Lisbon Running Community is a uniquely organic collective of running clubs formed in 2020. We caught up with community leader Chris the day before Lisbon Half Marathon to hear their origin story.
The Lisbon Running Community story starts in 2020 when multiple people, at the same time decided to create running activities around the city. Chris explains, “One guy decided, I'm going to start doing a Tuesday evening run for nomads who have moved here. There was another guy who started doing a sprints and intervals session, because that's what he was really into. You had a couple from the US who wanted to do trail running, getting outdoors and hiking. And then there's Cato, which is a German sports brand who already had an event. They had created an event in Munich and decided to have a chapter here as well. ”
We talk about being a community, because, in essence, it was different running clubs that came together. It's a collective of clubs that became a community.
Eventually, each group’s leaders made the decision to create the Lisbon Running Community. “We could then officially say, ‘we are part of this community’, which is why we don't actually call ourselves a running club.“
LRC has a fluid member-base, with personnel and people changing and evolving over the years, while the community itself retains a strong identity. “There's about 10 of us (community leaders), but that's constantly fluid." Chris tells us, "People come in and they move away, maybe for their work, or for whatever reason they need to step back a bit.”
New members can contribute their skills like photography or "cheering" at events and take on roles that lead them to become community leaders. “I think most people go through that evolution - they get involved, they run a lot because they realise I really like this, and they enjoy the community, the social side. Then they are able to get more involved with the organisation in the community. Maybe they want more responsibility or they feel like they can bring a certain skill like photography, which is always useful.”
The Community hosts events at local businesses, such as Quest Cafe, where we are today for the pre-Lisbon Half Marathon shakeout run. “It's about finding the business owners who are supportive of the community - maybe they're runners, maybe they're not, but they recognise that this is a local based community. It's great for us to have those partnerships, because we're bringing customers to them, and they, in return, can give us a place for events, discounts, and everybody wins.“
Favourite place to run in Lisbon?
Personally, I would say the beach. Or the runs we do from Belem.
Favourite run or race?
Favourite race I would say is the Lisbon Vodafone 10k where you run across the bridge. That's pretty special. The Lisbon Half Marathon is equally good, but the 10k you get the same bridge crossing experience, and then you stop, and the other guys have to go further.
Outside of running, what do you enjoy doing?
There's some really good hikes around here. Specifically, there's one main hike that goes through Europe that starts in Algarve and goes all the way to Estonia. And the thing about it is that each local authority has the responsibility to maintain their part. Some of them are great and well maintained and some are terrible. The bit around Lisbon city center is really good and you can go south through Caparica - nice signposting, really good quality trail.
We've heard Monsanto Park is great too?
Yes, it's incredible to have a big forest park in the city, and it's man made as well, there was not a forest here before. 80 years ago they just planted a forest built around the city, it is awesome. There's loads of trails, so it's good for a walk. They've got bike trails too.
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Chris Fitch is also a published author. Check out his new book Wild Cities here
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