In 2022, Paige Black created Philly Slow Girl Run Club when she had no one to run with; however, just under two years later, the community now draws more than 50 runners weekly, writes Lily Cohen for WHYY.

For Black, her goal was to run with people who ran like her, at a slower pace.

While she didn’t expect any to show up to the first meeting, she was pleasantly surprised to see two other women.

Through Facebook and Instagram, more people started to learn about the club and decided to join.

The group typically holds runs three days a week. Each run features different pace groups the women can choose from.

“It’s a community of women, which is just nice to feel so supported,” Abby Ondar, the self-described social chair for the club, said. “That they feel safe and they have a place that they’re seen and that they matter is kind of the most important thing to us.”

The club has helped several women make friends, build confidence, and develop a sense of pride.

“I think community is very important right now,” Black said. “Especially everything that’s going on and just being a woman or any like women identifying plus person — this is the club to be in. Because we all need to stick together through these terrible times.”

Read more about the positive impact of the Philly Slow Girl Run Club in WHYY.

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