How run clubs are fostering connection and wellbeing

Across Australia, run clubs are bringing people together to move, connect and boost wellbeing. It’s proof that fitness isn’t just about muscles but community, too.

Running for a cause

Professor Angela Webster is a lecturer at the University of Sydney whose club, Boobs on the Run, raises money for breast-cancer research.

“Finding the right run club when you’re 45 with a demanding career and busy toddler is not easy but Boobs on the Run sounded perfect. They held evening running groups near by home and raised funds for breast-cancer research. My mother died of breast cancer so it’s a subject very close to my heart.

“I’m not the world’s fastest runner but I enjoyed running with the club from the get-go. There were many women who I wouldn’t cross paths with on a day-to-day basis but most, like me, were struggling to carve out time for themselves as they navigated the pressures of work and family. The truth about running is this: the conversations you have when you’re side by side are more honest and so you end up sharing things you normally wouldn’t. On account of that, I’ve made some wonderful friends I now see all the time.

“Anybody can run, sometimes you just need the support of a community.”

“I’d been running for about six months when my husband died suddenly of cardiac arrest. I reached out to the group to explain that I couldn’t keep running as I was now the sole carer and provider of a four-year-old. They immediately created a babysitting fund so that I could keep running. These connections got me through a very dark time where I spent a lot of time staring at walls and dealing with death admin.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and true to form, I went straight back as soon as I recovered from my mastectomy. At first I tried to walk up to 10,000 steps a day and after a couple of months I started running for 30-minute slots. Within 10 months I was able to run my first half-marathon. I always tell people that if you can put out of your mind that image of who a ‘runner’ is, all you need is the discipline of giving yourself enough time to get out there and trust in what your body can do. Anybody can run, sometimes you just need the support of a community.”

A bonding experience

Andrea O’Grady, an assistant principal, mother and grandmother, volunteers as a run director of Cairns Parkrun.

“I never intended to become a runner; I fell into it after my 48th birthday after I convinced my youngest son to do a Colour Run with me to have some fun together. He never ran again, of course, but I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed the experience. When a colleague told me about Parkrun, a free, timed 5km event that takes place in thousands of locations around the world every Saturday morning, I thought it sounded perfect. I could run, jog or walk as fast – or slow – as I wanted without feeling embarrassed.

“You’d think running in Cairns, where the weather is hot and humid, wouldn’t be for everyone but it’s actually a popular destination for Parkrun. The area has three separate locations and although my group is 300–350 members strong, we’re also a favourite with international tourists who’ll drop in and do a run with us while they’re in town. Heat exhaustion can be a problem so we start our runs a little earlier than other destinations around the country. A 7am start is an excellent way to kick off your weekend, plus it gives you plenty of time to unwind with a coffee afterwards.

“Anyone can be a volunteer at Parkrun and I consider it an honour to be able to help out. I volunteer as run director every ten weeks, which means I do the safety briefing, Acknowledgement of Country and go over any course changes before the run. I have a loud teacher voice that’s used to wrangling school assemblies so I was cut out for this role. I also love having an opportunity to do a shout-out to first-timers and anyone who’s reached a milestone.

“More than a decade on, I’ve found Parkrun to be the ultimate bonding experience. If I’m in Brisbane visiting my daughter and grandchildren, we’ll often do a local Parkrun together. My border collie, Milo, doesn’t miss an event and is known locally as ‘the Parkrun dog’. He thrives on fame! Me? I love knowing that my body is capable of doing more than I give it credit for. Endurance, perseverance and goal setting are all wonderful things.”

The power of community

Fiona Corrigan is a CommBank executive manager of regional and agribusiness banking who helped organise Nedd Brockmann’s Bendigo run.

“We were fortunate to have the CommBank Tour come to Bendigo and I was thrilled to hear Nedd Brockmann was travelling to the region. His fan base is incredibly diverse and there were many people in the community who came out to run with him. I contacted local runner Andy Buchanan who helped us work out the best routes to run – we had a four kilometre run and an extended six kilometre trail – and he enlisted the support of his run club. In the end we had more than 500 runners and the sight of them in their yellow CommBank hats was the talk of the town.

“Watching Nedd interact with Bendigo locals on the day reminded me of the power of community. Primary school kids, mature adults and everyone in between wanted to run with him and no photo or signature request was a problem. Despite the 6am start, people were excited to be on this adventure together. One girl who had a chance to run up the hill with him was so excited you'd think she’d won the lottery. There was a lot of laughter and afterwards, a lot of talk. It was a wonderful way to bring locals together.

“I was a runner in my younger days but, although I made it to Nedd’s run, I’d consider myself more of a shuffler now. I did make it to the coffee shop a little earlier to talk to customers, though. Whether I eventually get back into it or not, I think joining a run club is a wonderful way for people from all backgrounds to connect. Out there, it doesn’t matter who you are in your work life or your personal life, only your enthusiasm to get involved in a shared activity. Running is the ultimate leveller.”

A form of meditation

Robin Yau, a state government worker, runs with Perth Frontrunners, an LGBTIQA+ and allies running and walking club.

“I understood from an early age that team sports weren’t for me – if there’s a ball being thrown around, I will find a way to get hit by it. Running, by comparison, is a form of meditation. It gives me space to be alone with my thoughts. No special equipment or rigid rules, all you need is open space, running shoes and the will to move.

“In decades of running, I never considered joining a run club but when I emerged from a long-term relationship in 2018, I was feeling isolated and yearned for a sense of community. When a friend mentioned that he ran with a group of queer people, I was intrigued and joined their weekly ‘open day’ run. I was welcomed immediately – everyone was so warm and friendly and seven years later, I consider any time spent with the Perth Frontrunners to be the highlight of my week.

“Joining a run club, it’s easy to make friends as you already have one key interest in common but the Perth Frontrunners is about much more than running. We’ll run throughout the week as well as Saturday mornings, with friends and allies joining us so we can have a laugh and get some of that precious vitamin D together before we stop for a coffee and chat. It’s not about being queer, it’s about our community and all are welcome.

“I’m lucky that Perth Frontrunners has become my second family – my people – and for many members of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community, our club is their chosen family. Some of our members were Perth Frontrunners in the early ’80s – a time when the fear surrounding HIV and being ‘different’ was such that they had to hide their sexuality and dim their light. Today, not only can we shine bright but we love being able to support both Pride and running.”

Published: 7 May 2026

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