The Brickell Run Club is not just about fitness, it is a community where runners find connection and belonging.
Every Tuesday night, when the sun sets behind Brickell’s skyscrapers, the streets fill with the energy of the Brickell Run Club. Founded in 2009 by Frankie Ruiz, the club has grown to be far more than a weekly jog; it is a true manifestation of community, strength and connection in Miami.
The club draws more than 300 people each Tuesday at 7 p.m., rain or shine, at the Fortune International Group building in Brickell, which is located at 1300 Brickell Ave. Elite athletes, as well as beginners, lace up their shoes before beginning their run to enjoy an entirely free experience. After a group stretch, everyone sets off into the beautiful streets of Brickell. They honor a shared goal to create a space for physical and mental health and human connection in one of Miami’s busiest neighborhoods.
At the core of the BRC is not just the run, but the environment it provides. In a city where hectic schedules are common, people are bound to feel isolated despite being surrounded by millions. The BRC creates a space where strangers quickly become teammates.
“Activities like this help group people together in cities like Miami because it can inspire others to engage, participate in the community and establish relationships,” junior Thalia Miller said.
BRC is all about building community for those unwinding after work, students seeking motivation or longtime residents wanting to feel connected. After the run, participants often head to a local restaurant or cafe to hang out, showing how a relationship between runners extends beyond the cardio itself.
‘’The group atmosphere really helps people stay motivated,’’ Fine Arts Department Chair Tracey Barrow-Schoenblatt said. ‘’It’s not easy meeting people as an adult; joining something, where others who have the same interest as you, is a really great way to meet people.’’
Most cardio workouts are known to improve one’s health, with benefits increasing when runners are held accountable by an encouraging group. The BRC builds not just physical endurance, but also mental resilience. Physical endurance develops through consistently scheduled weekly runs, simultaneously developing mental stamina by pushing members through obstacles with the support of others.
“Running in public spaces in a group feels welcoming because seeing others run is motivating and creates a sense of community,” junior Daniel Valero said.
This is a perfect showcase of the power of community and strength, providing a safe space for exercise out in the fresh air.
Each week, a group of 300 runners take off down the road. With every step, it helps to further their own fitness and reminds them that there are opportunities for community, health and connection in a rapidly paced city like Miami.
