Point Loma Nazarene University’s Run Club is a student-led community that’s not just about fitness, but friendship, consistency and encouragement. At 7 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, a group of students join together to start their day off with a long-distance run.
Madeira Lang, a third-year kinesiology major and co-president of the club, said she realized that the once active Run Club had faded. Seeing an opportunity to revive the club, Lang and two other students wanted to create a space for students to move, connect and care for themselves.
One of those students was co-president Elly Heskett, a fourth-year psychology major, who shared Lang’s vision in restarting the club.
“I wanted to create a community that supported each other in their journeys,” Heskett said. “I have met some of my best friends through running, and I wanted to create a space where others can do the same.”
The distances that the club runs vary from three to six miles. However, for members, it’s more than just endurance; it’s community. The club’s pace is intentionally relaxed, with multiple leaders running at different paces. Heskett and Lang said the leaders run at different speeds to ensure that no one gets left behind. Their goal is for every runner to feel welcome and supported, no matter their pace and experience.
The club’s third co-president, Ruby Hong, a second-year biochemistry major, said that running has allowed for both connection and personal reflection. Hong said that the run club is for people to realize that they are capable of doing anything they set their mind to.
“Running helps me a lot mentally,” Hong said. “Run Club is the perfect place to not only accomplish your goals but find runners who want to uplift you and see you succeed.”
For these presidents, the early morning runs provide a mental reset. Lang said that beginning her day with a run makes her feel more productive and awake throughout the day.
“Sometimes the run is the hardest part of my day,” Lang said. “But once it’s over, I feel ready for whatever’s next. It just sets a good tone for the rest of the day.”
Liberti Cornell, a fourth-year dietetics major, said she joined the club after hearing about it from Lang. Like Lang, she has experienced the impact that running has on the rest of her day.
“[Running] helps clear my mind for the day,” Cornell said. “When I’m entering class, I feel more present and mentally aware. Even when I don’t want to go, I’ve learned to just show up and push through, and that mindset has helped me in other parts of my life, too.”
Although the early mornings can be tough, Cornell said that running with friends keeps her motivated.
“My favorite memory from Run Club was when we ran five miles to [Ocean Beach] and back,” Cornell said. “I really didn’t want to because I was super tired, but we all were just laughing and having a good time. It really pushed me to keep going, and it felt really good after.”
For the club’s co-presidents, balancing work, classes and running hasn’t been an easy task. Heskett said that finding times that worked for most of the members has been a challenge, but the effort has paid off.
“The most rewarding thing has been watching the program grow, especially this last semester,” Heskett said. “It’s been a huge success, and I’m hoping it will continue.”
The Run Club strives to establish a community that goes beyond a student organization, according to Lang. The lessons that running has taught her go far beyond the trail.
“Every day is different,” Lang said. “I don’t have my best run every day, but it’s about showing up. That’s what helps with resilience and grit, not just in running, but in life.”
Carson Dillon