North Carolina A&T and Howard run clubs unite students in fitness and fellowship
Running clubs are helping people achieve their goals of getting in shape in anticipation of warmer weather, and students at two historically Black colleges and universities have followed the social media trend, creating campus clubs that blend community and connection.
Students at North Carolina A&T State University and Howard University have started running clubs. The Aggie Run Club at A&T started in August 2024, and the 1867 Run Club launched at Howard in the fall of 2024.
Seeing the impact and culture of running clubs in different cities influenced each club’s existence, and their respective leaders hope the clubs will continue after their founders’ graduation.
A&T students Caleb Boyce and Jaylen Lee created the Aggie Run Club after Boyce interned in Atlanta and Lee in Nashville, Tennessee, where there are established clubs. Howard students Khari Davis and Avery Cloud started the 1867 Run Club in the fall of 2024 after exchanging texts about the idea during their summer internships.
“I was scrolling on TikTok, and I just kept seeing run clubs. And I was like, ‘Hey, let’s start a run club at Howard.’ And he was like, ‘All right, bet,’” Davis said. “And then from there, we kind of planned everything out, and as soon as we got back to campus, we kind of started it.”
Boyce also noticed the surge in popularity.
“Seeing how running clubs were getting really popular throughout the whole country, I figured it would be good to implement here at A&T and build a community where students are supporting each other through fitness goals as well as making a space where everyone’s having fun and a good time,” he said.
“I trained for a half marathon this summer and was constantly going to Atlanta Run Club and being out there, watching Black people coming together and meeting new people, and I thought ‘This is awesome,’” Lee said. “Me and Caleb were having a conversation, and we’re like, having this at our HBCU – this is already something that Black people love, and there’s a demand among the Black community. So bringing it to A&T just makes sense.”
The Aggie Run Club runs every Tuesday and occasionally on Saturdays around North Carolina A&T’s 188-acre campus. The club also hosts mini-social events after running, including hot chocolate drinks for participants and taco nights at a local restaurant.
The 1867 Run Club runs three routes around Howard’s campus and through neighborhoods in the surrounding Washington, D.C., area, during the week. With themed days such as “Midweek Mile Wednesday,” “Finish Strong Friday” and “Sunday Flow,” the group collaborates with various student organizations on Howard’s campus, averaging 40 to 50 runners per run.
“From day one, we went heavy with promotions because we felt like Aggies would like to engage with this sort of thing,” Lee said. “Our first run was huge. We had between 60 and 70 people, and people came out. Now we have a constant group of 40-50 people on Tuesday runs and spontaneous Saturday runs and keep things fun and interesting.”
Several local organizations and businesses have partnered with the Aggie Run Club to promote their brands, including event promoter College Daze and fitness trainers HBCU Strong. Within the club’s short time as an organization, they also participated in a playground equipment donation drive with the Playground Drive, a nonprofit helping elementary schools.
The 1867 Run Club prides itself on being an inclusive community, supporting different running speeds and abilities.
“It’s really giving people the space and opportunity to be their true selves,” Davis said. “Like, you get out there and after a long day of work, you get to be with some of your friends. You guys get to catch up on the day and talk and chat while jogging, running, walking, just getting that kind of physical activity.”
Boyce wants his club to be a staple on A&T’s campus and a community for all Aggies.
“I want the Aggie Run Club to be that one thing that everyone, regardless of major or where they’re from, [it] will be a place where everyone can be a part of,” he said.
Lee sees Aggie Run Club as a point of connection on his campus.
“For our HBCU community, Aggie Run Club invites people in. They are meeting new people, and friendships are building from it. People out here want to get better at running and improve their endurance,” Lee said. “You’re able to tap in with the community and build friendships, but at the same time, you’ve got accountability partners who are aware of your goals and encourage you to strive toward them every day.”
Howard student Madison Tate joined the 1867 Run Club because she grew up playing sports and wanted to find a new way to enjoy an active group activity on campus.
“I feel as though the run club has established a community and fun by getting members of the Howard University community together of all grade levels to have, you know, to enjoy physical activity in a more wholesome way,” Tate said.
“I would love for people to know that a run club is a safe space, no matter what your running level is, your athleticism is. It’s a safe space to come out and have fun and meet new people and get active and, you know, get some great cardio in.”
“I think the most rewarding experience is probably being able to give people a platform to run,” Davis said. “And I think that’s probably what I love the most, which is seeing other people grow and having the opportunity to become a better version of themselves.”