The Community EditionTHE RISE OF THE RUN CLUB
The days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting colder, but that does not mean it is time to hang up your running shoes. There are runners of all skill and experience levels running on trails, paths and sidewalks across the Waterloo Region throughout the winter. Regardless of skill level, running groups is a great way to meet new people, improve skills and explore the community.
Runner’s Choice Waterloo has hosted run groups for over 20 years. Today, it hosts two weekly run groups from its storefront at 55 Erb St. E. in Waterloo. The Beginners Group is on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and is a social run or walk ranging from two to five kilometers. Experienced runners can join the Fun Run Group, also on Mondays and Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Andrew Aguanno is a co-owner of Runner’s Choice Waterloo. He said there is often a stigma attached to running groups where people may not think they fit in, but the reality is much different.
“Some people hear ‘running club’ and think everyone’s going to be 100 pounds soaking wet and in amazing shape. But when you actually come to a running club, you see that runners come in every shape, size and age. I think that’s really encouraging and motivating for a lot of people to come out and see someone who looks just like you,” he said.
Aguanno added that going to a run group by yourself can be intimidating, so the store’s run group leaders work to make everyone feel welcome and included. He said he has dropped into running groups in Toronto and Vancouver, where he felt like an outsider, but that is not the case in Runner’s Choice running groups.
“Our groups are super friendly. Everyone is here to support each other. We want to be in that community hub where everyone is welcome and supported. We just want to share our love of the sport with everyone else and get as many people into it as we can,” he said.
Looking for a way to find a community was how Isabeau Glebe discovered the run groups at Runner’s Choice. Glebe took up running in the summer of 2024 as a way to connect with new people in the area.
“I was wondering, ‘How do adults make friends?’ That was what got me into running, and then I got absolutely hooked,” she said.
As Glebe made new friendships in the community, she said a few people suggested that there was a need for a women-centred run group. After researching, she realized it was something that did not exist at the time and started a women’s run group at Runner’s Choice. She quickly realized the group had potential to become a strong community and decided to launch Women Run Waterloo. The group hosts run throughout the week, including social and trail runs.
“Running itself leads to some awesome community building. But when you intersect that with the space of women in sport and exercise, it becomes this interesting community,” Glebe said.
In addition to building a community for women runners, Women Run Waterloo also supports women-owned businesses. Those businesses include LenJo Bakes, the Crumby Cookie Co, Camellia Bake Shop, and Glebe’s personal favourite: Four All Ice Cream.
“I’m a big fan of all things local, and we have awesome businesses in the area that are run by women. Once a month, we go and support a local women-run business to help raise awareness and have some really yummy treats,” she said.
There are run groups hosted throughout the Waterloo Region.
Here are a few to check out:
• Beechwood Runners
• WHYNOT Run Club
• Farm League Running Club
• Running Room Waterloo
• KW Trail Runners
• Run Waterloo
• Cambridge Harriers
• River Rats Run Club
• KW Run Club
#alexKinsella #andrewAguanno #beechwoodRunners #cambridgeHarriers #farmLeagueRunningClub #kitchenerWaterlooRunClub #kwTrailRunners #runWaterloo #runnersChoiceWaterloo #runningRoomWaterloo #waterlooRegion #whynotRunClub
