A Run Club Revolution
Every month, we celebrate and feature a woman who went for it, bringing their vision and passion to life. While their businesses and projects vary — they all have battled through self-doubt, jumped before fully ready and embarked on entrepreneurship while simultaneously carrying a heavy load specially reserved for modern mothers.
For summer, we are chatting with Renee Quinn, founder of the 1013 Run Club — a community of back-of-the-pack runners who are looking for a run club that isn’t so damn fast.
As a self-proclaimed back-of-the-pack runner herself, Renee wanted to create a run club where slower runners felt seen and comfortable but also provided serious, committed training. Inspired by her typical running pace range (between 10 and 13 minute miles), the club gained its name. She teamed up with Bird & Bear Collective in Holliston, MA to give the group an official home base.
We chatted with Renee about empowering all runners and how to get over the “I’m not a real runner” mentality, plus the big year the 1013 Run Club has had.
Tell us about the inspiration behind the 1013 run club. Where did the idea come from and what did you hope to build?
The 1013 Run Club was founded in June of 2022 in Holliston, Massachusetts to provide an inclusive, community-based running organization that empowers all people to participate in the sport of running in pursuit of enjoyment, health, well-being and competition, with a special emphasis on new, returning, and ‘back-of-the-pack’ runners. As a life-long back-of-the-pack runner, I found it challenging to find a run club that was both serious and slower, so she built the community on her own!
We love the nod to more of the back of the pack runners. Why was this important to highlight in the club's name?
It was critical to highlight the nod to back-of-the-pack runners in our name because we truly wanted it to be in your face - to have no doubts or hesitations that this club was for you!
Do you think the sport of running or even marketing of running (run clubs, races) can be intimidating for slower or new runners? Do you think there is movement towards more inclusivity?
I think unintentionally, yes. Oftentimes, runners of all abilities even hesitate to call themselves runners if they're not on the faster side, therefore they just assume that X brand or running club is off limits to them. Running is running is running - you are a runner. Whether you're walk/running, jogging, taking two months off to rest your legs and only walking. You are a runner. Only you can claim that title, and I think a lot of running companies are acknowledging fear that back-of-the-pack runners have and working hard to demonstrate more inclusivity in the space. Marathon Sports and New Balance are great brand examples of this. Both brands work hard to make all runners, of all abilities, feel included. Here's a great campaign by New Balance called RUN YOUR WAY. We feel this in our bones here at the 1013 Run Club!
Since founding the club, what are some highlights you've witnessed among the community?
Where do I even begin! Let's just start by acknowledging everyone in the club who was scared to death to join a run club, BUT STILL SHOWED UP. The hardest part is just getting started, so this has been the #1 highlight for me. I've witnessed non-runners become runners, to then become 5k-ers, to then run marathons. The confidence you can build by just showing up and starting, being in community with other like-minded runners, is incredible. I see it every time we're together!
Have there been any challenges?
Formalizing a non-profit, community-based organization, is no small feat. There is a lot of paperwork, liability waivers, and money to get the 1013 Run Club up and running. As of January 2024, we are an official run club of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). There are a lot of benefits to joining this association, but it's a long and slow process. I am proud of the board for accomplishing this earlier in the year. I would say that has been our largest hurdle thus far.
On a personal level, what has running done and meant to you during your life?
I reevaluate this question often. Running can mean something different to me in various seasons of my life. Right now, running is my mental and physical outlet. It helps me think clearer, feel healthier, and gives me quality time with some of my greatest friends. I've always felt that I fell in love with running because it wasn't (and still isn't) very easy for me. I have to work hard at it, and there is nothing better than going out for a 10-mile run, accomplishing something that challenging, before the day has even started. It makes everything else in life feel a little less hard and I think we could all use an outlet like that in our lives.
Your community is more than just group runs. What other things are members offered? We LOVE a good party and meeting other runners across MetroWest! Aside from our weekly scheduled runs, we host celebrations for club members and the club, meet-ups with other local run clubs, and create teams for local races. It's been so much fun connecting with run club members outside of our week-to-week runs. It's an incredible group of humans and I feel lucky to do life with them. Oh, and we're frequent coffee drinkers at our local coffee shop, Coffee Haven. We're fueled by bagels and lattes!
What would you tell someone who was interested in joining but was worried they might be slow or too out of shape?
First, I hear you and see you. I felt like that for years, but I can confidently say that the hardest part was just showing up. My advice would be to set very small goals around this milestone of just showing up - maybe the first night your goal is to just meet the run club members and walk a mile! Gives you a chance to practice the showing up part. Second night, it's the same, except maybe you meet even more new people before we take off and then you walk/run one mile.
What are your hopes for the future of the 1013 run club? Any plans to expand to other areas?
This year was a big year for us, becoming an official run club of the RRCA, establishing a board of governors. Operationally, we're going to continue to flush that out and sit in that accomplishment for a while. We're always looking to welcome new members, and we've added three new members since our big 2nd Birthday Bash in May. I think it would be pretty cool to add 12 new members this year (I have a thing for even numbers!).
What would you say to a woman who wanted to go for it and start a community or club of their own?
Go see Erin at the Bird & Bear Collective in downtown Holliston, Mass. Too far away? Then Zoom with her! All jokes aside, we feel so lucky that Erin has mentored our growth as a run club, championed our mission, and created a home for all of us at the Bird & Bear Collective. My best advice would be a theme you're hearing a lot in this article - just begin. An example of what not to do: I was panicked that I didn't have a logo for the run club when we held our first run. How could I possibly start a run club unless all my ducks were in a row?! Looking back, that's a very silly thought. You do not need a logo to make something official. Creating a home base for your run club is probably your first priority. Is there a local retail store, fitness facility, or coffee shop in your town that you could partner with? Start there...and then call Erin!