The group running scene in Philadelphia plays an integral role in defining the beautiful culture that is our running community. Each team, crew, and club is incredibly unique, which adds an assortment of rich layers to our city’s ever–growing active lifestyle. Our area is home to an active running community with over 100 running crews/clubs/teams. Whether you are new to running or have been logging miles for years, the Philly running scene has something for you.
We're starting a new feature at Philadelphia Runner – Run Club Of The Month.
What You Do:
1. be a running group in the Philadelphia area
2. read each month's "Club Of The Month" post
3. be the first club to email brodie@philadelphiarunner.com after reading the post. The first club will be the next Run Club Of The Month (note: you can only win once)
Sound good? And without further ado, October 2024's Run Club Of The Month.....Original Propaganda Athletic Club.
Let’s start with an easy warm–up, tell us your name and the name of your club you’re representing:
This is actually quite hilarious, and would be awkward if I weren't a Leo.....but I'm Lionel Brahim Brodie III, founder of Original Propaganda Athletic Club (O.P.A.C.)
How and when did the club start?
July 7, 2012. But before O.P.A.C. there was the Villanova Run Crew (V.R.C.), which I founded on July 16, 2011 (yes, I'm a whole weirdo with exact dates).
I've probably told this story on MPR before.....but I started running on a dare. I was in Arlington, VA on a work trip with THEE Villanova University Women's Basketbal Team and, in the midst of being over served vodka/tonics by the hotel bartender (sorry Coach P), I told a co–worker, who happened to be a marathoner (Stephanie Milazzo Clinger had recently run NYC), that I’d join her on her run the next morning. In my hazy shade of (winter) thinking, I assumed she’d forget. Wrong. WRONG. The next morning, January 22, 2011 (exact date), we hit the streets of Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and after 1.5 miles of continuous running, that euphoria…..I’ve been addicted to it and chasing it ever since.
Fast forward to V.R.C., which ran (pun intended I guess) at the same time as a clothing line I co–founded with my cousin, Quincy Tyrone Johnson, called Original Propaganda. Once a lot of the core V.R.C. folks transitioned to different jobs, graduation, etc., I ran solo (another really awful pun) and longed for that communal running experience. One day in New York City, on the aforementioned July 7, 2012, I was headed past the New York Athletic Club on the way to Nike Town to buy a FuelBand (IYKYK) and, lightbulb, Original Propaganda Athletic Club was born. Founded on running, with the structure to add other sports when "running was complete". Silly of me.....
When and where does the club meet?
Currently, we meet at 8:45a on Saturdays. Locations vary, and are posted on our Instagram page. Tuesday and Thursday movement activations are on deck.....
Give us a quick rundown of the club.
A humongous part of our Mission Statement is “to foster an elite, equally competitive environment.” Simply put: ALL FACES, ALL PACES. Over here a walker gets the same respect as an Olympian. We have both in our Family.
We are striving to truly grow this glorious sport and to succeed we have to truly be inclusive. In fact, when we shout "ALL FACES, ALL PACES" it's really referring to Comprehensive Inclusivity. Appreciating the plethora of layers this beautiful running thing offers. Speed is a language, and at times there are communication barriers that need to be broken down. That is what we do at O.P.A.C.
What can someone expect if they come out to run with the group?
Fam Ties! We’re a family, not a group, team, club, or crew. Not–as–fast runners not intimidated by their faster counterparts, but rather motivated by them. Fast runners not frustrated with their not–as–fast counterparts, but inspired by them. A community where we equivalently cheer the Couch–To–1Miler with the same fervor that we do the Seasoned Ultra–Marathoner. Athletes of ALL FACES AND PACES coexisting in a “Equally Competitive” environment.
Logistically each week: Run Club Captain(s), usually Christopher King or Pamela Grondski, will welcome everyone and go over the route. Family picture (if it’s not on The Gram, it didn’t happen, right?). Action: walk, jog, run, rip, sprint, or any hybrid of the aforementioned at the discretion of each athlete.
1.5 Mile Walk
2.23 Mile Run/Walk
5K Run
5+ Mile Run (depends on the training needs of the fam that day)
We always coffee, and most times brunch, afterwards.
Is there a membership or fee involved with joining the club for runs?
Run Club is $0.00. Our club is free to join at the moment.
Do members get together to run at other times or gather for non–running activities?
Yes, and it's quite enjoyable to see fam getting together throughout the week to run together.
As for non–running activities, the first rule of Run Club is you do not talk about Run Club!
On a more serious note, I believe some of the fam are going to an escape room this weekend. So, yes.
Final question, tell us why someone should run with your club:
We pride ourselves on ORGANICALLY striving to be one of the most diverse athletic clubs in the country. People of different ages, races, gender identifications, sizes, skill levels, etcetera…..ALL EQUAL! Athletes should find comfort in their walking, jogging, running, ripping, and/or sprinting speeds. When we say All Faces, All Paces it authentically is more than a cliched catchphrase. It’s CANON: a belief, principle, law, and edict.
Thanks for taking the time to share more about O.P.A.C., um, me haha! If you’re looking for a new group to check out and run with, find more about O.P.A.C by following them on Instagram: @originalpropagandaathleticclub and on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/OPAC
