At this Tampa run club, people don’t have to
Every Wednesday, hundreds gather at a new location to move their bodies in any way they choose in the community
Run Club 4 MFs Who Don’t Run Meets at Nueva Cantina Before Weekly Group Exercise
Run Club 4 MFs Who Don’t Run is a popular informal Tampa run club where members choose to run, jog, walk — or do a little bit of everything. After exercising, participants gather for a social hour at a new local business each week on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
The group reflects a growing national shift in run clubs. What was once purely fitness-focused has evolved into a casual social movement that combats loneliness while promoting physical activity.
Across the United States, run clubs are expanding rapidly as many Americans seek a sense of belonging outside of work and home. A late 2025 report from fitness app Strava found that run club participation increased 1.5 times nationwide over the past year.
Health officials warn that loneliness is becoming a serious public health concern. According to the U.S. Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% of U.S. adults report feeling lonely. The condition has been linked to increased risks of premature death, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Regional reporting indicates that approximately 29% of Tampa residents experience loneliness.
In response, run clubs have become community-based outlets. In the Tampa Bay area, local run clubs average between 700 and 900 participants weekly, with 10 to 15 group runs organized across the region.
27th Run Held at Nueva Cantina
On Feb. 4, the club hosted its 27th run and social hour at Nueva Cantina, a privately owned restaurant in Downtown Tampa.
University of Tampa senior Laila Anderson, originally from Washington, D.C., attended the event alone. She said attending college far from home can feel isolating.
“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends,” Anderson said.
Taj Phillips, who recently moved to Tampa from California, also attended solo. He said he values genuine, in-person interaction.
“A lot of people are very online all the time,” Phillips said. “It’s nice to actually communicate face-to-face again.”
Approximately 20 to 30 attendees came alone out of more than 100 total participants that evening.
Natalia Vazquez, a Tampa resident of four years, attended with a friend. She said the club’s unusual name initially caught her attention, especially since she doesn’t enjoy running.
“I enjoy doing something that I typically wouldn’t,” Vazquez said.
Zane Cooper, a Tampa resident of three years, attended with two friends and said the weekly structure helps him stay consistent with exercise.
“I figured this would be a good way to force myself to go each week,” Cooper said.
Phillips said that after attending three events, he regularly stays in touch with friends he met through the club.
Building Community and Supporting Local Business
The club’s founder, 32-year-old LA Ayala, said he has built some of his closest friendships through organizing the events. He also noted that at least one couple met through the club.
Ayala, who has lived in Tampa for five years and is originally from Queens, New York, intentionally designed the club to be inclusive — especially for people who do not consider themselves runners.
“I legitimately don’t run. Like, at all,” Ayala said.
The group completed a 1.5-mile loop through Downtown Tampa. Runners led the route, followed by joggers and walkers, each guided by a leader wearing a high-visibility vest. Participants met at Nueva Cantina, passed through Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and returned to the restaurant. Some members brought leashed dogs, and one participant even carried a cat.
Following the run, attendees gathered inside Nueva Cantina to enjoy margarita specials and Mexican cuisine during the club’s social hour.
Nueva Cantina owner Raul Medina said he appreciates how the club promotes both health and community engagement. Some of his employees participate in the events, and many club members return as regular customers.
“It became an opportunity to support each other in building a good community in Tampa Bay,” Medina said.
Ayala said one previous business partner reported an estimated $20,000 increase in sales after hosting a club event.
Rapid Growth and Expansion Plans
Ayala founded Run Club 4 MFs Who Don’t Run approximately seven months ago. The group has grown rapidly from about 30 members to roughly 1,200 active participants. Its Instagram account now has more than 24,000 followers. Viral attendee posts from the club’s first event contributed to its rapid expansion.
Ayala said he plans to expand the club to St. Petersburg next month.
For more information, visit the club’s Instagram page.
