By 5:45 p.m. every Monday, the sidewalks outside Fleet Feet River Oaks begin filling with runners of all experience levels. Some are seasoned marathoners catching up after a long day, while others are testing out their first run club. Either way, newcomers rarely stay strangers for long.
That sense of community is exactly what hosts Glenda and Viv hoped to create when the club launched shortly after the acquisition of Run On! by JackRabbit in 2022.
“We started the group shortly after the acquisition of Run On! by JackRabbit in 2022,” Glenda explained. In just a few years, the club has become one of Houston’s most welcoming weekly running meetups, drawing runners of every age, pace and experience level.
But ask Glenda and Viv what really makes the club special, and neither points to the routes, the raffles or even the post-run snacks. “Our runners make our run club different,” they said. “They are easily some of the most genuine, caring and generous people I have ever met. Our runners are the ‘secret sauce.’”
That culture of kindness is clear from the moment someone shows up for the first time. The club meets every Monday at 5:45 p.m. before runners head out at 6 p.m., and newcomers are rarely left standing alone for long. Veteran runners, referred to as the “OGs,” intentionally seek out new faces to introduce themselves and help people feel comfortable.
“A first time participant can expect warmth, an easy route, and a greeting from the hosts,” Glenda said. “Our ‘OGs’ have a tendency to identify new participants and welcome them. We approach our run club with a ‘Southern Hospitality’ vibe.”
It is an approach that has helped create a unique kind of running environment, one where first-time runners feel just as celebrated as marathon qualifiers. The club proudly welcomes all paces and experience levels, emphasizing support over competition.
“We celebrate our runners at all milestones,” they said. “First 5K? We party. Boston? We party.”
The weekly runs also extend beyond fitness. After each run, participants stick around for refreshments, snacks and raffles, creating space for friendships to form. Over time, those Monday evenings have become a dependable source of connection for many runners in Houston.
The club also continues to expand its impact through upcoming events and community partnerships. On June 1, the group will celebrate Global Running Day, and later in June, CanCare will be featured as a philanthropic guest as part of the club’s “Run for a Reason” initiative. Additional summer events are currently in the works and regularly updated on their Instagram page.
Above all else, Glenda and Viv say their gratitude keeps them coming back every week. “We truly love our runners and are grateful to have the opportunity to host every week.”
You can follow Fleet Feet River Oaks Run Club on their Instagram: @riveroaksrunclubff.
