EST. 2021
Queer Runnings started with a single post on Instagram on the 13th of February 2021 and it said WE ARE LIVE. But there was no "we" yet, it was just me and an idea to create an online queer running community.
The idea came from always having lived rurally and always feeling a bit sad that all the cool queer stuff lives in towns and cities...places I really don't want to live! And to be honest, even if I did have an in-person queer run club on my doorstep, there are lots of reasons it wouldn't have been accessible to me anyway.
I was tired of feeling like I had to choose between living rurally and having a queer community. And very tired of being the only queer running around on the trails. I figured I couldn’t be the only one in this position.
An as it turns out, I was right. People slowly began to join and the club slowly grew into what it is today. I can take credit for starting it, but it's the members who should take credit for turning it into such a warm and welcoming space.
How it began
So many running clubs are places where queer people feel unwelcome, uncomfortable or actively excluded.
My hope is that this club goes some small way towards changing that.
How does a virtual run club actually work?
People often wonder how a run club works if we don't run together in person, and assume we're a glorified Facebook group. We're not. In fact, we probably have more chances to hang out than a lot of traditional in-person running clubs, we just don't do it in the same car park every Tuesday.
THE QUESTION I GET A LOT
ON CALLS
We meet regularly on video
Weekly socials on Zoom where we chat, catch up and spend time together. Sometimes we talk about running. Sometimes we don't. Just when I think the conversation can't get any more random, someone proves me wrong!
24/7
The community forum never closes
Our Discord server is open round the clock. People share training updates, wins, wobbles, questions and encouragement. The kindness, joy and support in there is wonderful.
MONTHLY
Movie nights and book club
Once a month we watch a running or outdoor film together, in sync, with a chat running alongside for anyone who wants it. There's a book club too. Neither is compulsory. Nothing is.
IN THE WILD
And sometimes, in person
Occasionally members organise to meet up and run together in real life, which is always particularly joyful.
Founder, coach, trail runner, lover of mountain adventures.
Hi! I'm Sophie. I'm a trail and ultra-runner, and a UESCA-certified running, ultra-running and endurance nutrition coach. I am from the UK but I now live deep in a forest in Austria with my wife, my three legged dog Maya and our cat Timmy.
I also live with ADHD, autism and an autoimmune condition, so I know from experience that life is rarely straightforward and this shapes how I coach: flexible, realistic, kind to your body and built around the life you actually have.
You won’t find any tough love here.
MEET SOPHIE
HEAR FROM THE MEMBERS
In their own words
"There were no queer running clubs in my area and I worry about running with people sometimes due to pace. Also I like to disappear into my own world/head space when running, so although sometimes I do enjoy a social run mostly I prefer running by myself."
— Cedar (they/them)
"I like not being bound to in-person events as the main form of association."
— Lauren (she/they)
"It's a lovely queer space and I've gotten to meet people who I never would have met otherwise. The sharing of knowledge is really helpful and everyone engages enthusiastically."
— Suki (xy/xyr)
Come and be part of it.
Community membership from £10 a month, or coaching from £40. Sliding scale on everything, cancel any time.
Not sure yet? Book a free, no-pressure chat with Sophie