The Run Things Run Club (#RTRC) launched on May 1st, promising to bridge the gap between mental and physical health whilst providing a fun, engaging and positive community for all runners.
Being entirely social media-based, the #RTRC will provide all the benefits a physical club can offer, but flexibly and remotely – it will be available worldwide!
Whilst physical running clubs are incredibly inclusive and welcoming, the #RTRC is there for runners too anxious to join a club, who do not know where to start or who lead a hectic lifestyle meaning they can’t commit to attending a physical club every week.
All #RTRC club members will receive a technical running club vest or tee shirt as part of their registration, as well as access to structured training programmes, a running coach, physios and other industry professionals.
Members will also get discounts from running partners and the opportunity to meet up at races and events across the country. Importantly, the RTRC will provide a safe and supportive environment that encourages all club members to speak out, seek support and offer care to each other.
Unapologetically different, the Run Things Run Club is organised by Run Things, the brainchild of Kevin Betts and Clare Rixon, who launched the hugely successful Run Up to Christmas (3,200 participants) and Run Around the World (2,200) virtual runs in aid of the mental health charity Mind, raising £20,000 in 2018. Clare and Kev are accidental organisers whose friendly, engaging and fun approach to their events has proved a hit with supporters.
“We set out to bring runners of all abilities together in virtual events to fundraise for Mind,” says Kev. “Things took off much quicker than we could have imagined.
More than that, we accidentally created an incredibly supportive community of runners who were inspired by their own mental health challenges or those of loved ones to engage in our events,” he says. “Our runners have shared some incredible stories about why they run and why they enjoy virtual events and our online community.
Some of their stories have been uplifting but others utterly heart-breaking. Common to all has been their appreciation of our hugely supportive community of runners which is what inspired us to formalise things as Run Things to bring people together.”
People can sign up to Run Things Run Club from March 1, 2019 at runthings.co.uk.