Lace up for the run-club era, where alumni lead the way
For many people, the term ‘fun run’ is an oxymoron. But there’s no denying that running is having its moment in the sun, with a noticeable uptake in people joining run clubs, signing up for half-marathons and documenting their couch-to-5-kilometre progress on social media.
Members of UQ’s fleet-footed alumni community are the driving force behind some of Queensland’s most popular running clubs, and Contact caught up with them to get the run-down.
Lucy Blair (Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Communication ’20) is the co-organiser of Rockhampton’s Run and Rump club, and helped launch Run and Rump on Instagram with fellow organiser Samantha Plath in January this year.
The Rockhampton community quickly rallied behind them, and now a consistent crowd of 120 keen locals participate in their Wednesday afternoon runs.
Lucy said she has been blown away by the support of brands and local businesses wanting to promote the initiative.
“We have an ongoing partnership with a local gym and shoe store,” Lucy said.
Organisers of Run and Rump Samantha Plath (left) and Lucy Blair (right). Image: Supplied
“Excitingly, we also partnered with Beef Australia to give our 'Rumpers' free entry into Beef 2024 [a week-long exhibition and celebration of the beef industry held in Rockhampton in May].
“Having [activewear company] LSKD reach out to us was a highlight. Each month we're able to give our runners prizes donated by LSKD. I love that these partnerships enable us to give back to the people who come each week.”
Organisers of SoSo’s Run Club in Brisbane, Sophie Rindfleish (Bachelor of Nutrition and Exercise Science ’18, Master of Dietetics ’20) and Sofie Spelta (Bachelor of Business ’16), have experienced similar growth and community support.
“We never expected our silly little run club, which started out as a group of 10 friends, to grow quite so huge,” they said.
SoSo's run club collaboration with Rec Gen. Image: Sophie Rindfleish
“In August last year, we were seeing 30-40 people a week. By December, we were averaging 300.
“We used to count every person in the group photo, but once the meets started getting over 200 people, it was impossible to zoom in close enough to count. If we had to take a stab at it, we'd estimate our record attendance would be just shy of 500 people!”
With the welcoming, supportive and fun environment promoted through run clubs, it’s no wonder that brands like LSKD want to get behind such an initiative.
“The number of brands that reach out to us on a daily basis is, quite frankly, insane!” Sophie and Sofie said.
“We currently have ongoing partnerships with LSKD and Runna. Earlier this year we linked up with New Balance, which sent one of our runners to the London Marathon.”
SoSo's agreed their dream collaboration would be with gelato company Messina or dating app Hinge, which begs the question – are run clubs the new dating hotspot?
“We’ve had a surprising number of success stories. While running 5km at 6am on a Saturday morning isn't the most romantic date, we've found that bonding over the trauma can help strengthen relationships.”
Lucy agreed.
“I've seen it happen several times! I think it works because it's a super low-pressure situation,” Lucy said.
“If you do have a 'run-club crush', you have the opportunity to see them each week and slowly get to know them without the pressure that going on a traditional date can bring.”
Rump and Rump – Wednesday night edition. Image: Supplied
Rump and Rump – Wednesday night edition. Image: Supplied
Organisers of Run and Rump Samantha Plath (left) and Lucy Blair (right). Image: Supplied
Organisers of Run and Rump Samantha Plath (left) and Lucy Blair (right). Image: Supplied
SoSo's run club collaboration with Rec Gen. Image: Sophie Rindfleish
SoSo's run club collaboration with Rec Gen. Image: Sophie Rindfleish
SoSo's Run Club organisers Sofie Spelta (left) and Sophie Rindfleish (right). Image: @sosos_runclub
SoSo's Run Club organisers Sofie Spelta (left) and Sophie Rindfleish (right). Image: @sosos_runclub
Dr Michael Noetel, a Senior Lecturer from UQ's School of Psychology, recently published a review of over 200 randomised trials on exercise for depression which highlighted the benefits of walking and running.
“Running and walking are among the types of physical activity that have the fewest barriers – you don’t have to go to a yoga studio, you don’t need to buy any weights, anybody can go,” Dr Noetel said.
“The reason run clubs are working so well isn't just that they're an intense physical activity, because we’ve looked at lots of studies that had intense physical activity [like cycling on a stationary bike] and they did not have the same effect.
“It seems that social connectedness matters a lot. We already know that from other therapies for things like depression, where sometimes the treatment involves going to see your friends, even when your brain says don't see friends.
“We know how important making new social connections is for everyone's wellbeing, including people with depression. Running clubs are quite conducive to that because running with someone and accomplishing something with them is a nice way to connect with other people who share your interests.”
At SoSo’s Run Club, they’re “all about the community”.
“Running alone kind of sucks. At SoSo's, we place a huge importance on welcoming everyone – no matter their running pace or ability – and it's so nice to see people come together for a run,” they said.
“We have a whole spectrum of people who come along, from people who are there to walk their dog or run for the first time, all the way to those who have done multiple 100-kilometre ultramarathons.”
Lucy emphasised that everyone is welcome at Run and Rump.
“Coming to a new run club, or doing anything for the first time, can be scary! But you will absolutely feel so proud of yourself for giving it a go,” she said.
“I promise that no one cares how fast you go. I can't emphasise this enough,” she said.
Run clubs are about more than just running; they’re a place for fostering connections, building community and promoting mental and physical wellbeing in a supportive and fun environment.
As Lucy said, “the desire for social run clubs is well and truly there – it just takes someone to make it happen.”
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