New running club launches on Longboat Key's north end

Opportunities to get active while enjoying the outdoors aren't easy to come by in August. But one group is beating the heat with an early morning jog on the weekends, and anyone in the community is invited to join.

The new running club recently launched on Longboat Key, meeting at 7 a.m. Saturdays at Sips coffee shop.

Chris Carter got the group up and moving on Aug. 9. While they took a southward route from the shop on Whitney Plaza for the inaugural meeting earlier this month, participants headed north this time to avoid sidewalk construction.

As runners stretched and warmed up, Carter explained that organizers hope to bring together residents and visitors to reap the physical rewards of getting the blood pumping, but also the social benefits.

Photo by Dana Kampa

"It's just something fun to do on a Saturday morning, and an opportunity to get the community together," he said.

The 3-mile route took runners across the bridge, where they were greeted by a pleasant post-rainstorm breeze. They ran up to the Coquina Beach Cafe before looping back toward the shore and to the shop.

Participants are welcome to set their own pace, whether a brisk run, easygoing jog or power walk with the dog. Those joining in August can also benefit from some pre-season conditioning before the start of a multitude of fun runs scheduled for the fall.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Resident Erin Hogan Jones said she appreciated having a new venue to socialize and exercise on the north end.

Runner Justina Carter agreed, adding, "I think it's good to have something like this so we can build a stronger sense of community here on Longboat, especially given it's a smaller community. Plus, it supports healthy habits."

Shimon Otsuka said that is exactly why the founders wanted to create the group, inspired by the popular Sarasota-based 99 Bottles Run Club that meets on Wednesdays.

"Everybody is welcome," he said. "You can run, walk, move however you want to. We'll have water and towels."

Photo by Dana Kampa

He joked that getting out of bed early on a Saturday isn't always the easiest thing to do, but members can enjoy good company and a pick-me-up coffee afterward.

Lorenzo Condensa said Sips was happy to provide a meeting point for the early crowd.

"We just wanted to give the community something to be excited about," he said.

He said participants can find some specials at the shop while partaking in post-run conversations or taking a cold-water plunge.