Community Spotlight
Get to know the faces and stories that make our running clubs extraordinary. Every month, we shine a light on one dedicated member, bringing their running journey to life.
October 2024
LeAnn Sukman
Astral Running Club
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I started running in junior high as part of my school’s track team. I quit running in college and would start and stop over and over but never really stuck with it until 2019. That was the year I helped start the run club at what was then Astral Brewing.
Tell us about your run club. ARC has been the best thing I’ve done!! We have grown quite a lot in the 5 years we’ve been doing this. It used to be a small group of dedicated runners (10 per week) and now we get 30-40 on a weekly basis. We like to participate in races together and support our runners wherever they are in their running journey. We’ve expanded our weekly run to include a once a month brunch run.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? My favorite moment was finishing the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2023. Knowing I had the stamina to go 13.1 miles was not something I would have considered when I started running again.
Find a group of like minded runners and have fun. Remember that you are only competing against
yourself and that a slow run is better than no run. A 6 minute mile and a 15 minute mile is still the same distance!!!
September 2024
Julie Nguyen
CityCentre Running Club
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I started running 10 years ago. Initially, I ran because it was part of my rehab from a freak accident. In the beginning, I did not enjoy it, because I wasn’t good at it and almost gave up. I signed up for a 10k as motivation. Over the years, I’ve learned more about running. Now, running is a big part of my life.
Tell us about your run club. CityCentre Running Club is diverse and welcoming to new and experienced runners.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? My favorite part of running is the friendships that I’ve made through running. It’s fun to go to social runs and catch up with friends and making new ones.
Take an effort to greet new people at run clubs or social runs, introduce yourself, and introduce them to someone else at their pace. Showing up to a group run for the first time can be intimidating.
August 2024
Rhonda Dean
Houston Masters Running
Houston, TX
When did you start running? I had peripartum cardiomyopathy after having twins. Heart failure after having multiples. I had always been an athlete before but never been a runner. My husband started talking to me about becoming a runner and my journey began! In 2001 I ran my 1st 5k, in 2010 I started my first Marathon, and in 2021 I ran my first 50k!
Tell us about your run club. I joined Houston Masters Running Club a few years back when I met Michael Luna at the Texas Independence Relay. I am currently on the board and serve on the 25k Race Committee!
Favorite moment about running or your run club? Running makes me feel alive and sexy! Lol! And to be honest, I was wrangled into the run club and it was one of the best things to happen! I love all the friends I’ve made along the way and would highly recommend running clubs to everyone!!
Join a group! Make life-long friends! Get fit!
July 2024
Joshua Litton
Fass Run Club
Conroe, TX
When did you start running? I was a short-distance sprinter in high school who hated anything over the 400m, but stopped running entirely for 7 years after graduating. In 2019 some friends started getting into running, inspiring me to start knocking out a few miles per week. Through 2020 I was running more, and once lockdowns started easing up I registered for my first race. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Tell us about your run club. Fass Run Club is amazing! So many great people have come together to naturally create a community of support and friendship. We host runs twice a week, and are based out of the oldest building in downtown Conroe, now home to Fass Brewing. Even outside of club runs we’re always up to something, whether it’s running races together, training during the week, visiting other run clubs, or hitting up a happy hour! It’s been awesome seeing all the relationships grow and new people find a welcoming place. There are also a lot of cyclists and triathletes who join us.
Favorite moment about running or your run club? I love it when the group comes together for races – it gets me stoked. Last year at a race in Conroe, we had 13 runners from FRC place in their Age Groups which was so cool to see!
Find a group in your area to run with. Running can be so serious and lonely, but group runs are a great way to embrace the fun side of it. Also, go to Fleet Feet (or a specialty running store near you) and get a good pair of shoes if you’re able to. It makes a huge difference.
