clear: be a sponge, absorb everything, and embrace the sense of community. The Running USA conference is not just an event but a vibrant ecosystem where runners and professionals alike can come together, share knowledge, and inspire each other.  
Participant Equity at the HAP Crim Festival of Races
Staff and participants of the iconic race in Flint, Michigan share their personal stories in our four video, article series FLINT, MICHIGAN - After 46 years of its existence, the HAP Crim Festival of Races weekend has not only become a local holiday in Flint, Michigan, but it is a celebration of Flint’s perseverance. “The Crim,” as it’s known, is one of the biggest events of the summer in Flint, Michigan. Ten thousand runners, walkers, wheelchair racers and other athletes come out for the 10-mile, 5 mile, 5K, one mile and kids’ races during this weekend in late August. Flint, Michigan is known internationally for its contaminated water crisis. They’ve had a boil filtered water advisory that started in 2014 and was not lifted until February of this year. One of the positive side effects of the water crisis was new health and wellness programs - initiatives that had not been a focus in Flint previously.  The Crim was an obvious partner. In addition to producing the August race weekend, The HAP Crim Fitness Foundation works year-round to provide programs for adults, seniors and children that include access to nutrition, mindfulness training and exercise. “It's been nine years since the water crisis began, and there’s still that fear,” said Liz Jones, HAP Crim Associate Director of Races and Training. As an example, she recently had a sixth grader in one of her programs ask her what would happen to him if he were to take 20 showers. “I was confused by that at first. Then I realized the problem: he's scared about being in the water and what damage the water could do to him. That's still a very relevant fear for a lot of people here in Flint,” Jones explained. “This is an already underserved population and now they are recovering from a pandemic on top of the lingering water crisis issues.” (Watch Liz Jones' video.) “Overcoming barriers to participation has been a focus of the Crim staff for some time, but it has become a heightened priority in the last few years,” says Lauren Holaly-Zembo, HAP Crim Fitness Foundation CEO. “As a race, we're telling people to run or walk or be active, but we know if they don't have the place or the means to do that, they're not going to. So we have to really look at addressing all of that in what we do,” Holaly-Zembo said. (Watch a video with Lauren Holaly-Zembo.) “The reality that the founding of this race that was based on inclusion and it started to raise money for Special Olympics and athletes with special needs. And we've continued to do that throughout our history,” Holaly-Zembo said. The Crim was founded by longtime Michigan politician Bobby D. Crim, who served in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 1970’s and 80’s. He ran his last 10-mile race, his 45th straight, at the 2021 event. "The community is the Crim, the Crim is the community," Crim said in a 2016 interview. "Almost everything from education to fitness ..goes through the Crim. We were a race, but now we're much more than a race.” Today, that vision has expanded to include runners and walkers who may never have been able to participate in the past. Running USA recently had the chance to speak with several runners who have been trailblazers in the Crim’s inclusivity efforts. Here are their stories. Father Time: A wrestler and a walker Father Time is his wrestling name. Yes, you heard that right. His birth certificate, however, says Leo Napier. Due to his vision impairment, he does not have a driver’s license, but that doesn’t hold him back from much else. “The Father Time character has inspired a lot of people. When I was 60, that's when I started professional wrestling, I'll be 71 years old this year.” Napier told us. The story of Father Time’s wrestling career is documented in a powerful long form story from BELT Magazine by writer Scott Atkinson. An especially moving paragraph is this one: “He’d spent his whole life trying to wrestle, but things continually got in the way. Things like cancer in his digestive system when he was still in his twenties and was trying to make contacts with wrestling organizations. About ten years later he tried again but was rear-ended while driving and hurt his back and neck. He was a father then, and life was simply busier. Around age 50, he started thinking about it again, and he had a stroke. And then another. And a third. He’d been a power lifter his entire life and was still bench-pressing more than 350 pounds at the time, but after each stroke he felt weaker and weaker. After his third stroke he heard the doctor say to his wife, ‘I can see that he was once a strong man.’” Father Time recalls his daughter running the Crim a few years ago, and feeling like it was “a little bit of a strange thing to do.” Stranger than beginning a pro wrestling career at 60? Probably not. Now vice president of the Flint/Genesee chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, he was recruited by his friend Sheila Fulmore to join the walking team this year. “We look at it as we can overcome any obstacle that's put in our way. All we have to do is just have the fortitude and the grit to do it. When (sighted people) see that we can do this, too, it changes a lot of minds and a lot of hearts,” Napier said. (Watch the video to hear more of Father Time’s story.) Access for Deaf Runners and Walkers Kid Black Fedio is a Deaf advocate, lifelong teacher of American Sign Language and for the past six years, a run/walk group leader for the Crim. She was looking for a winter activity to keep active and ended up expanding the deaf community’s access to Flint’s largest running event. “We ended up having more than 30 participants our very first year. This summer, we already have more than we had last year. It's a huge thing. People love it. I love it. It's great to all be included,” she said. Feedback she received from last year’s Deaf participants was this: “They felt that they were not brushed aside. They told me that if you provide the access for us, we will show up.” The most important part of true accessibility, Fedio explained, is authentic inclusion. It’s also vital to for events to consider expanding their signage pre-event, on course and post-event, so that those with hearing loss are able to successfully navigate the course and venue. If possible, consider bringing in an ASL interpreter for any main stage announcements or speeches made at the event. For training inclusivity, Fedio recommends being proactive in bringing on group leaders who can relate to the runners and walkers. “If you let a Deaf person lead, it is going to be more successful. I would try to recruit a Deaf adult that is familiar with this, or a pair, a Deaf adult and a hearing person, and have them lead the group. And then it will fly.” (Watch the video to hear more of Kid Fedio’s story.) There’s No Stopping Sheila Fulmore Sheila Fulmore is the President of the Flint/Genesee chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NAFB). When she first participated in the Crim 5K last year, she surprised even herself. “When we got to the middle, I was like, ‘Oh, I can't do this.’ And I just wanted to stop.” She’d been told to just put one foot in front of the other until she reached the finish, but her body was tired. Encouragement from a stranger on the course helped. “This gentleman came up behind me and said, we are almost there. Let’s go. I just wanted to him to get me a ride to the finish line. But he walked with me a bit and got me going. It was going through my head that I really don’t give up.” So she didn’t. “I finished it. And that inspired me to go, you know what, they have a training program, we should get in that program.” She is now a leader of the Crim’s visually impaired runner/walker group, with 12 members of the NAFB chapter participating this August and the hope that many more will join. Her advice to this year’s first-time participants? “Just remember that you want to finish. Don’t get hung up on your time. I don't want that to be a factor. I want you to have fun. I want you to socialize, I want you to get out and I want you to just walk.” (Watch the video to hear more of Sheila’s story.) The 46th HAP Crim Festival of Races will take place Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26. Learn more at https://crim.org/. ** Share your event stories with us: Running USA encourages event and vendor members to share their stories of success with us. Email Leah Etling, director of marketing and communications, to learn more.  
The Intersection of Running and Advocacy
As the running industry continues to implement inclusive change, Race Director Magazine recently had the chance to speak with Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel, a fourth-generation Lakota runner who has used her running talent and platform to bring Indigenous runners and causes to mainstream attention.