Just Start Run Club began at Swan Yard in Knowle, the plan was a simple 5K run followed by a coffee. I had no idea what I was doing or where this would go. There was no big goal I just wanted to bring people together through running.
My name’s Ant, I started the club because I couldn’t find many social run clubs in Solihull. I also saw it as a personal challenge. Like many, I’ve dealt with social anxiety, and putting myself out there in this way was a step toward a positive change.
When we started, the numbers were small - at the first run there was six runners. One week just one person turned up. But by staying consistent and showing up every Saturday morning, the club slowly started to grow. Word spread through Instagram and the community.
What makes Just Start different is the sense of community. While we run and celebrate PB’s, it’s the social side that brings people back. Many of our members have formed friendships, supported each other through races/challenges, and built connections that go far beyond running. We’ve seen people who were struggling find a sense of belonging and support here, which means a lot. It’s changed people’s lives but also my own.
We marked our first birthday with our most attended solo run to date - a moment that reflected how far we’d come as a run club. But really, we’re just getting started.
Our aim is to be a positive and lasting part of running in Solihull. We have plenty of ideas for the future, and we’re excited to keep growing as a community.
Why Just Start?
Run club was built out of self doubt, fear and procrastination. I had the idea 12 months before starting. It took me another 3 months before we had our first run.
I had a list of names but found a problem with all of them. After seeking advice from podcasts and people I knew had done similar things, the advice was always the same. “just start”.
So I set a date and just started.
I now live by this. If I’m working on a project that feels too big I choose the smallest step and take it. I do the same with running if I don’t want to go, I get changed and put my running shoes on.
Every journey begins with a single step..
JUST START !!
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