Run Club Spotlight: Mall Rats Run Club

Have you been looking for a group that “loves to yap” as much as they love to run? Maybe you like rat memes? Have we got a spotlight for you. Meet the Mall Rats Run Club, a new crew that formed in the ashes of another run club to rebuild the community they missed.

When/Where does the group meet?

We meet on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am at the Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe on Pennsylvania Ave (just off the mall).

What makes the Mall Rats different from other running groups?

The rat memes.

What is the mix of runners and who thrives in your run club?

We are professional party pacers who love to yap on our runs, so most of our runs fall between a 10-12 minute pace. Runners who thrive in our group are looking to build community with the added benefit of getting a run in.

Right now, we have about 4-6 people come regularly, but we are growing each week. We just launched in March 2026.

Walk us through a typical run.

We meet outside of Good Company for a quick icebreaker before heading off on our run.

We run as a group to the Washington Monument, where we stop to take a picture. From there, the 3-mile group runs back to the coffee shop. Our 5-mile group continues down to the Lincoln Memorial before running back to the coffee shop. Both groups meet back at Good Company for coffee/breakfast.

We also aim to do a monthly social activity separate from our weekly runs (happy hours, sporting events, etc).

What should first-timers know before showing up to your run club?

Feel free to just show up!

If you want, message us on Instagram beforehand and we will be sure to keep an eye out for you. We picked the meeting point because it is easily accessible. It is a 5-15 minute walk from every color metro line and there is plenty of free parking in the area. Since we run on the Mall, we pass several water fountains.

Share a memorable moment, tradition, or story that captures what your group is all about.

Our annual Elf run is so funny. Someone hangs elf ornaments all over Alexandria trees, and we go on a treasure hunt looking for them on a cold December night. We compete as teams for treats at the party afterward.

Invariably, 10-15 elves get hijacked, taken down, or stolen, which creates healthy debates about who is the actual winner. It's the most fun I've had at a holiday party in my decades in the DC area.

How can people find The Mall Rats and get involved?

Follow us on Instagram and Strava.

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