For 39-year-old speech pathologist Nayana LR, joining the Travancore Run Club, which flagged off in December last year, was a step towards achieving “physical and mental well-being”. After dedicating the last five years to raising her two children, she decided it was time to take care of herself.
Apart from alleviating stress and improving endurance, the group became a space where Nayana found friends across age groups and genders. Now, she eagerly awaits Sundays and Wednesdays for the runs.
City-based run clubs and trekking communities such as Travancore Run Club, ITEN Runners Club, Project Pace, Academy for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (AMAS), and ITREK, among others, have evolved into spaces where adults can forge friendships while bonding over shared outdoor activities in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kanwaljeet Dhillon, a 42-year-old homemaker, moved to the city four years ago after her husband, who works in the armed forces, was transferred to the State capital. Originally from Chandigarh, she struggled to find friends beyond service members and their spouses until she joined the ITEN Runners Club in October.
Members of ITEN Runners Club
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“It is difficult to get out of bed early in the morning when you have to run by yourself. But it gets easier when you know there’s someone waiting for you,” says Kanwaljeet, who finished third in the mixed doubles category at the Hyrox competition held in Delhi last year.
Founder of Zero Fitness Performance Studio, Joseph Charles, says, “When people come together, there is more accountability among them,” explaining that 140 of their 260 active members are part of group training. “It becomes a third place for people to hang out,” he says.
Pathanamthitta-born Joel Abraham Chekkulathu, 28, began exploring outdoor communities in the city after moving to Kazhakkootam more than two years ago. Soon, he met six-time Ironman winner Suresh Sam Chandy and began training with him. His interest in Nature-related activities eventually led him to ITREK, founded by Sam, which has 750 members.
ITREK members after a trek
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“After moving to a new city, the closest companions you initially have are your colleagues. But as I started exploring different communities, I found more people with common interests,” says Joel.
“Many people have even found long-lost friends from school or college through our community,” jokes Sam. The group organises treks twice a month.
AMAS, an NGO based in Neyyattinkara, organises trekking, rock climbing and rappelling events year-round across the State. Tomy John, director of AMAS, says, “People from outside the city are among our major patrons. Those who attend our events together often remain in touch afterwards and participate in future programmes together.”
A participant doing rock climbing at an Academy for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (AMAS) event
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Founded in 2016, ITEN Runners Club currently has 180 members who are experienced runners as well as beginners, aged between 18 and 70. “The former helps others develop the habit of running. They exchange information about recovery, shoes, attire and more,” says Raj Kalady, secretary of the ITEN Runners Club. The group is set to organise the Trivandrum Heritage Run 2026 on August 9, a 10K race covering the city’s landmarks.
Project Pace, a run club co-founded by Saahil Rahman, a second-year mechanical engineering student at Government Engineering College Barton Hill, began functioning earlier this year.
Members of Project Pace
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“The group was a collection of amateurs who were trying to grow. That mindset has helped them improve without any added pressure,” says Saahil, noting that members who once took 45 minutes to complete five kilometres now finish it in 28 minutes.
Another city-based running community, Travancore Run Club, was started by Sree Vighnesh, who initially ran alone while preparing for marathons. On a friend’s suggestion, he created an Instagram page called Travancore Run Club and posted an invitation for people to join.
“One person showed up after our first invite. Now, we have around 3,000 people in our WhatsApp community,” he says.
“After running, we spend time together and introduce ourselves to the group. We divide participants into teams and play games. Conversations range from politics to poetry,” says Sree, adding that 60% of the club’s members are from outside Thiruvananthapuram.
Nayana says, “It gives me great happiness to be part of a group. Many women find it difficult to participate in such activities because they worry about whether the group will be male-dominated or whether they will be able to make friends. Nowadays, my children have also expressed a desire to join me on my runs.”
Published – July 16, 2026 05:00 pm IST
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