How Boston is turning into a destination for inclusive run clubs

"There's no pressure for you to feel like you need to run a marathon."

If you enjoy running and are looking for a way to build community, Boston is the place to be.

Home to the world’s oldest annual marathon, running in Boston is more than just popular – it is a recognizable part of the city’s culture.

Beyond exercise and hitting personal goals, running groups have gained popularity as a space for people to find community, both in person and online.

There are dozens of clubs for runners of all skill levels that Boston.com readers have recommended in recent years, from the laid-back 1.5 Run Club to the Boston Bulldogs. There’s also the Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Running Collaborative (BRC), which launched in 2022 and aims to promote the diverse running community in the region, with a focus on providing access and resources to communities of color.

With nearly 50,000 #runclub posts on TikTok, these groups serve to champion fitness goals and encourage its members to build bonds.

This is especially true for Darius Hines, founder and organizer of Last Lap Boston Run Club. Hines moved to Boston in March of this year, and all it took was one post to help him find community in the new city.

“I just made a TikTok video, kind of asking where the running clubs were and the video got about 25,000 views, and then people just telling me to start one,” said Hines. “I gathered up a small group of people…from the comments, and we met up for dinner one day and put a plan into action.”

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Less than two months old, Last Lap is building its social media presence on Instagram and TikTok to promote the Saturday meetups.

“Big shout out to TikTok because that was the biggest momentum push,” said Hines. “I just took all the people who liked and commented on the video and pushed them to our Instagram page, and then the Instagram algorithm is kind of doing its thing as well.”

The run club had a turnout of around 100 people at their first event, which Hines attributes to the help of social media. Hines and the other organizers are active on other social media platforms, encouraging viewers and followers to run, walk, and make new friends.

Last Saturday, the women-led run club TrailblazHers held their annual Bra Run, an initiative created to encourage women to run just as they are, rejecting what society defines as a “running body.”

“The Bra Run was created because of my own insecurities not wanting to go out and run in a sports bra,” said one of the co-founders, Liz Rock. “We get together once a year for the Bra Run to celebrate our body, celebrate community, celebrate sisterhood, celebrate safe spaces.” She said the Bra Run birthed TrailblazHers.

With 34 chapters in 18 countries, Achilles International provides programming for athletes of different ages and physical abilities with workouts and training for endurance events.

Achilles Boston chapter lead and two-time Paralympian Joe LeMar can attest to just how important this organization is for athletes of all abilities.

“This is an organization that I wish that I had around when I was still competing,” said LeMar.

Raised in Brockton, LeMar had a passion for running since he was young.

“I think my parents would tell you that I started running before I could start crawling,” joked LeMar.

However, a tumor that developed in his foot in middle school led to multiple surgeries and the amputation of a big toe. Nevertheless, that did not stop LeMar from chasing after his goals.

During high school, LeMar continued running cross country and track and field. Just three weeks after winning the New England Indoor title in the mile, LeMar had his foot amputated.

“It was something that drove me that entire time to finish things on a high note,” said LeMar.

Staying safe

The potential to be targeted while on a run is a reality for many women. Last year, Adidas surveyed 9,000 runners, and 92% of women reported feeling concerned for their safety.

While TrailblazHers co-founder Abeo Powder said runners should share their location and notify someone they are close to before and after running, the group encourages athletes not to live in fear.

“[W]e deserve safety,” said Powder. “The responsibility should not be placed on whether we are moving about at a particular time. The responsibility is placed on people acting right and understanding that we should be able to move our bodies however and whenever.”

Bridging the gap

“One of our big components is meeting people where they’re at,” said Powder. “[W]e decided to create TrailblazHers as a safe space for women, particularly BIPOC women, to know that they’re safe and moving their bodies and moving together as one.”

Since its inception, TrailblazHers has seen how the community of women has restored confidence in their athletes.

“We’ve had women who’ve now gone back to school because of the confidence that they got from TrailblazHers. We’ve had people leave sh***y relationships because of the confidence that they’ve gotten through TrailblazHers,” said Powder. “It’s a give and take from the community who is giving leadership confidence, and then we’re creating these spaces to give confidence as well.”

At their meet ups twice a week, LeMar encourages first-timers to Achilles Boston to come as they are.

“Being active is for everybody, no matter your ability level. There’s a way to go out there and be a part of our organization and have just an incredible time,” said LeMar. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in an electric wheelchair, coming out and walking, just getting that social aspect from it, and everything else is something that we strive for.”

Connecting generations and establishing an environment where people are not intimidated, but instead embraced and encouraged to be around one another is a part of Last Lap’s mission.

“There’s no pressure for you to feel like you need to run a marathon,” said Hines. “People come and they just walk the whole two miles and we encourage them the whole way, because even that takes a lot.”