Run Crews Revitalize Communities – Why Race Directors and Sponsors Should Pay Attention
An Interview with Prolyfyck’s James Dowell
We interviewed James Dowell of Prolyfyck Run Crew in Charlottesville, Virginia, to learn how his story exemplifies the transformative power of run crews. His journey offers clear takeaways for race organizers, sponsors, and brands looking to support and amplify meaningful community impact.
Every impactful movement begins with a spark. In running, that spark often starts as a personal journey that evolves into a force of transformation. Running strengthens individuals while creating ripple effects that improve mental and physical health, promote social equity, and revitalize communities. The broader running industry—race organizers, sponsors, and brands—has a major opportunity to support and amplify this impact in ways that create lasting change.
James’s Spark Moment
James’s running journey began after experiencing personal loss—losing his brother and best friend in back-to-back years. His mental health plummeted as he struggled to process the grief. But everything changed when a friend invited him on a run.
“We ran at night through the neighborhood we grew up in,” James said. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be around, but it turns out neighbors were watching.” Week after week, people cheered for them as they ran by and encouraged them to keep moving their bodies.
“That was the lightest I’d felt mentally in four years, it was freeing.” He said. “I felt like I was serving a purpose for the community. Suddenly it clicked. I’ve never been a runner, but this is it. This has to be it. We have to keep doing this.”
Running, he realized, wasn’t just exercise—it was a way out of darkness, a means to connect with people and places. That realization led to creating the Prolyfyck run crew.
Run Crews Are More Than They Appear
Prolyfyck intentionally routes its runs through Charlottesville’s historically Black neighborhoods. James knew the power of running for individuals and for creating community. But he wanted to take it a step further and give back even more to the neighborhoods they ran through.
Inspired by Power Malu, a runner from NYC’s Bridge Runners who launched the Artists-Athletes-Activists where they set up community refrigerators in underserved areas, James thought, “If they can do this in NYC, why can’t we in Charlottesville?”
James knew the same NYC model wouldn’t necessarily work in his community because solutions must fit a community’s needs. He noticed Charlottesville has food banks, but people struggle with transportation and time to pick up the food.
During a run he noticed Free Little Libraries along the route and saw a solution: providing non-perishable food pantries along Prolyfyck’s route in areas where access to food was limited. As he approached a local company about providing funds for building the pantries, the business took it upon themselves to order a kit directly from Free Little Library for assembling the structures, and sent it to James.
The women of Prolyfyck took it one step further and hand-built “sexy pantries”containing feminine hygiene products. Today, pantries are stocked by runners and non-runner community members alike. They reinforce Prolyfyck’s mission: showing up for the neighborhoods they run through in impactful ways.
Building a Movement, Not Just a Run Crew
Prolyfyck’s pantries are supported by local groups, including City of Promise and the Charlottesville Housing Authority. James also shared that race management company J&A Racing supported Prolyfyck with community initiative funds, which they put back into the pantry project.
James emphasizes that impact isn’t about copying Prolyfyck—it’s about addressing local needs. He envisions race organizers, brands, and organizations supporting grassroots efforts—not just financially, but through long-term community investment. Funding pantries, supporting local runners, and listening to those on the ground can make running more inclusive and impactful.
Prolyfyck’s run crew today is about 500 people— runners and walkers of all speeds. The pantries have become self-sustaining, and each one supports about 20-30 small families per week.
Movement Sparks Movements
Running in community is like skipping a rock—it creates ripples. This story isn’t just inspiration for run crews but a call for brands, races, and organizations to support local initiatives. More support means more runners, more impact on health and equity, and a stronger, a more united running movement.
To learn more about James and Prolyfyck Run Club, visit their website at Prolyfyck and follow James on Instagram
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