Navigating New Cities Post-Grad Through Running Clubs
Graphic by Evelyn Crothall
It is a truth universally acknowledged that upon reaching your mid 20s, you must embark on one of three journeys: graduate school, marriage or marathon training.
Graduate school extends the buffer period between the real world and college life, making it a tempting choice to further your education before fully embracing the nine-to-five life. Marriage and starting a family in your mid 20s is common, but it requires a successful relationship and the willingness to make sacrifices, unlike the single lifestyle. Grad school and marriage are both expensive and come with their own challenges, leaving young adults with one last choice: run club.
To the Class of 2025, I humbly pitch running as your new source of fulfillment. I encourage you to reap the social benefits in a new city by joining like-minded individuals to form a community. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the city and meet people for free. Well, running is free until you get the marathon itch, and, trust me, you will get the marathon itch.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie aspect of running,” said Tor Rothrock, co-founder of the Santa Clara Run Club. Rothrock enjoys the social aspect of running and developed his passion in high school track because he could “explore new places” in Seattle, and he found practice days “rewarding.” The Santa Clara Run Club strives to create a welcoming environment by posting their routes beforehand so runners can choose which distance best matches their ability.
Running serves as a common ground for young people and fosters community. Young adults wandering aimlessly through new cities post-graduation often look towards running as a means of making friends and forming a healthy workout routine. After graduation, Rothrock plans on “running for fun and to stay fit” and will hopefully “be a part of a social run club” in San Francisco or another city. Running proves to be the ultimate and final frontier for the urban transplant who does not have a ton of spending money.
I enjoy running as a break from my school work and a way to familiarize myself with the surrounding area. I highly recommend running outside to benefit mental health. Accomplishing training goals creates a sense of achievement and brings joy in a novel way. My personal journey with running has been altered by knee injuries, but after moving past them, I am fortunate enough to still enjoy running and reach new personal records.
While a running club might carry an entrance fee, and quality running shoes are advisable, these initial investments pay off in social and health returns. While new cities offer new opportunities to meet people and socialize, running clubs bring together like-minded people who value the many benefits of running. Because of this, running becomes the last free activity that the mid-20s demographic can find community in. Even if you have not tried running, I encourage you to try and resist giving up if it doesn’t immediately work out.
Running is not the only hobby, but it can serve as an incredible source of achievement in a period of uncertainty and change such as entry to adulthood.