22nd October 2023
An interview with Cat Runner, winner of HBO's The Climb
The Climb winner Cat Runner on winning the show, what he would change about it, how it framed his experience as a trans climber, and the role of storytelling in climbing.
Authors
Cat Runner
Cat Runner is a transgender photographer, athlete, and community leader. Raised in Kentucky, he primarily focuses on rock climbing, which led to success on HBO's The Climb - the first televised outdoor climbing competition of its kind. In 2022, he founded the Queer Climber's Network, an organization and database focused on helping queer climbers connect with each other, instructors, educational programs, and professionals within the climbing industry. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition and works with other community organizers to implement programming that makes the climbing community more inclusive and accessible to affinity identities. He is supported by prAna, Rhino Skin Solutions, and Organic Climbing.
