Anthony Reed to Keynote 2026 Gateway Outdoor Summit

Anthony Reed played a pivotal role in transforming African American distance running from a largely overlooked segment of the sport into a thriving national movement. On Thursday, August 20, he will bring that story to St. Louis as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Gateway Outdoor Summit.

A St. Louis native, Reed is a former technology executive, Hall of Fame athlete, filmmaker, author, and nationally recognized speaker. His career has spanned business, athletics, storytelling, and community leadership, inspiring audiences across the country to challenge assumptions, expand possibilities, and pursue ambitious goals.

In his keynote address, From Five to 500,000: Building a Movement Through Leadership, Strategy, and Community, Reed will share how he applied lessons from corporate marketing and community engagement to help grow African American distance running — from just five clubs and no national organizations in 2004 to hundreds of clubs and crews, multiple national organizations, and more than 500,000 runners by 2025.

"Anthony's story reflects many of the values at the heart of the Gateway Outdoor Summit," said Brad Kovach, deputy director of River City Outdoors, producer of the event. "His success in building a nationwide movement demonstrates how vision, persistence, and collaboration can create lasting impact. Anthony is both an innovator and an ambassador for the sport of running, and I can't wait to welcome him to the Summit."

Following the keynote, attendees will have the opportunity to view Reed's award-winning documentary, We ARE Distance Runners, which highlights the untold stories and contributions of African American distance runners and their lasting influence on the sport and culture of running. The film explores themes of representation, identity, and belonging while celebrating the transformative power of endurance sports.

The 2026 Gateway Outdoor Summit will bring together civic leaders, outdoor industry professionals, economic development experts, educators, nonprofit organizations, and advocates from across the bi-state region and beyond. Through presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, participants will explore how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, community vitality, public health, and regional identity.

Session topics will include evidence-based outdoor recreation advocacy, community-led outdoor projects, destination development, and strategies for leveraging outdoor assets to strengthen local economies and improve quality of life.

The Gateway Outdoor Summit is a free event designed to move ideas into action, foster partnerships, and inspire innovative approaches to outdoor recreation and community development.

For more information and to register, visit https://2026GatewayOutdoorSummit.eventbrite.com.