Support Us Button Widget

What is that Greenville Run Club I’m seeing all over social media and is it worth the hype?

Hundreds of runners meet at The Commons to run to Cancer Survivors Park and back every Monday night for Greenville Run Club.

GVL_Run_Club_Lead_Photo_AUG2024

Come for the fitness, stay for the friends.

Photo by Caleb Estell for @runclub_gville

If you’re between The Commons, Unity Park, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and Cancer Survivors Park on a Monday night, it’s hard to miss the hundreds of people running, jogging, and walking a three-mile loop. If you haven’t seen the Run Club in person, they may have crossed your social media feeds.

This social running group, seemingly, exploded overnight.

City Editor Danielle here. After Run Club took over my friends’ Instagram stories this summer, I laced up my Hokas and went to see what the hype was about. As someone who does not run — I expected to stop by, grab some content, and never return again. Now, I’m a weekly Run Club attendee.

GVL_Run_Club_Ashley_Pearson_AUG2024

Ashley Pearson + co-partner Jake Thayer organize Greenville Run Club together.

Photo by Caleb Estell via @runclub_gville

“When it blew up this year, it was so sweet, but it was never my goal for it to get this big,” Run Club founder Ashley Pearson told me. “There are so many different body shapes, ages, and physical abilities just here to move their bodies and find community.”

Run Club started in March 2023 and lasted until daylight saving time ended. Each week, a group of 15-20 runners would hit the trail, and the same number returned in March 2024.

GVL_Run_Club_GIF_AUG2024

March 2024 to August 2024 | Photos via @runclub_gville

Between word-of-mouth and social media, the club grew from 15 runners in March to an average of 300+ in August. With the increased interest, Pearson hopes to keep the club running through the winter months.

So far, Greenville Run Club’s record is ~350 people. We have ~80,000 subscribers. We challenge you to come out on Monday, Aug. 26 outside Pangaea Brewing at 6:45 p.m. to make it the Run Club’s biggest week yet. Come find me, say hello, and grab a — very exclusive — GVLtoday sticker.

More from GVLtoday
Here’s how you can turn your old photos and records into a piece of Greenville history.
We think it might be time for GVL to get a flag of its own.
We’re sharing 10+ spots for watching sports in Greenville.
As “Top Chef” kicks off its filming, with plans to shoot in Greenville, alumni of the show and other fan-favorite television chefs are descending on our city for the 20th annual euphoria festival.
Directly north, east, south, and west of GVL, cities across the world await.
From Luke Bryan to The Lumineers, get your tickets to these upcoming concerts in Greenville before they sell out.
It’s been 40 years since Connie Payne had her wedding dress preserved at a Greenville dry cleaner (that has since closed). When she pulled out the dress for her daughter to try on ahead of her 2026 wedding, it wasn’t her dress.
From tailor-made clothes to craft beverages — try these experiences curated specifically to your needs.
We asked where you’d put one in GVL, and you sent in your ideas.
The bread type is reaching new heights in popularity, and we’re here to help you find the best loaves in GVL, or start making your own.