Story by Lauren Mantha

 

I started running for The Million Reasons Run, May 2023 and pledged to run 31km total in 31 days. This created a new habit of running at least 1km every day.

 

It progressed to 2km every other day, then eventually I was running 5km and soon enough I surpassed my 31km goal. The Million Reasons Run ended but I was left with a new passion. That’s when I started making bigger running goals for myself! I continued running alone and completed the Toronto Waterfront half marathon in October. It wasn’t until November that year that I joined my first run club (which if you know me, is a big part of my life now!).

 

Running to me means community, commitment, resilience and growth. I have grown so much because of running and its community. I wanted to make sure other people could have the same opportunity and to make the community more accessible.

 

This inspired me to create arunninglist.com, a website that helps you easily find a run club near you, worldwide!

 

Being part of a run club gave me so much! The value I have gained from running and diving head first into the running community and run clubs is immeasurable. It has given me lifelong friends, confidence, accountability and motivation. Since running with others and being a part of the community, I have never felt more at home in this big city.

 

Running together is about building relationships, being accountable to yourself and others and having a sense of community in a space outside of personal life and work. Yes, I show up to run because I love to run, but I also show up for everyone who supports and inspires me.