Gavin Richards created an instagram page called Tucson Run Club in the spring of 2024.
His hope was to grow the page and unite a community of runners. He had seen it done before when his friends in Hawaii created the North Shore Run Club Instagram account.
Within a couple of years, they had 4,000 followers.
There are similar stories as this idea gains popularity in cities worldwide, including Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Richards didn’t see why Tucson couldn’t have a run club of its own so he made an Instagram page.
And then nothing, He got distracted and the page lay dormant.
That is until Ben Tighe found it. He had the same intentions in making an account but saw the name Tucson Run Club was being used by Richards.
Tighe reached out to team up and the strangers met for coffee. They discussed what a run club could be and how it could impact the community.
It was their similar life stories that sealed the deal.
Richards came to Tucson shortly after graduating from Ball State University in Indiana to pursue his career in medical sales. Tighe did the same after graduating from The College of Idaho; he now works in land development.
Upon their move to Tucson they both struggled to build meaningful relationships outside of work. Both have active lifestyles, grew up playing team sports and enjoying movement and exercise. They missed having people to do this alongside.
Since the club’s beginnings, Richards and Tighe were determined to create a space, free of charge, for local runners of all levels. But more than that, they wanted it to be a place where people could make connections with like-minded individuals — something Richards and Tighe needed for themselves.
Apparently, they weren’t the only ones; they now have 9,000 followers on Instagram.
Tucson Run Club launched in the spring through an Instagram account; it now has 9,000 followers.
“You need three parts in life in my opinion to really feel good. You’ve got your work, you’re got your family life, and you’ve got your friends… As soon as I met Tighe and we hit it off, he’s a really great guy … I met some other really good friends in the group and I thought wow, this is what I really wanted and needed” said Gavin.
The Tucson Run Club meets twice a week. Meeting times vary depending on the time of year so the Instagram (@tucsonrunclub) updates regularly with accurate information. As runners arrive, there is a short social period where people stretch, introduce themselves to new faces and catch up with those they’ve met in previous weeks.
The group runs 1.5 miles in one direction, takes a short break at the turn-around point and runs 1.5 miles back to the spot they started.
During the run, expect to hear all kinds of conversations as you’re surrounded by so many runners of all skill levels and all ages, young. There are no expectations and no judgment. Participants make the three miles whatever they want it to be.
“That’s the good thing about the group; we are runners, we are walkers, we are hanger outers… make it what you want” says Richards as he describes the culture of the club.
Johnny Ramos and his giant Dalmatian Canyon are regulars at the run club. Ramos has experience as a cyclist but has only been running seriously for the last four months. He recently completed his first ultramarathon, a grueling 100-mile race, which he credits to the support of his run club friends.
“Take a leap of faith. There’s a weird culture about it being embarrassing to try and make an attempt. Things like getting in shape, doing better at work and finding friends,a ” Tighe says. “That holds people back and I think that’s a stigma that needs to get squashed. Go talk to that person, go say hello, you might not ever see them again, or maybe you’ll see them a lot.”
Runners arrive at the run club with time to socialize and connect with like minded people in the community.
Ramos describes the people he’s met as being people who are eager to better themselves, not only by upping their speed and endurance on the trail, but in all aspects of life. He’s met athletes who have a zeal for life who motivate him to challenge himself.
Join Tucson Run Club by showing up to one of their scheduled runs. Follow the Instragram @tucsonrunclub to see updates about times and locations. Their following continues to grow as they form partnerships with other local businesses and organizations, growing their network in Tucson and offering more opportunities for run club members.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
