Run Club Spotlight: GOOD GRiEF
Meet the GOOD GRiEF Running Club, an Austin, TX- and Washington, DC-based running club that focuses on mental health alongside their passion for running. Their mission is to help people find the good in grief, fostering a joyful and kind community where people can be themselves. We spoke with Jack Wright, the DC City lead for the group to get the learn more.
Tell us about GOOD GRiEF.
GOOD GRiEF feels like the friend who is always excited to see you. Our mission at GOOD GRiEF is to find the good in grief through movement and community. With that mission driving us, we center community and connection, with running as more of a means than an end. It's a place to come and meet new people, talk about the hard stuff or the light stuff, and spend time together. We're very laid back when it comes to running and open to all levels.
Our mission and the comradery make us different from other running groups. The mental health and grief aspect gives people a space where those conversations are on the table. It's a place where you can show up for yourself, and others. We have such an incredibly joyful and kind community of runners and it's been such a pleasure to see so many friendships blossom over the past six months.
When/Where does the group meet?
We meet every Monday at 7:00 a.m. at Childhood Cafe.
What type of runner thrives in your group?
Anyone who connects with our mission, wants to meet new people, and get after it on a Monday morning! We have pace groups from 8-11 minutes and generally get a mix of all levels. We typically have around 40 runners show up.
Walk us through a typical run from start to finish.
On a typical Monday, everyone will arrive to Childhood Cafe by 7 a.m. I'll state our mission for any new runners and give any announcements. Then we will take a group photo, break into our pace groups, and start our run. After we finish, we are treated to 20% off coffee at Childhood Cafe where we hangout and socialize.
What do current members say they love most about running with you?
The people! We have such a kind and welcoming group of runners and pacers. The running is great, but the people are the real treat.
What’s your favorite memory of the group that captures what GOOD GRiEF is all about?
My favorite memory is our DC launch this past June. So many people came out to support us, and my favorite part is seeing how many people that were at that first run still show up week after week. The continued growth of our community has been amazing but that first run will always be so special.
How can people find you and get involved?
Just bring yourself! Any critical updates are posted in our WhatsApp group and on our Instagram.
Website: www.goodgriefrunning.com
Social Media: Instagram
