For our Q3 Newsletter we decided to do things a little differently, instead of highlighting specific runners, we wanted to highlight groups this go around. 

We believe this will allow us to connect our readers more easily with clubs and groups in their areas, and contribute to a healthier and more unified running community! 

We have 8 groups highlighted in this newsletter, but there are plenty more for you to connect with, to find a group in your area head to our website and we hope to see you out there!

Who are you?

Claire Blanton

What is your group/club?

Anderson Run Club

Where do you meet and when?

Our weekly group runs include everything from Tuesday night hill repeats and Saturday long runs on the SRT to our original Thursday night pub run. Each year, a large group of ARC runners also travels to an out-of-town or out-of-state race for what we like to call an ARC-racation!

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

Back in February 2021, Anderson was lacking a community running club, so the idea of URC Anderson was born. What started as a simple Thursday night downtown pub run with just 11 runners at our very first gathering has grown into an incredible running community with five weekly group runs and more than 2,600 followers on Facebook!

In 2025, we transitioned to ARC—Anderson Run Club—to better align with our local community and embrace the addition of some of the great trails Anderson has to offer.

But ARC is about so much more than running. We are proud to be a strong and supportive running community that also believes in serving the community we call home. Throughout the year, we volunteer with organizations serving the unhoused, donate shoes and clothing, participate in community trash cleanups, and find other ways to give back.

We also love to have fun! Throughout the year, we host events like our no Donut Challenge, Beer Mile, Root Beer Mile for the kids, 5K marathons, and more.

What are your future plans for the club?

Looking ahead to 2027, ARC is excited to travel to Oak Island for their race series and expand our disciplines by creating a bike team for the Alzheimer’s Association July Ride Across the State.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner, just getting started, or simply looking for a fun and welcoming community, everyone is welcome at ARC! If you’re interested in joining us or learning more about our group runs and upcoming events, please check out the links below.

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Facebook

Strava

Instagram

Introduce yourself and how you started running

I’m Frank Kachinski. I was firmly convinced that I was never going to become “a runner.” Then I accidentally stumbled into a run group one day and never really left. I initially came with the expectation of a one time visit, but I kept coming back because of the people and the community surrounding it 

What is your group/club?

Alicia Foley and I currently host the Fountain Inn Run Group. We think of it less as a formal club and more as a community hangout where running happens to be the thing that brings everyone together. On any given Tuesday, we may have walkers, brand-new runners, stroller pushers, weekend warriors, people training for their first race, and ultrarunners who think 100 miles sounds reasonable. Some run together, some do their own thing, and occasionally some come just to hang out. It all counts. 

Where do you meet and when?

We meet every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at The Mill in Fountain Inn.

The route is a consistent, mostly flat, paved out-and-back with only two road crossings, both at crosswalks. Because it is an out-and-back, everyone can choose the distance and pace that works for them. You can cut it short, extend it, walk it, run it, or whatever.

There is no registration or membership requirement. Just show up. The Mill is also a great spot with several food and drink options, so people usually get there early and stick around afterward—which is honestly as important to the group as the run itself.

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

We were only a small part of getting this one started. Run groups have added a tremendous amount to our lives, and we wanted more people to have the opportunity to experience that. We still visit and support other local groups; hosting this one simply gives people another night, another location, and another community to join.

What keeps us going is watching what happens when people keep showing up. They make friends, become more active, train for things they never imagined doing, lose weight, gain confidence, and generally become healthier and happier. Run groups seem to create a remarkably one-directional arrow: people join, and their lives tend to get better. We love this!

As long as people keep showing up and having a good time, we’ll keep being there.

What are your future plans for the club?

The group already has the casual, welcoming personality we hoped for, so our main plan is not to overengineer it or mess up a good thing. We want it to continue growing naturally while remaining a place where a first-timer can arrive alone and quickly feel like part of the group.

We’ll occasionally add special events, shoe demos, giveaways, and other fun reasons to gather, but the foundation will remain simple: show up Tuesday, do whatever works for you, and enjoy time with friends.

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Follow @fountaininnrungroup on Facebook and Instagram, or join the Fountain Inn Run Group club on Strava. We have posted plenty of pictures, videos, route maps, etc.

Introduce yourself and how you started running

Forward Training was originally co-founded by our two good friends, Wes Cannon and Lucas Williams. At the beginning of this year, Wes had to step away to focus on his family and newfound business. Similarly, at the beginning of the summer Lucas and his spouse moved to Charlotte to be closer to family. Since then, Ian Thompson and Gabe Garcia have taken the reins from Lucas and Wes and help lead the group with the assistance of several other friends.

