When senior honors biology major, Khari Davis, suffered a hip injury that forced him to stop playing for the Howard men’s basketball team, he reached out to a friend to start a run club.
The Tallahassee, Florida native teamed up with senior computer information systems major, Avery Cloud, and the 1867 Run Club was born.
“Run clubs are what you would call ‘in-season,’ and I just didn’t see any in D.C., or, more importantly, Howard,” said Davis.
Over the summer, run clubs skyrocketed across people’s social media feeds around the country. Clubs seemed to pop up everywhere as a space for people to meet others and stay fit.
1867 Run Club’s mission is to increase mental and physical endurance among Howard students while offering a safe space for runners of all levels. Davis highlights running’s inclusivity, noting that it’s accessible to everyone, unlike more specialized sports.
“Not everyone plays basketball or football, but almost anyone can run,” he said.
The co-founders’ primary concern is maintaining momentum and keeping the club engaging for its members. They’ve already seen enthusiastic turnouts, with 25 to 30 participants showing up for the initial runs.
Their Instagram account has also grown beyond their expectations. In under two months, the page has grown to over 400 followers.
Davis and Cloud are committed to ensuring the club remains fun and accessible, emphasizing that you don’t need to be in perfect shape to join.
“It’s not about being the fastest or the fittest,” the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native said. “We just want you to come out, move and connect with others.”
Community is at the heart of the 1867 Run Club. Davis and Cloud have created a space where students can relieve stress, meet new people and enjoy the benefits of running.
“Your legs will only go as far as your mind allows them to be pushed,” Cloud said, emphasizing the mental aspect of running as a focal point of the club.
Ashton Brown, a junior economics major and Spanish minor, has been an active participant and advocate for the club. He first heard about the club from Khari Davis, his brother through the Howard University freshman organization, Men of George Washington Carver Inc.
Brown said he joined the runs to connect with others and stay healthy.
“Health is wealth,” Brown said, appreciating the club’s low-pressure environment that offers a social alternative to going out. His positive experiences and the opportunity to meet new friends demonstrate the club’s impact on its members.
The club’s social media, managed by senior TV and film major Joshua Taylor, plays a significant role in keeping members connected and informed.
In addition to managing the content that is published on the 1867 Run Club Instagram page, Taylor also participates in the runs and enjoys the sense of community and healthy activity. He appreciates that it’s an inexpensive and productive way to spend his time as a college student.
“It’s better and cheaper than spending money to go to the club or get drinks every weekend,” Taylor said.
Runs are scheduled for Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., typically around the reservoir next to campus, with plans to include longer routes, such as a run to the National Mall. The founders are also working to recruit pace runners to accommodate different speeds and ensure that everyone, regardless of their fitness level, can participate.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
