Running in Denim, Breaking Silence: Why I'm Racing the Berlin Marathon for NO MORE

We’re excited to invite allies and activists to share their perspectives on our blog. This guest blog is written by Summer Willis, who is running the Berlin Marathon for NO MORE.

You can learn more about running for Team NO MORE here.

Ten years ago, I couldn’t run a mile. I was 19, silenced by trauma after surviving sexual assault, carrying the kind of weight that doesn’t show up on a scale. Running became a lifeline—a place where I could cry, rage, remember, and begin to reclaim my body and my voice. What started as a coping mechanism eventually turned into a purpose-driven journey to help others heal too.

This fall, I’ll be lacing up in Berlin to run the BMW Berlin Marathon for Team NO MORE, representing a movement that is as personal as it is powerful. And I’ll be doing it in denim. Yes, actual blue jeans.

Because this marathon isn’t just about speed—it’s about symbolism. I’m attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest woman to run a marathon in denim, a feat that honors Denim Day and every survivor who has been blamed, silenced, or told they were “asking for it” because of what they wore.

Denim Day began as a response to a devastating ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, which overturned a rape conviction because the survivor wore tight jeans. Since then, denim has become a global symbol of protest against victim blaming. And now, in Berlin, it’s becoming a symbol of hope, healing, and defiance—one stride at a time.

Running for NO MORE felt like the natural choice. Their commitment to ending domestic and sexual violence through awareness, advocacy, and action aligns perfectly with my own mission. Over the past year, I’ve run 29 marathons across the country, including crawling one on my hands and knees to raise awareness for survivors and advocate for legal reform. The Summer Willis Act—legislation I championed to strengthen the definition of consent in Texas—was recently passed, and I’ve spoken on the steps of the Capitol to remind the world: survivors are not weak. We are warriors.

Berlin is special not just because it’s one of the six major marathons, but because the Guinness World Records team will be on-site, officially documenting runners attempting records from all over the world. It’s a chance to make history for a cause that’s often hidden in the shadows. And as much as this is a personal milestone, it’s not just about me. It’s about us. Every person who has survived something they never should have had to endure. Every person who’s learning, like I did, that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible.

This record attempt will also kick off the countdown to our Denim Day 5K, hosted in Los Angeles with NO MORE as a proud partner. We’ll be building a team, creating a space for survivors and allies to come together, and raising funds for healing programs. Running in denim at the Berlin Marathon is the bold first step toward that. It’s loud. It’s uncomfortable. It’s exactly the point.

I want people to see that healing doesn’t have to look graceful. It can look gritty. Messy. Even a little sweaty. But it’s also powerful, joyful, and deeply human.

So if you’re reading this, know that it’s never too late to take your first step—whether it’s speaking your truth, joining a movement, or even running in jeans halfway across the world. I’ll be out there in Berlin, every mile stitched with purpose, chasing not just a world record, but a world where no more survivors suffer in silence.

Let’s run toward that future together.

Help Make History in Denim

Please consider donating to my NO MORE fundraising page to support their incredible work to end domestic and sexual violence. Every dollar fuels awareness campaigns, survivor resources, and life-changing programs. Together, we can create a world where NO MORE is not just a name—it’s a reality.

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse, you can access support through the NO MORE Global Directory.