Home / Lifestyle / Run, Eat, Connect: New Social Running Groups Thrive
Run, Eat, Connect: New Social Running Groups Thrive
1 Feb
Summary
- Inclusive running groups merge fitness with local business support.
- Groups foster community by ending runs at cafes and shops.
- Northern Ireland sees rise in identity-focused running clubs.
Social running groups are increasingly combining fitness with community support, offering an inclusive alternative to traditional clubs. Groups like Run East, which launched in January, partner with local businesses such as bakeries and record shops. Organiser Tiernán Oliver highlights the motivational aspect of meeting people at a dedicated time, even during challenging weather conditions.
These all-abilities groups operate as social hubs, with runs often concluding at local cafes or bars. In Northern Ireland, this trend includes identity-focused clubs like the women-only The Gurls, Vegan Runners, and the LGBTQ+ group Belfast Frontrunners. Belfast Frontrunners, part of an international network, meets twice weekly and offers various distance options, followed by social gatherings at nearby cafés.
Vegan Runners UK, though long-established, is developing an organized presence in Northern Ireland. Their recent Couch to 5k program in Belfast, starting in January, has attracted both beginners and experienced runners. Numbers have grown significantly, with many participants seeking both running opportunities and connections with like-minded vegan individuals.
