A #RunChat reboot
Some things from #RunChat co-founder David …
In June 2010, #RunChat was brought into this world through a Twitter chat. The idea was simple - we (Scott or David) ask you a question about running, others respond to you and retweet your responses, you make friends, have fun, and keep the conversations and connections going all the time.
Through the years, thousands of runners have met in real life through #RunChat and other social media connections. #RunChat thrived on Sunday evenings (in the U.S.). Prizes and sponsors became part of the chat too. Real brands met real runners who became customers for life.
But at the end of the day, what was important was connecting runners to each other.
We said many times over the years that #RunChat was a community of runners built by runners. The foundation for #RunChat was built by me and Scott but RUNNERS of all levels built this amazing community. That dedication to showing up each week online is why #RunChat succeeded.
But over the past few years, it just hasn’t been the same. Fewer runners joined in hourly chats. People left Twitter … and then X. The conversations had a lot less back-and-forth action.
The community became a bit splintered as runners went to different platforms or stopped talking about running or just left social media altogether.
And that’s OK. Things change, but …
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
As the co-founder of #RunChat, I haven’t done enough myself to keep the chats going longer. I’ve had various help along the way, but at the end of the day, my own fog with running and how I felt about social media impacted what #RunChat was.
Over the past several months, though, I’ve explored a few options to get #RunChat really going again. I’ve realized through trying a few things on X that the platform isn’t the place to gather weekly.
X is very much a dark place with only a few bright spots. Looking through the #RunChat feed, it’s not being used much as more users leave the platform for various reasons.
As social media is very much at a crossroads, I believe that #RunChat still needs to exist to help runners stay connected. Let me be very honest and say that we just can’t be everywhere all the time. I’d love for #RunChat profiles to exist on #allthethings and be active all the time. Behind the scenes, there are some things happening to try and be in more places, but for now here’s how to find us:
BlueSky: For now, a regular hour of chatting will happen there at 8 p.m. ET Sundays. It will start to look and feel a bit different than before. It’s also possible this could expand. Use the #RunChat tag on that platform so we can follow you and continue to grow there.
Threads: Look for a “#RunChat question of the day” most days of the week.
Instagram: There’s more coming in 2025 here!
Facebook: Posting there will be sporatic, but give us a like or follow there for occasional updates
WHAT’S AHEAD
#RunChatHunt. Our popular virtual scavenger hunt will be back purely for fun in December! This can be a way to spread the word about #RunChat across all social media platforms all while having a great time.
Virtual challenges. Watch in 2025 for some various challenges to change up your regular running routine
Fun. Social media should be FUN! Let’s get back to and then see what happens next!
“If you’re not having fun it’s not worth doing.”