Ashley Pearson hosted a running group in March of 2023 and was shocked when ten people showed up. “I thought, this is huge!” she says.
The small group gathered for several months, running along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, until Pearson paused the group over the holidays. This March, she started back up, expecting the same type of crowd. Before long, 60 people showed up. Then 150. Now the group routinely gathers 450 people or more for runs, jogs, chats, food and drink, and even post-workout ice baths.
“It’s been so fun,” Pearson says. “I love it. I’ve met the most incredible people. I used to wish I could just go and get to know ten strangers, but now I hang out with 450 people every Monday.”
Run Club Greenville Q&A
Why do you think your group caught on so suddenly?
One of our reels went viral, with around 70,000 views. There was nothing special about it, but it went viral, and every week, we were doubling.
How long have you been a runner?
I started three years ago. I went through a breakup and thought, I’m going to get into running. I always wanted to run a half marathon but never took the time to train.
Did anyone help you get started?
I was working at Old Europe and a customer taught me how to run long-distance. And then I met the most incredible people through the running community. Now I’ve run two half marathons, and I ran a marathon last year, and another one this year.
How did you meet your co-leader, Jake Thayer?
He had just moved here from Michigan, and I met him through the apartment complex I work for (she’s in real estate, he’s a commercial broker). He was on a run one day and I told him to come join us, and he started coming. He said, ‘Do you need help with this?’ Now we’re 50/50 on it. I trust him to make any decisions.
What do you hear from participants about why they love Run Club?
People see it on social media, and they want to meet people. I’d say at least 90, maybe 99 percent of the participants just want to meet people. Friends I used to beg to run with me, but they wouldn’t even run a mile, now come and run three miles or even a half marathon. It’s sweet to build a community.
Do you get a broad variety of distances and speeds during group runs?
Yes. There are people running 6-minute miles while pushing a stroller. But then I’m not a fast runner, so I like to start at the front and finish in the back. People in the back, I will push them, ‘You can do it!’ I love seeing people improve a little every week.
What’s the cold plunge about?
Evolve, a cold-plunge company, is coming to The Commons. They set up, and it helps with inflammation, and has so many benefits. People are nervous to do it, but they’ve been encouraging each other to try it.
What are your goals for the group?
I never want people to get bored. My goal from the beginning has been to create a marathon through downtown Greenville, really showing off our city. And we want to work with local businesses and create social events so people can hang out outside of Run Club.
What do you love more, the running or the social aspect?
Both equally. I love running so much. But I also love people. So, this lets me do two things I love.
Group runs start Monday nights at 6:45p.m., gathering at Pangaea Brewing Company in The Commons. They also run one Saturday morning per month at 7:45a.m. Find out more on Instagram: @runclub_gville.
Fast Facts with Ashley Pearson
Choice running shoe: Hoka
Recent race: The Dublin Marathon
Future race: Ville to Ville relay next spring
Favorite distance: Half marathon
Post-run craving: Gatorade Frost Glacier Freeze
Favorite Greenville race: TreesUpstate Turkey Day Run
Music or no music on the run: No music—you know you’re a good runner when you can talk and run
Top tip: Run with someone better than you
