New to campus this semester is the UNB Saint John Running Club, which welcomes all levels of experience, from walking to running. Take advantage of the nice fall weather and walking trails by joining one of their meetings! 

unbsj_runningclub/Instagram

President of the Running Club, Lu Clarke, is a third-year student at UNB Saint John. The idea of starting a running club came from the fact that running is something Lu loves doing, and he shares that interest with some of his friends. The Running Club is a way to share that love of running with other students at UNB Saint John. 

What is the Club? 

The UNB Saint John Running Club is just getting started, and it has lots of potential: “our goal is to foster an inclusive, welcoming, and encouraging community where UNBSJ students can grow”. Since the school year began, they’ve led two walks that were about 30 minutes long. Any and all walkers or runners are welcome to come explore the sprawling trail paths by the parking lot. 

Why is the Running Club Important? 

It is well known that there are many health benefits from running: better cardio health and sleep, fewer colds, and stronger muscles. Running also benefits mental health: improved memory, better mood and energy, and less stress. Jogging for even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve your health. 

Lu sees these benefits in his personal life. He believes that running can have an incredible long-term effect and strengthen mental health. The key here is to stay consistent and make an effort towards maintaining your physical health. The UNB Saint John Running Club is a place where students can have a set routine to exercise, and hopefully start to see the benefits of adding a walk to their weekly schedules.  

However, running isn’t the only piece of the puzzle: “Health is more than just the physical activity. It’s what you’re eating and the routines that you have in your life.” The Running Club hopes to include nutrition in their meetings. Lu mentioned Kate’s Creative Kitchen, a content creator who uses her knowledge as a dietitian to share tips for meal planning for families and is based in Rothesay. Check out her Instagram (@kates.creative.kitchen) or Facebook (@katescreativekitchen) for recipe ideas and tips about nutrition. 

Kate’s Creative Kitchen/Facebook

Aside from the health benefits, the UNB Saint John Running Club is important because it is an opportunity to build a sense of community. The majority of students at UNB Saint John are commuters, which can make it difficult to foster community outside of attending classes. With the Running Club, Lu hopes to be part of the solution to a small campus with limited clubs about physical health and nutrition. 

The Running Club will provide a space for students to connect with other people who have similar interests and a chance to do more than just study at school. Every UNB Saint John student has a role to play and a responsibility towards building a community on campus. If you find that the sense of community is lacking, joining the Running Club can be a great place to start. 

What’s Next for the Running Club? 

While things are still being sorted out for the winter walks, Lu hopes to use the field house with an indoor track to walk and run. There are many different ideas for what’s to come: setting running goals for people to follow, handing out juice boxes, or holding larger events like a 5km walk. “We’re hopeful, optimistic, and if just a few people come or a few different people every time, I’m grateful. I believe that everything can have a purpose and you decide what you make of it.” 

If joining the UNB Saint John Running Club interests you, make sure to check them out on Instagram (@unbsj_running club) to hear about upcoming events and meetings. You can also keep an eye out for posters around campus. There is no big commitment: feel free to come and walk whenever you can.