Victor Diaz and his business partner, Bolota Asmerom, recognized that something very important was missing from their Oakland, CA, running community: representation for people of color. They founded Renegade Running with the mission of creating a welcoming space that’s responsive to the diverse population it serves. Located among retail stores and artists’ work-spaces, Renegade Running is much more than a place to buy shoes. It is a community hub, a destination, and an ethos. It is a space where people can ask questions, discuss current events, and push the sport of running forward in ways that appeal to more people and include all people. With a slick aesthetic, cool programming, and a carefully curated list of brands, Renegade Running is edgy and elegant; more importantly, the store actively engages with the surrounding neighborhoods and supports all of that community’s members.

With over twenty years of public-education experience, community organizing, and competitive running under his belt, Victor knows how to listen to his neighbors and understand their needs. (Oh, and by the way, he’s also really fast!)

Renegade Running is about activism, artistry, creativity, functionality, expression, merchandise, and partnership, and it’s definitely making running cool again. Through this unique venture, Victor Diaz is contributing vast amounts of time and energy to his sport, his community, and far beyond.