MIAMI — More people than ever before are trading cocktails for cardio — swapping the dance floor for the pavement and finding community at the “club.”

According to Strava, participation in run clubs has surged 59% globally in recent years. Nowhere is that more obvious than right here in South Florida. Every week, our streets turn into a sea of sneakers — massive groups take over the pavement for scenic runs across South Florida.

“It’s more like a run family where we check up on each other,” said Michelle Tran, of Miami Run Club.

“(It’s the) hustle culture … and we’re here to have a good time,” said Miami Run Club founder, Emmanuel Pinillos.

There are dozens of run clubs that advertise across social media platforms in virtually every city in the area, gathering several times a week — running together and yet alone.

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME RUN CLUBS IN SOUTH FLORIDA:

Local 10 linked up with Miami Run Club, a group that started as a small idea during the COVID pandemic.

“The first official run was myself and two close friends,” Pinillos said. “I kept posting about it on Instagram and it attracted people with similar mindsets.”

What started as a handful of runners every now and then has exploded into crowds of regular runners on the route.

Clubs like Brickell Run Club, going strong for 15 years, continue to pack the streets of downtown Miami as well. The crowd size sometimes swells up into the thousands.

Groups are also growing in Broward, with the Lauderdale Run Club. Dozens of clubs now work together, meeting up several times a week. The vibe is part party, part training, and all community.

The best part? It’s free. No fees. No fancy gear required. Just a pair of sneakers and the willingness to show up. For many, it’s become a place where strangers turn into friends — and friends become family.

Pavement Parties: South Florida’s record-breaking run club scene

About The Author

Andrew Perez

Related Stories

Hundreds enjoy being part of Lauderdale Run Club on Sunday mornings