Our running journeys started a little differently. Ian ran cross-country (not well) in high school 19 years ago, and then stopped running entirely while he played lacrosse in college. About 4 years ago, he got talked into doing the Monuments 10k in Richmond, and discovered the addiction that is running, the community that supports it, and the rest, as they say, is history. Gabe is a newbie to running and picked it up as a way to meet new people, before quickly falling in love with it.

What is your group/club?

Our group is Forward Training and it originally began meeting up Tuesday afternoons in front of Lululemon in downtown Greenville, before moving our workouts to the track at GVL High. 

Where do you meet and when?

We meet every Friday morning (rain or shine) at GVL High at 6am. We do a quick briefing beforehand to get everyone on the same page about that day’s workout, then start the workout promptly at 6am.

Ultimately, all paces are welcome. There will always be someone to run with and someone to cheer you on each Friday.  

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

The purpose of Forward is to bring together a collective of like minded runners, athletes, and goal driven individuals, with the goal of helping one another to push further and support one another in pursuit of our respective goals. In essence, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Or simply put, “Iron sharpens iron.” 

Honestly it’s the community that keeps us going. The running community in GVL is unmatched. Seeing new people join each week, share their stories and goals, and letting us be part of their journey is incredibly empowering and impactful. Running is a team sport, and the hardest miles are made easier with friends.

What are your future plans for the club?

We have several ideas in motion, but for now the primary goals remain the same. Continue to support and push one another –several of our members have races coming up this Fall, such as The Chicago Marathon, The Augusta Half Ironman, Spinx Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, and Hyrox Nashville.

Towards the end of the summer we are looking to organize a 5k to help fundraise for the group (Greenville High charges us an annual fee of $1000 to use the track + insurance) and in the Fall we will be leading longer runs on the weekends 9s@9… At least 9 mile runs beginning at 9:00am. 

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Follow us along on Strava and Instagram! @forward.training is the handle.

On Strava we have a recurring event set up for Friday mornings, and that’s where we post announcements regarding pop-up events, races, or workouts. On IG we post the Friday morning track workout to our story 24hrs before, to give our members an idea of what’s to come.

Introduce yourself and how you started running

Seth Novak--- always been into hiking and backpacking but starting running in my 30's as a more consistent way to get cardio. 

What is your group/club?

-Rockers Run Club--- Started in 2016 as a partnership between Rockers Brewing Company and PAL Spartanburg as a way to initiate growth in an active community in town.

Where do you meet and when?

We meet every Tuesday at 6 PM at Rockers Brewing Company downtown Spartanburg.

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

I did not start it, but took it over about 5 years ago and decided to see what I could do to grow the community. So I started putting some extra effort into making folks feel welcome and recognizing the achievements of folks in the club. I added a number of themed nights... Hawaiian shirt night...'Murica Night.... the Halloween Chase the Clown run to just name a few. These nights are great for building community and showing Spartanburg how much fun we have! 

What are your future plans for the club?

Just keep doing what we are doing.

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Facebook

Strava

Introduce yourself

My name is Andy Anderson and I lead the Wednesday Group run from Double Stamp Brewery 

What is your group/club?

My group is the SRT URC Club run, also known as Dub Club. We originally met at Brewery 85, the old starting spot for the Brewery Series races. When Brewery 85 closed their doors we moved to Double Stamp Brewery and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. 

Where do you meet and when?

We meet every Wednesday at 6 PM at Double Stamp Brewery. The group runs an out-and-back on the Swamp Rabbit Trail and hangs out afterwards. 

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

I inherited the club many years ago and have met many wonderful people through the club. The people are what keep it going. We have a very friendly and welcoming group of runners who show up every week and if it wasn't for them this club would have disappeared a long time ago.

What are your future plans for the club?

We host a handful of special events throughout the year from shoe demos to the always amazing Christmas cookie exchange but for the most part I plan on keeping it simple and enjoying the camaraderie of Greenville's running community. 

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Facebook

Instagram

Introduce yourself and how you started running

I am a human and started running initially by moving my feet back and forth really fast. 

More specifically, I am Sebastian F Smith, I was originally born in Bakersfield, California but grew up in the Middle East and have either been to or lived in 28 different countries and 36 states. I got my start in running from my parents who are themselves marathoners and track coaches; in many words I didn’t have a chance! 

