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About Us

How we started
Running Riot is a running club based out of Santa Cruz, CA. We were formed in 2019 by three long-time friends from the local punk rock scene who began to see each other every year at the annual Wharf to Wharf race. The immediate goal of the group was to assemble a team of positive-thinking runners who pushed each other to new heights through encouragement and support. Not long after our first group run, we created our logo which is a tribute to the legendary punk band, The "Bad Brains". The Bad Brains (along with other classic punk and hardcore bands) promoted "PMA" or "Positive Mental Attitude", a term coined by author and philosopher Napoleon Hill. We had the crew, the attitude and the merch- now it was time to take our act on the road! 

Over time, and through word of mouth, our club grew larger than we ever dreamed possible. It is a testament to the strong running community we have in the Santa Cruz area and the desire for a low-cost, inclusive club. 
Why we keep going
The roads and trails continue to call out. Whether it's chasing a personal record, finishing an ultra, exploring a vast wilderness, or even pushing a friend to finish their first 5K, we have unfinished business. In our short time, we have seen our members go from 1 mile runs to full marathons. No matter the experience level, we thrive not only on our own individuals successes, but on the success of others and that keeps us motivated. 
 
Club Guidelines
  • BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE. Absolutely, positively NO Racism, Sexism, Classism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Body or Ability shaming.
  • BE POSITIVE. All members are in this for a positive experience. The club does not allow members who have are continuously negative or aggressive toward others. Members are supportive and only encourage, not deflate each other.
  • REPRESENT THE CLUB WELL. When representing the club on runs, at events or fundraising, members must act as an upstanding representative of the group. Active recruitment is encouraged but not required.
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​We reserve the right to disinvite and block members from social media and events for violation of the above.

FAQ

  • Q: When are your group runs?
    • A: We run every weekday at 6:00am at a scheduled location around the Santa Cruz Area. Please see the Schedule/ Events Page for our schedule. Weekend runs are scheduled on an ad hoc basis. Members have access to our Slack Server under which these runs are announced. â€‹
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  • Q: Why are the group runs so damned early, and why aren't there many afternoon evening runs?​​
    • A: Our running schedule is built for those who have standard 9 to 5 jobs or family obligations at the start and end of the day. We acknowledge that work schedules vary by person. Waking up early can be a challenge, especially if you aren't used to it. We encourage you to give it a try and make it a routine. Like Goggins says, "Learn to conquer the mornings!".​
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  • Q: I showed up for a group run on time and according to the schedule. Why wasn't anyone there?​
    • A: On occasion, there will be no members available to run on a specific day. For example, lots of runners take Monday as a rest day after a training weekend. Weather can also be a factor. We recommend checking and RSVPing in Slack to determine attendance. â€‹
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  • Q: I heard this group is exclusively a trail-specific one is that true?​
    • A: No - In fact, many of our weekday group runs are on road. Most weekend group runs do tend to be on trail in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in our Santa Cruz Area. Many of our members are also year-round trail/ultra racers who are looking for elevation and technical runs for their training. This is because such trail races tend to have way better snacks than road races. No Oreos at CIM? Get real. â€‹
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  • Q: I don't even listen to punk rock, in fact I am a new waver. Can I still join?​
    • A: Sure! Our punk imagery is a tribute to our origin, history of Santa Cruz and PMA philosophy. We don't really care what you listen to.​
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  • Q: Why do you guys run so fast on your group runs? Why do you run so slow on your group runs?​
    • A: Our group run paces vary between 8:30 to 10:30 minute miles on average. This tends to accommodate most runners. You are welcome to join and run faster and slower than this range. If you are unable to keep within this range (on either end), it's possible you may be running solo at times. We are a pace-positive group and no one will be discriminated against based on their abilities. â€‹
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