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.”