Charlottetown Running Club builds community one step at a time

(This story was originally published by The Guardian on Oct.11 /2024)

Organizers Emily Czerwinski, left, Emma Adams, Matt Luther and participant Chris Inman lead the Charlottetown Running Club through downtown streets as part of their regular Thursday night runs. /Judith Mendiolea

Emma Adams loved running. She had spent the summer running in Kenya. 

She went there as part of an aiding program and, trying to follow a healthy routine, she started running.

Running in Kenya was harder than running in Charlottetown. The altitude was higher, the landscape was different. 

After a couple of days, she noticed it wasn’t only the running, but she got to know lots of different runners. Even another girl from Charlottetown. 

Suddenly, she was part of a community.

Meanwhile, back in Canada, Emily Czerwinski was also running while in N.B. for the summer. A friend of hers had invited her to join the Fredericton Trail Runners, a running group of all ages which gathered twice a week for running in the woods. 

At first, she was hesitant to join. 

“I don’t know. If I can keep up with the group,” she thought.

After a few weeks, she ran her first 12 km with them.

As the time passed, her distances got farther and she realized running in a group was better than running alone.

“Why not bring the same to Charlottetown?” she thought.

Back in P.E.I., Adams and Czerwinski, roommates, completed the Charlottetown half-marathon in 2023. Having experienced the taste of community through running, they came together with four other runners to organize their own running club.

The pair set a date and time for the first run, unsure if anyone else would join. They assumed it would be only the six organizers. 

But to their surprise, three additional people showed up.

That was back in November 2023. 

Now, nearly a year later, their Charlottetown Running Club has become a weekly tradition, with more than 20 runners turning up regularly. Some weeks, that number climbs to 40.

Runners from the Charlottetown Running Club gather outside UPSTREET Craft Brewing after their weekly Thursday night run. The club has grown from six participants to nearly 40 in under a year.

"For me, it’s fulfilling to know we’re providing a space for people to come together, be active, and meet others," said Matt Luther, one of the organizers.

“The fact that people we didn't know showed up the first time was really exciting. It let us know that people were on board with what we were doing.”

The club has become a way for people to connect, relieve stress, and maintain accountability. 

“Running is good for your mental health. You can take an hour out of your day and go to a running club. It’s a positive break,” Czerwinski said.

Chris Inman, a regular participant, echoed the mental health benefits. 

"The club is also a great mental health tool because it's easy to just go home after work, but this gets you out."

For Melissa Bourque, another runner, the social aspect was key. 

"I was looking for something to get outside and do something physical but also have a social aspect to it," she said. "This club kind of built that, and it was awesome."

Social aspect

After the run, the runners gather at UPSTREET Craft Brewing for a drink. 

Participants of the Charlottetown Running Club enjoy post-run drinks at UPSTREET Craft Brewing, where the club gathers after every run.

“As funny as it sounds, the end is my favourite part, where you get to sit down, have a drink, and feel accomplished,” Inman added.

UPSTREET manager Ashley Gallant noticed the energy the club brought. 

"From a personal standpoint, I love it. I get excited every Thursday because they’re my favorite group of customers," Gallant said.

“Supporting health and wellness is really important to UPSTREET, and having the run club here fits with our values perfectly."

As the club approaches its one-year anniversary in November, they hope to host a special event to mark the occasion and foster the sense of connection that’s been the heart of the running club from the start.

"Charlottetown's running community is freaking awesome. We’ve had up to 40 people come out, and it’s been really great," said Adams.

The organizers are thrilled with the turnout and the sense of belonging the club has created. With weekly runs and post-run gatherings at UPSTREET, the Charlottetown Running Club has become more than just a fitness group. It’s a community.

Matt Luther explains to his fellow runners the route to follow before starting the weekly Charlottetown Running Club run.