Charlie Dark MBE is a Dj, poet, cultural leader and community-builder who has transformed how running is experienced, understood and shared. As the founder of Run Dem Crew, he has redefined running as a powerful tool for creativity, connection and social change, bringing together movement, culture, music and self-expression in a way that has inspired thousands around the world.
What began as an alternative London running crew has grown into a global movement, challenging traditional ideas of who running is for and what it can represent. Through Run Dem Crew, Charlie has created inclusive spaces that welcome people often excluded from mainstream fitness culture, particularly young people and underrepresented communities. His work has helped shift the narrative around running from competition and performance to community, wellbeing and joy.
Charlie’s approach goes beyond physical fitness. He uses running as a platform for mentorship, mental wellbeing and creative expression, showing how movement can support confidence, identity and belonging. His impact has been recognised nationally, and in 2023 he was awarded an MBE for services to running and young people.
Charlie Dark’s talk at the 2027 National Running Show is not one to miss. Drawing on lived experience, cultural insight and over a decade of community leadership, he will challenge conventional thinking around running, inspire new ways of engaging people in movement, and share practical ideas on how running communities can become more inclusive, creative and future-facing.