Last fall, Emily Smith was looking for a local run club. She posted in a community Facebook group hoping to find one nearby. Jessica Turner replied. A few messages later, the two decided that if the run club they wanted didn't exist, they'd create it themselves.

On December 13, 2025, the Lake Travis Run Club held its first group run.

What started as a handful of runners meeting in the Café Lago parking lot has quickly grown into one of the area's most welcoming fitness communities. Every Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., runners gather for a group photo before heading toward the Hamilton Greenbelt. In May, the club added a Wednesday evening run out of Winston's Coffee in Spicewood, offering 2-, 3-, and 5-mile routes.

The goal was never to build an elite running club. It was to build a community. That means seasoned runners, first-timers, parents pushing strollers, kids on bikes, teenagers tagging along, and even the occasional four-legged running partner.

The club fills a unique niche in the area. While Austin has no shortage of running groups, there aren't many organized clubs serving communities this far west. Members regularly come from Lakeway, Spicewood, Falconhead, Bee Cave, and neighborhoods scattered around the lake.

To keep things interesting, the club organizes monthly "field trip" runs at different locations around Central Texas. Past meetups have included Mozart's on the Lake, RunHub in Steiner Ranch, and Bee Cave City Park. Upcoming runs will take members to Austin Paddleboard & Kayak, Winston's at the Hill Country Galleria, and Tacodeli on Spyglass.

Ask Emily and Jessica about their favorite memory so far and neither can settle on just one. One highlight was their Global Running Day celebration at Bee Cave City Park on May 30, which brought together the club's largest turnout yet along with local sponsors and photographer Miriam Hogans.

But perhaps the most memorable part isn't a single event. It's watching strangers become familiar faces. It's seeing people from different neighborhoods connect over a shared hobby. It's families showing up together. It's proving that running doesn't have to be intimidating.

Both founders say what they love most about the Lake Travis area is how friendly people are and the natural beauty that surrounds it. Unsurprisingly, both count the Hamilton Greenbelt among their favorite local running routes thanks to its shade, creeks, and scenery.

For anyone wondering if they should give the club a try, their answer is simple: "Yes." And for those who insist they don't like running? Emily has some advice: "Slow down and also come try the club."

Looking ahead, the club has plenty to celebrate. Monthly field-trip runs will continue throughout the year, they'll be supporting the opening of Pulse ATX Running's new Lakeway location, and in December they'll mark their first birthday.

Not bad for a community that started with a Facebook comment and a shared belief that running is for everyone.