FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

GLOSTER, Miss. — Runners from across the country will gather this month to raise awareness about air pollution from large-scale wood pellet production across the Southeast. 

The wood pellet biomass industry and large-scale forest-derived biomass use for electricity production were denounced in 2020 as a climate solution by scientists around the world, yet federal and state governments still allow them to flourish while the health of ecosystems and small communities deteriorate. This specific biomass industry is a contributor to environmental injustice—Black people account for 77% of the population of Gloster, a small town dealing with ecological and health hazards. 

Gloster is a rural town, and like other rural communities, residents are placed in situations with limited access to healthcare and few economic opportunities to compensate for worsening health. But Gloster is unique in its access to public recreation in the South. The nearby Homochitto National Forest will be the site of a large trail run on Sept. 29 and will serve as an example of the beauty of Southern Mississippi’s forests, yet local residents are subject to air and noise pollution and environmental degradation under the presence of several wood biomass production companies.  

“This particular community is dealing with a suite of issues that represent what is going on across Mississippi and across the Southeast in terms of industry presence and political representations, and access to resources,” said event organizer Peyton Thomas, a trail running ambassador for Patagonia, the global apparel company. “We want to use this run to raise awareness and support the Gloster community and similar communities that are dealing with the same issues.” 

The trail running community is increasing across the Southeast, providing opportunities to expand recreation access to minoritized communities and advocate for environmental protections. The Equitable Action Run Towards Health (EARTH) aims to inspire collective civic action on climate policy and health equity in often overlooked places, through the act of running in community. The event is open to runners of all ability levels. The run is free to attend, but participants are encouraged to donate to the Greater Greener Gloster Project to help the people of Gloster buy air purifiers and air quality monitors for their homes and businesses. NNormal, Patagonia and Protect Our Winters are sponsoring the event. 

What: Runners from across the country will gather in Gloster, Miss to raise awareness about air pollution from large-scale wood pellet production, and to encourage civic action.  

Who  

  • People representing the residents of Gloster, Miss., and other people from across the state and country, organized under Equitable Action Run Towards Health.  

  • Upcoming state and local candidates have been invited.  

  • Event speakers include Rachel Mayes of Southern Echo, along with representatives from Dogwood Alliance, Mississippi Public Health Professionals for Climate Health and 2024 Mississippi State Senate candidate Ty Pinkins. 

When 

  • Friday, Sept. 29 at 1:00pm: Race check-in and registration, sharing of community healthcare resources (PPE and air filters provided by JULIAN) and an optional community run to share voting resources. 

  • Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8:30am: Trail run with distances ranging from 2-10 miles followed by free food, music, speakers from organizations such as Mississippi Public Health Professionals for Climate Health Equity (MSHPCHE), Southern Echo, Dogwood Alliance and Protect Our Winters.  

Where 

  • Friday, Sept. 29: Gloster Public Library, 229 Main St., Gloster, Miss. 39638 

  • Saturday, Sept. 30: Clear Springs Recreation Area, Roxie, Miss. 39661 

Visual assets 

  • Photos of Gloster and the biomass plant, running through the Homochitto National Forest here. 

    • Please credit photographer Brendan Davis. 

  • Event promotional video here. 

  • Event poster here.

Press contact: patagoniapress@patagonia.com

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