Houston’s run club scene has exploded in recent years, but for many runners living in west Houston, running with a weekly group often means driving 30 – 45 minutes. That’s what inspired Logan Andrews to start Run Alief, a club focused on creating a welcoming running community in Alief.
“Wishing to start a community in a different area, as most of our lovely Houston run clubs are near the Heights area,” Andrews said. “Alief is a super strong community. Most people in Alief really love to rep being from Alief, so we’re expanding the community even further through being active.”
Run Alief meets every week at Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Park North. Runners gather at 6:30 p.m. before heading out at 7 p.m. for a scenic four-mile route around the lake. The evening doesn’t end there, as members continue the conversation during a post-run social at a nearby coffee shop.
While the location has helped attract runners who no longer have to drive across Houston for a group run, Andrews believes the welcoming atmosphere is what keeps people coming back.
“Our community is very open to communicate with everyone,” he said. “A lot of Alief runners can find peace of having a run club with a short drive.”
That supportive environment has also made it rewarding to watch the club grow. “Seeing our new runners become better week by week,” Andrews said. “That’s been the most rewarding part.”
First-time visitors can expect a warm welcome from the moment they arrive. Everyone is greeted before the run, group photos are part of the tradition, and runners of all experience levels are encouraged to enjoy the route together.
As Houston’s running community continues to expand, Run Alief has created its own identity by bringing people together in a neighborhood that takes pride in where it’s from.
“I hope it continues going in the direction it’s going, building slowly but consistently,” Andrews said. “I just want it to be a group of open-minded people who continue to grow as a person and as a runner.”
To learn more about Run Alief, you can follow them on Instagram.
