Club gives runners opportunity to Run the Ranch

Six months ago, most of Christine Sullivan’s social life was dance and yoga classes.

Then the Sarasota resident tore her ACL at a trampoline park and felt at a loss without her movement-based hobbies. 

She needed a way to slowly get active again while being part of a social group. Sullivan realized that goal by joining Run the Ranch, a club that runs together at Waterside Place at 6 p.m. every Tuesday.

“As soon as I was cleared to walk more again, it was such a gift,” Sullivan said. “It was right around the time that they started and it was just so (great) for my soul to be outside and with good people.”

Sullivan has been part of various running clubs but said Run the Ranch is different because they not only have members who either walk or run together, but they also spend time hanging out, or doing an activity such as kicking a soccer ball around.

The Lakewood Ranch club was co-founded by Felipe Rojas and Alex Wordsworth.

“They've got a real heart to make it a nourishing, safe, fun and chill place to be,” Sullivan said.

Rojas said the slogan for Run the Ranch is “for all walks of life.” 

Photo by Madison Bierl

After the club started to develop, Rojas said kids started showing up, along with grandmas and granddads.

Taylore Lantz joined Run the Ranch in October. She said being part of an inclusive space where she can get her body moving outside has been a great outlet for her. She walks with other members of the group and her goal for 2026 is to start running.

“I immediately loved the sunset views and the peaceful Waterside setting,” Lantz said. “Some run clubs can feel very loud or high-energy with (events that include) DJs, but I appreciate how Run the Ranch feels more laid back and relaxed.”

Mariana Domingues, a self-described novice when it comes to running, said she isn’t fast but she isn’t slow either. She said she wanted to find a group that valued both the movement and the relationships

“We have ultra-marathon runners here,” Domingues said. “We have 5K runners. We have walkers. People from all different chapters in their lives are coming together. It’s much more than a run club. We've really become friends.”

For her, running is a way to challenge herself.

“It's not about the number (of miles), it's not about the pace, it's just getting it done,“ Domingues said. “That in and of itself feels like an accomplishment. I love running with other people who are faster than me because I think that could be me one day.”

Photo by Madison Bierl

The first meeting of the club, which was in mid-October, attracted 25 people. The most they have had at a single meeting is 60.

“Running for me is less about the exercise and more about the community building that comes with running,” Rojas said. “The amount of people that I've been able to meet through running has been exponential.“

Wordsworth, who was a runner in high school, loves the feeling of accomplishment after a run. He wants others to get that same feeling.

He said he feels blessed that the club continues to grow.

“I hope the club members get a sense of community and know that it's going to be a good time,” Wordsworth said. You're going to be around people who care and who want to see you succeed.”