Running for a Connection
Everybody’s recovering with a cup of coffee at 8am on a Saturday morning. Even more likely, they haven’t woken up after a night out. Unless you’re Karlijn, or Sangitha, or one of the other hundred expats who lace up their Cloudmonsters and head outside to run through the streets of Paris. In a city usually known for arts, fashion, and gastronomy, running clubs have become a source of connection for those far away from home.
Celina, an Australian expat, knows this all too well. What started off as a casual run between her and her best friend turned into a club with over one hundred members each week. "I started Pretend Parisians because a sense of community is very important to me," she says. That was in March of last year, when the average turnout was four.
An Instagram reel that went viral is what made the club go from a few loyal members to a hundred. That, and the growing interest people have for running with others. Celina often asks herself what attracts someone to wake up every Saturday morning and do a 5K, and the answer might not be the obvious one. "I think it's because we’re a community of expats and we speak English. People come here feeling lonely, or lost, and find a group they can relate to." She also adds that their club is open to any pace, so it’s not intimidating for new runners. Making friends abroad can be challenging, but it becomes easier when you’re in a setting with a hundred other people who want the same thing as you, to connect.
It’s not only about running. Celina takes a lot of pride in the club’s tradition of going to a coffee shop at the end of the run. "We are particular with the ones we pick, so they cater to large groups and they’re good quality." Of course, it also helps to be friendly with the owners, since getting 140 clients at once on a weekend morning can be somewhat demanding. Sangitha was waiting in the long line when I started talking to her. She moved here from India five months ago and she came to the club to make new friends. The same motivation Karlijn had, who’s been in Paris for seven months and began using Pretend Parisians as a source of connection rather than exercise. "The run is fun, but I do my physical activity outside of the club. I go purely for the social time," she says. She’s met multiple of her friends this way, and finally feels like she’s part of something in a place that’s still foreign.
Jenna, the president of AUP’s running club, can relate to this phenomenon. "I wasn’t a runner, but I tried the club and the people were so fun that I was forced to become one." Only a few months later she would become its leader and sign up for the Paris half-marathon. They run three times a week, two of which are at 7 in the morning, but you’re not obliged to attend every meeting. It’s a space for people to stay active without having to commit to a gym or sports team. Jenna says the members used to be mainly American, but they began attracting other international students, especially those who are here for a semester abroad. "I believe it’s for the social aspect. They come to a new country, a new school, so they want to connect with others," she says.
Similar to Pretend Parisians and the post-run coffee, Jenna incorporates running club dinners at her apartment, for people to be able to socialize on a deeper level. She’s seen friendships forming through this, and loves seeing people come together and motivate each other, both in running and daily life. "Waking up at 6 when it’s cold and gloomy isn’t easy, but having a group waiting for you keeps me going," she says smiling. The club has been getting more and more attention, with over 100 members in the group chat at the moment.
Whether you’re looking to make new friends at AUP, or want to step outside the school’s bubble and be exposed to a variety of people, running clubs are now a perfect catalyst. Going for the first time might feel nerve racking, but remember everyone there is looking for the same thing: community.
