Fast. Slow. Far. Short. Solo. Group. Catharsis. Exercise. Hobby. Lifestyle. Everyone has a different approach to running, but the Brazos Runners Club sees it as a common thread to build a community that anyone — no matter your running style — can be a part of.
In 2015, Monika Blackwell and her husband, Patrick Redmill, discovered a running group in Austin called Ship of Fools. They were going to Austin nearly every other weekend and the shared activity led them to start running with the group whenever they visited. Through Ship of Fools, Monika and Patrick met Jim Grau, who was also from College Station. The trio agreed that Bryan College Station needed a club similar to Ship of Fools. It wasn’t long before the Brazos Runners Club took off, with the apt nickname “Boat of Fools” to recall where they got their start.
“I wanted the camaraderie,” says BRC Founder Blackwell. “I wanted people to push me ... to have people you can train with, recover from races, and [if you show up] once in a blue moon ... still be happy to see you.”
Blackwell’s passion for an all-inclusive group and Grau’s knowledge of running and meticulous spreadsheets was the perfect pairing to get a running group off the ground quickly. Blackwell handled the social aspect of the club, and found a place to meet each week, while Grau came up with the workouts and routes.
“When we started the club, we wanted a home base,” explains Blackwell. After making a call to Harvey Washbangers, the home base was established, and Blackwell emphasizes how thankful they are to the staff at Harvey Washbangers for being so accommodating to the group. BRC meets at Harvey Washbangers every Wednesday night and Saturday morning before their runs, and enjoy food and beer afterwards on Wednesdays. The group ends their Saturday runs with brunch at Torchy’s Tacos and other local restaurants. “Harvey Washbangers just made sense because it’s central to B/CS and has a big patio.”
Anyone in the community can join BRC on their runs. There are three options available: Monday practice at the A&M Consolidated Middle School track, Wednesday tempo workouts, and Saturday workouts. Some members only go to one workout a week, a combination of all three, or sporadically whenever they can.
“Track workouts are short, but hard,” says Grau. “Track is designed for speed. You’ll be huffing and puffing; it’s the fastest run. Tempo is a harder run — a moderate pace for three to seven miles. Training [on Saturdays] is done at a conversational pace.”
Additionally, BRC has marathon and half-marathon training plans. BRC is the official running group of the BCS Full and Half Marathon and offers a 16-week training program. Many members also participate in other prominent marathons around the country — and even the world!
Membership for BRC is $30 per year. However, anyone can join the group for runs before deciding if they want to join.
“Try us on for size,” encourages current BRC President Kristi Holstead. “Find out if it’s the right fit for you before joining.”
The group is really designed for anyone who is interested in running. BRC is diverse in experience, pace, distance, and age — but most importantly, open and inclusive to everyone who wants to run. Additionally, the group setting offers a sense of family and comradeship.
More information can be found at www.brazosrunnersclub.com or through updates on the Brazos Runners Club Facebook page.
“We may not be the same pace,” says Blackwell, “but we’re all in the same boat.”
