A run club and social hub join forces to foster fitness and friendship, cultivating connections that go beyond the finish line
By Izabella Counts | Photography by John Michael Simpson
An assembly of runners stretch together in Durham Central Park on a crisp Saturday morning, having just finished a session with Jonathan Gramby’s WeRun Durham run club. Their voices ring out brightly as they catch up, talking and joking with the energy of a group that feels like family. Jonathan is at the center of it all, leading the cooldown and ensuring no one is left out of the lively conversation.
Jonathan, owner and head coach at GTA Fitness & Performance, launched WeRun Durham in July 2024 with the intention of creating a welcoming space for runners of all experience levels to enjoy the benefits of fitness without the worry of feeling judged. The club meets downtown for group runs, walks and social events.
“Everything starts in the mind,” Jonathan says. “Once you take care of your mind, your mind takes care of your body.” He saw Durham as the perfect place to foster this kind of environment. “What I love about Durham,” Jonathan says, “is that no one is unreachable … everybody’s real open to things, and I wanted to expand that and have people come together through fitness, through movement.”
Connection and community are at the heart of WeRun Durham; every activity fosters relationships among its members, from fun icebreakers to running routes that introduce runners to local businesses. It’s a model that has already forged a unique partnership, as the club joined with Missy Laneʼs Assembly Room in August 2024 to introduce weekly post-run socials that extend the group’s commitment to wellness and camaraderie. “[Missy Lane’s] doesn’t just want our business,” Jonathan says, “they want a relationship, too.” It’s a natural collaboration that began years ago when Jonathan and Missy Lane’s co-owner Marcel Mercer formed a friendship at the gym.
Marcel and Jonathan’s connection emphasizes the ways that mental health and physical activity go hand in hand. “Fitness does the same thing [as music],” Marcel says. “It should allow you to come to a space in your brain where you can find clarity.” Their shared goal is to provide an inclusive environment where people feel supported in their wellness journeys. “When we built Missy Lane’s, we built it for the community,” Marcel says. “We want people to come in and feel like they belong.”
A warm, uplifting space can inspire confidence and improve performance, and the WeRun Durham runners agree that the post-run gathering has done just that. “[This is a] Black-owned business and a predominantly Black run club getting together and bringing awareness [to each other],” says runner Taron Turner. Brittany Speed echoes this sentiment, adding, “We’re supporting them, and they’re supporting us.” Brittany notes how the club helped her reconnect with high school friend Courtney Kelly after 16 years. “A lot of people have made connections, have exchanged phone numbers,” Courtney says. “Being able to see the same faces – and new faces – from week to week is always a pleasure to me.”
Missy Lane’s and WeRun Durham typically hold their post-run socials on Saturdays after the club’s 10 a.m. runs. Missy Lane’s also hosts its Brunch Society on these mornings, blending “sound, flavor and soulful connection.” These partnerships, Marcel explains, foster more than a fitness community; they build a shared growth mindset. “To push together, we have to come together,” Marcel says. “Come be around good energy, come be around good people – that’s how we grow.”
Go the Distance
WeRun Durham currently meets at Missy Laneʼs Assembly Room on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and at Durham Central Parkʼs skate park at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, stroll with its WeWalk Durham crew.
