The Running Mamis are helping Latina moms go the distance

On a rainy Saturday morning in early March, a group of 60 women huddled outside Blue Ribbon Sports in Santa Monica in preparation for the Los Angeles Marathon. Román and Ley founded Running Mamis with Raquel Zamora and Monica Perez shortly after becoming first-time mothers, an idea sparked while participating in a community run with their babies in strollers. We’re so lucky our kids see it as a norm.” Jo Anna Mixpe Ley and Raquel Román, co-founders of Running Mamis, pose for a photo before leading a practice run at L.A. State Historic Park. That’s what I’m really proud of.” Many of the Running Mamis live in Boyle Heights and southeast L.A. County, but some travel from as far as Ventura and San Diego for twice-a-month meetups at L.A. State Historic Park, Griffith Park and the Rose Bowl. “Running in community is so encouraging,” said Reina Rodriguez, who teaches Chicano and women’s studies at Cal State L.A. and has a 9-year-old son.