Help Ashley Break Barriers in Ultra Running

I'm Ashley, a Baltimore transplant (San Diego raised) runner, mental health therapist, dog & bunny mama, and newly minted Bravo enthusiast. I'm raising funds to participate in The Speed Project, as a solo runner. Not only will this be an incredible physical feat for my personal accomplishments, but this race represents something much bigger: it’s about breaking barriers in a sport that’s been historically dominated by men, and proving that Women of Color belong in every space—even in the most grueling races like this one.

Last year, I had the privilege of running The Speed Project, an extreme 340-mile relay running race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. I ran on a team of 7 runners and 5 support members from A Tribe Called Run, a diverse run crew in Baltimore.

This was a big deal. And not just because of the 340 miles. Or the desert.

Growing up, I didn’t see people who looked like me participating in events like this. Honestly, it felt like sports in general were not welcoming to people like me: A Woman. A Woman of Color. A Black Woman. A Southeast Asian woman. A First Generation American.

Despite the demographics of this sport being quite opposite of my own, I think it’s so meaningful to set a new standard of who can and will do hard things, and I have a fire under me to push into spaces that we sometimes feel pushed out of. So, I'm taking on the 300+ miles on my own this time around!

The physical challenge doesn’t intimidate me—it’s the mental battle that truly excites me. It’s about overcoming self-doubt, pushing past the fear, and proving to myself and others that I belong here. I want to be a living example for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, showing them that we can break through barriers and claim our place in spaces that once seemed out of reach.

Running may be an individual effort, but it’s not a solo journey. Whether it was running with A Tribe Called Run last year or taking on this challenge now, I know I can’t do this alone. I need the support of my community—people like you—to help me reach the start line. Your contribution will help cover the costs of travel, race fees, and training, but more importantly, it will show that together, we can dismantle the barriers that have held us back for too long.

Let’s show the world that we can do hard things—and we can do them together.

Thank you for believing in me, supporting this journey, and helping me prove that we belong here.