Run Dusty: The social running club where each meet ends at the pub
A social running club which supports independent breweries, bars and pubs – that’s the thinking behind Run Dusty Sheffield. The group has been meeting in the city for more than two years now, and as the winter nights draw in, people are turning to the club as a way of staying active, safe and connected.
The club was established in Sheffield in 2023, born out of a group of the same name in London. Runners of all abilities are welcome to attend fortnightly meets – casual, social runs which always finish at a local brewery, bar or pub. Chloe Groom is one of the organisers. The 27-year-old says: “It doesn’t matter what speed you are. No one is trying to break any records. Then at the end of every run every runner gets a free half pint. That encourages people to stay and have a chat.
"When you join new clubs, it can be so hard to get into groups of friends. It’s so easy to do the run and disappear because you feel a bit anxious or uncomfortable but that free half pint is an invitation to stay, chat to people and hang around. Most people stay and buy one or two drinks as well which is great for the local pubs too.”
The run schedule and pub residencies are posted on the club’s Instagram page, where people can also sign up to join a session. Around 30 to 40 people typically attend a run, with numbers often higher in the winter than summer. That, Chloe says, is because winter can feel like a tough and isolating season – and community and movement can “make all the difference”.
Members speak about finding comfort, safety and confidence in running together, especially on the city’s darker streets and underpasses. Being part of a club also helps some to stay motivated, consistent and enjoy the benefits of exercise. "Plus, with mental health challenges famously worsened by winter daylight and weather, the social side of running is more important than ever,” Chloe says. “Our club creates real friendships that extend beyond the miles.”
Chloe joined the club soon after it was set up in Sheffield. She had recently moved to the city to be with her boyfriend and didn’t feel like she had a community of friends there. “For someone who is very social and needs other people’s company, that was a bit of a nightmare and I didn’t really know how to make friends,” she reflects.
"After I had joined the club and spoken to others, I realised so many people are in that same boat - finish university and then move for a partner or a job or something and suddenly you’re in a new city…If it wasn’t for Run Dusty, I might possibly not know anyone in the city which is quite scary.”
“Loneliness is something I feel is associated with older people, especially during the winter but actually so many younger people are experiencing it as well,” she adds. "You can feel really lonely in a new city, especially when on social media it seems like everyone else is having a great time with groups of friends and you think how do I get that? Having a hobby is a great way of meeting other people and Run Dusty is great because it’s for anyone.”