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dining dates's avatar

I joined a run club in my NYC neighborhood back in 2022. Not only did they help me gain confidence in running (I blame them for my love of marathons and racing now) but the value of having a true third space that is filled with people who are all different ages, in various careers and stages of life, has meant so much more to me than I could have ever imagined!

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Raziq Rauf's avatar

Yes, in LA, where everybody drives around in their own little bubbles instead of using public transport, run clubs are one of the only places I get to socialize with people from different walks of life, and I absolutely love that.

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Andrew Chen's avatar

Long live run clubs. The community at my local club hung back with me when I was huffing my way through 3 miles at party pace in my first year, and is a place where I can contribute now and help people who are new to running feel welcomed and included.

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Ron Nurwisah's avatar

I’ve been a runner for 10+ years and run clubs were a cheat code for building a social life in NYC. I moved here back in 2019 and then had that social life demolished by lockdown and the pandemic. I couldn’t even use work as a social crutch because we were all working from home and many of us chose to leave NYC during early Covid.

I don’t know if I would’ve stayed and loved NYC as much as I do know if it wasn’t for my current run club.

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Raziq Rauf's avatar

Definitely a big, big reason why I'm still in LA

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Ed K's avatar
Sep 22Edited

This is a great read Raz, and loved how you manage this all as a Dad. Hope to still run with you at a group even though we are separated by so much traffic I’m probably better off running to where you are for a meetup, haha.

What I love about clubs is Choice. Any day of the week offers something, somewhere, to get some miles in just for exercise or training for a race. I love being a Regular at multiple Clubs.

I think the biggest change is how I travel. I always look for a local run club in the city I’m at, and it’s been a great experience meeting others and seeing the city I’m in. Running, like Music, has really has turned into a universal language that brings people together.

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Raziq Rauf's avatar

Absolutely love joining crews as a travel option, but it's often difficult to find them. Regardless, I have my London regulars now, and maybe NYC regulars as well!

What are your LA regulars? Venice, KRC and WeHo,?

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Ed K's avatar

Damn you know me good. VRC, KRC, WeHo, and Sunday Runday and Beverly Social when I can. I also host once a month on Wednesdays (usually middle of the month), ShowRunners (2.0/Reboot/Sequel). Been incredible seeing newcomers from the Entertainment Industry and Running join together for a different focus now (connecting & networking our industry & running).

It can be daunting to find run clubs worldwide, but I have access to a pretty resourceful document of run clubs around the world and domestic. If you’re ever traveling to an unknown city, just ask! I may be able to advise.

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Fr. Cathie Caimano's avatar

we call ourselves 'running family'. I like to say that while running, we talk about everything and everything. When we socialize together, all we talk about is running! :)

I love it.

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Raziq Rauf's avatar

All we talk about is running haha. Too true.

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