What is your group/club?

My fiancé Erin and I manage the Tuesday Night Paris Mountain Trail Club. While we’ve lead trail night for about a year at this point, the group really originated with Bill Linn and a park policy to stay open later on Tuesdays.  

Where do you meet and when?

While our specific meeting location moves throughout the year, you can catch us on Tuesdays at 6pm in Paris Mountain State Park. Check our Facebook or Strava group for specific meeting details the Monday before a run!  

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

While I cannot take credit for starting the club, what keeps me inspired are the many moods of the mountain! The trails change so much with every season, making it an all new experience again and again.

What are your future plans for the club?

We plan to keep building an inclusive, supportive environment for trail runners of all abilities, and maybe a collaboration or two with Piney! 

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Follow us in Upstate SC Trail Running on Facebook and Strava! All paces welcome, run, hike, crawl, we do it all. 

Introduce yourself and how you started running

Aimee Trepanier

Running and I found each other out of necessity, but entirely by accident. The honest truth is that I went home to visit my grandparents one weekend and had gained enough weight that my grandmother actually thought I was pregnant. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and knew I needed to take control of my body.

After that trip, I joined the local gym in my college town and started running on the treadmill simply because I didn't know how to do anything else. I figured running was simple and anyone could do it—so I started. That first step led to a local 5K with dogs, which led to a half marathon, then full marathons, and eventually ultra-distances. It was in ultrarunning that I truly found my love for the sport and discovered everything it both gives and takes from us. 

What is your group/club?

The Washington Street Run Club

The Washington Street Run Club was born from a similar spirit of initiative. Having worked at Run In Greenville for over five years, people frequently asked why the shop didn’t have a run club. It didn’t make sense not to have one, but no one else seemed to have the passion to spearhead it. I finally asked Dane, the owner of Run In Greenville, if he was on board. He gave me the green light, needing someone to "run" with it—and that I did.

Where do you meet and when?

• When: Every Tuesday at 6:00 PM (Rain or shine)

• Where: Run In Greenville

• Distance: 3 miles

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

I started this club because I wanted a place where everyone feels like they belong. I know what it feels like to show up to a group knowing no one, feeling nervous, and being new to the sport while just wanting a bit of community and a friend or two. Having been to many run clubs that rarely felt welcoming, I wanted to design one where there is always a spot for whoever shows up.

“We don’t run fast, we run for fun, and we run together. We will always wait for you—not because we feel like we have to, but because we want to run side by side with you.”

Running is so much more than just physical exercise; it connects us to ourselves, the world, and others. It builds family, provides a source of power and confidence, and teaches valuable life lessons. The desire to better myself, uplift my community, and serve as a reliable light during dark times is what keeps me going.

What are your future plans for the club?

While we do not have rigid, defined future plans, our primary goal remains simple: to always be there for the community however we can.

I love partnering with brands, local businesses, and community partners—such as our collaborations with Junkyard Fitness—to host fun events and informational sessions. My objective is to provide people with what they need, both physically and personally. Whether it is fun, community, knowledge, or an outlet, the Washington Street Run Club will always strive to be that space.

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

• Strava: Washington Street Run Club

• Instagram: Run In Greenville

• Instagram (Aimee): @aimee433443

Introduce yourself and how you started running

My name is Bennie Waddell. I am a Greenville native and lifelong resident of the area. About

10 years ago I became sober through a 12 Step program. Friendships and encouragement from that experience led me back to running, something I enjoyed doing earlier in my life.

What is your group/club?

I lead the Simpsonville URC Run Group. It formed out of a small neighborhood group of runners 4 years ago shortly after the Run In Simpsonville location opened.

Where do you meet and when?

We meet every Thursday evening at 6PM at the Run In store in Simpsonville.

Why did you start this club and what keeps you going?

Basically I linked the small group of runners to URC so we could promote our activities to a bigger audience. I knew there was a healthy presence of local runners in Simpsonville but had no idea it would grow into such a large community so quickly.

What are your future plans for the club?

We will continue to have shoe demos, raffles and fun inclusive activities that are safe and inclusive for all runners and walkers.

How can we follow along and see updates? Strava/Facebook/Instagram?

Facebook: We RUN IN Simpsonville

Strava:We Run In Simpsonville

Strength Training for Runners: How to Make It Actually Help Your Running

Hunter Pickens, PT, DPT, UESCA

Doctor of Physical Therapy & Certified Running Coach