Jeffery (Jeff) Armstrong Sr., born in El Dorado, Arkansas, relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 1997. An avid basketball player, Jeff spent countless hours shooting hoops, but he first began running during basic training for the Army Reserve in 1996. That period marked the only time he would run long distances. Years later, Jeff discovered obstacle racing and was immediately hooked. Wanting to improve his race times, he decided to run more frequently, though without any formal guidance or training. Over the following years, he participated in multiple obstacle races, driven by a love for the challenges they offered.
In 2012, Jeff was asked to run a leg in the Colfax Marathon in Colorado, marking his first race without obstacles. He didn’t particularly enjoy the experience but accepted the same team’s invitation the following year. However, a torn ACL from playing flag football prevented him from participating, and he never returned to the sport. While recovering from ACL surgery, Jeff grew passionate about fitness beyond running, and he returned to obstacle racing in 2014, completing a few races over the next three years. This journey led him to become a certified personal trainer and a Muay Thai coach.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Jeff saw running as a way to stay active with his family. Shortly afterward, the video of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder became public, which inspired Jeff to connect with other Black runners in his community. After a quick Google search, he found Black Men Run (BMR) Denver. At his first group run, there were only three other members. Over the next few months, the group expanded modestly, but when the captain stepped down, Jeff was asked to take on the role.
Accepting the captaincy, he had a pivotal conversation with the then-National Captain, Bryan Castleberry, who shared insights into the mission of BMR. Inspired, Jeff committed to expanding BMR Denver, encouraging as many Black men as possible to take charge of their health. With the help of his vice-captain, Raheem, Jeff grew the Denver chapter’s visibility and impact.
Later, Jeff was invited to join the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as the National Captain, a role he couldn’t turn down. Over the past four years, he has participated in numerous races across various distances, from 5Ks to half marathons, and connected with hundreds of BMR members across the country. Now, Jeff is focused on strengthening existing BMR chapters and welcoming more Black men into the Brotherhood to champion health and wellness.