#Voices: Look no further for your solemate. 👟
What do runners do when they forget something?
They jog their memory. Puns aside, we’re talking running today.
If you need a little extra motivation to kick you into gear when it comes to exercising – or you’re just looking for an active community to join – this is the email for you.
None of the COLAteam considers themselves avid runners, so we collaborated with local runner Chelsea Baker – former UofSC cross country runner who’s training to qualify for the Boston Marathon – to compile this list of 5 running clubs around Columbia. 🏃
Columbia Running Club emerged 20 years ago with the idea of encouraging Soda Citizens to participate in local running events. Insert: Tour de Columbia – where you get points for running in races around town + then celebrate with an awards ceremony (and bragging rights) at the end of the year. They also host group runs every Saturday morning, at 5:45 a.m. + 7 a.m., starting at Starbucks in Five Points.
F3 is a fitness, fellowship + faith-based running group for guys only. It first originated as a free Saturday morning boot camp held in Charlotte, N.C. – but has since expanded to a nationwide program. The free running groups are designed for guys of all fitness levels + are organized to keep the entire group together during the workout. They meet rain or shine, hot or cold. Check out their new guy guide to get started.
👟Females in Action (FiA)
Females in Action is a female-only running group which was formed in response to F3. It operates with no leader, per se – but rather led by all of the girls who show up to run. In the Midlands, they have 3 groups: Downtown Columbia, Lexington + Lake Murray – all of which offer multiple running workouts per week. It’s free + all paces are welcome. See the weekly schedule here.
Fleet Feet specializes in getting you started on your fitness journey – whether you’ve been a couch potato for the last year or do 5Ks for fun every weekend. Their main goal is to help create a healthier South Carolina, one pair of feet at a time. Their running club covers all levels, every surface + any distance, all run by knowledgeable coaches. Every Tuesday night, 6:30-8 p.m. they meet for a group run at Irmo Community Park.
If you’re just thinking about running (they’ll fit you for the perfect running shoe), or if you’re interested in signing up for an upcoming race to kick you into gear – Strictly Running does it all. They motivate you with their free pizza run on the last Wednesday of every month (will run 4 miles for pizza at the finish line). And they have an Endurance Training Group to get you all the resources + training you need to complete whatever type of race you’re interested in. Check out their full calendar for a list of events they host + sponsor.
We never make it to a finish line without y’all’s help – so if we missed your favorite run club in the Midlands, let us know so we can add it to the list.
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