Running for a Better Oakland

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Running for a Better Oakland RBO is dedicated to helping students build confidence and develop healthy lifestyles through running!

Running for a Better Oakland (RBO) is a non-profit organization that encourages Kindergarten-12th grade Oakland students to develop healthy lifestyles through running. By providing training and encouragement, RBO helps students build confidence and set goals, giving them tools for achievement and hard work they can draw on in all areas of their lives. RBO strives to build a tolerant, healthy, and prosperous community. Through the discipline and rigor of a structured running program, RBO’s goal is to create new relationships, establish trust, build self-esteem, and empower students, parents, and volunteers.

Happy birthday, Coach Hannah! 🎉🎂Today we’re celebrating one of the people who makes RBO what it is. Hannah shows up for ...
10/16/2026

Happy birthday, Coach Hannah! 🎉🎂

Today we’re celebrating one of the people who makes RBO what it is. Hannah shows up for our students every Saturday, meets them wherever they are, and supports our younger students as they grow as runners!

Thank you for everything you do for our kids, Coach Hannah. We’re so lucky to run with you. 💛💙

It’s , Pride Run edition! 🏳️‍🌈This past Saturday, several of our students, coaches, and Run Mentors laced up for the Ea...
10/12/2026

It’s , Pride Run edition! 🏳️‍🌈

This past Saturday, several of our students, coaches, and Run Mentors laced up for the East Bay Front Runners/Walkers 22nd Annual Pride Run and Walk at Lake Merritt. 

Huge thanks to RBO Coach Hannah and everyone who came out to cheer, pace, and celebrate with our kids. And thank you to EBFRW for putting on a race that truly welcomes everyone.

10/07/2026

What are we excited for this season? We asked our community, and their answers show exactly what RBO is all about 💙

Come run with us! Tap the link in our bio to learn more. And tell us in the comments: what are you most excited about this season? 🏃

Happy ! 💙Every Saturday, our coaches are at Snow Park setting up before check-in even opens. They lead the warm-ups, ru...
10/07/2026

Happy ! 💙

Every Saturday, our coaches are at Snow Park setting up before check-in even opens. They lead the warm-ups, run alongside kids at every pace, and cheer louder than anyone at the end of a long run. Some of them started out as RBO students themselves, which might be our favorite part.

Thank you, Coaches, for everything you do for our runners. We’re so lucky to have you!

Saturday was a warm one at Snow Park, but our runners still got their miles in! 🏃☀️It was also our highest attended prac...
10/06/2026

Saturday was a warm one at Snow Park, but our runners still got their miles in! 🏃☀️

It was also our highest attended practice of the season so far, which was great to see. The park felt full, and it was so fun having that many kids, families, Coaches, and Run Mentors out there together.

Thank you to everyone who came out and kept it going in the heat. See you at the next one! 💙

What a September! 🎉 We kicked off Fall 2026, celebrated 15 years of Running for a Better Oakland, and welcomed over 200 ...
10/01/2026

What a September! 🎉 We kicked off Fall 2026, celebrated 15 years of Running for a Better Oakland, and welcomed over 200 students and 65+ Run Mentors back to Snow Park.

And then came the big one: our 15th Anniversary Fundraiser, Run Your Own Race, raised over $65k for RBO’s programs — plus we landed a $35k grant from Marsh McLennan Agency - West and the Barney & Barney Foundation to help more Oakland students get to practice in the first place.

We also welcomed 20+ new Youth Coaches this season, student leaders that show up early every Saturday for the next group of kids coming up behind them.

We can’t wait to see what October has in store! 💙

This season, RBO has 15 incredible Coaches who do so much for our students — setting up for practice, reviewing the day’...
10/01/2026

This season, RBO has 15 incredible Coaches who do so much for our students — setting up for practice, reviewing the day’s plan, and getting ready to spend their morning with our runners instead of sleeping in. And we wanted you to meet them!

Some of our coaches found their way to RBO in ways that feel like they were meant to be. chun huang started out as an RBO student himself — he came up through the program, earned a Senior Scholarship, came back as a Run Mentor, and now he’s back again as a coach, guiding the next kids the way he once was guided. 

Christine grew up in France and actually hated running as a kid, and now she’s RBO’s Head Coach, having been with RBO since its beginnings in 2011. 

erin choy ellis 😎 spent her whole childhood on the basketball court until a last-minute decision to try cross country in high school changed the entire direction of her life, and part of it eventually led her here.

There’s also Karina, who gets to coach alongside watching her own son Josh grow into one of our standout runners — which might be the most RBO story of all.

Swipe through to meet all 15 of the people who make RBO Saturdays what they are. 💙

This season, RBO has 13 incredible Coaches who do so much for our students — setting up for practice, reviewing the day’...
10/01/2026

This season, RBO has 13 incredible Coaches who do so much for our students — setting up for practice, reviewing the day’s plan, and getting ready to spend their morning with our runners instead of sleeping in. And we wanted you to meet them!

Some of our coaches found their way to RBO in ways that feel like they were meant to be. chun huang started out as an RBO student himself — he came up through the program, earned a Senior Scholarship, came back as a Run Mentor, and now he’s back again as a coach, guiding the next kids the way he once was guided. 

Christine grew up in France and actually hated running as a kid, and now she’s RBO’s Head Coach, having been with RBO since its beginnings in 2011. 

erin choy ellis 😎 spent her whole childhood on the basketball court until a last-minute decision to try cross country in high school changed the entire direction of her life, and part of it eventually led her here.

There’s also Karina, who gets to coach alongside watching her own son Josh grow into one of our standout runners — which might be the most RBO story of all.

Swipe through to meet all 13 of the people who make RBO Saturdays what they are. 💙

Another great Saturday at Snow Park in the books! 🏃 Our runners got in a solid practice this week — warm-up, endurance r...
09/28/2026

Another great Saturday at Snow Park in the books! 🏃

Our runners got in a solid practice this week — warm-up, endurance run, and a little extra circuit work to keep things fun. Always so good to see this community out there together.

Thank you to our Coaches and Run Mentors for another great practice. See you next Saturday! 💙

What an incredible night 🎉 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Run Your Own Race, our 15th Anniversary Fundraiser — ...
09/26/2026

What an incredible night 🎉 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Run Your Own Race, our 15th Anniversary Fundraiser — together, we raised over $65,000 for Oakland’s young runners!

From an inspiring speaker panel to the heartfelt stories shared by our own students, this evening was a true celebration of 15 years of community, running, and showing up for Oakland youth.

To our sponsors, volunteers, board members, and every single person who showed up — thank you for making this our best year yet. And special thanks to our friends and supporters GU Energy Labs for hosting us at their HQ!

Missed it, or want to keep the momentum going? Link in bio to donate or learn about joining RBO for our Fall season.

Address

Snow Park, Harrison Street & 19th St
Oakland, CA
94612

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