In this edition of Get to Know Your Running Clubs we chatted with Sarah about the Texas Running Club. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about them, read on!

Tell us a bit about your club history, how long have you been around?

The club was first created in 1999 as a student organization at UT. Up until 2007 the club was actually called the Marathon Club whose focus was primarily helping any student train and successfully finish their first marathon. The name was then changed to Texas Running Club when it became a Rec Sports club to sound more appealing and less intimidating to other runners who might not have the goal of finishing a marathon. Today our mission is provide training and support for all levels of runners!

Tell us a bit about your membership? What level of runners do you cater to?

We cater to all levels of experience from those training for their first 5K to runners pursuing their Boston Marathon qualifications. To be a registered member, you must be enrolled at UT Austin.

Where/when do you usually meet?

We meet every Monday through Thursday evening at 6:00pm* during the school calendar, outside of UT's Gregory Gym located on campus. We also provide morning runs to the few whose schedules do not allow them to meet in the evening.  These runs are Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:15am.  Saturdays we provide long runs to the marathon trainers at 8:00am.

*5:15pm runs after Autumn Daylight Saving

Any cost to be a member/join?

Cost of membership is $30 for a semester and $50 for the year.  This next year we will be providing an $80 membership which is geared towards those who want to compete more in our out of state meets

Are you affiliated with any events?

No event affiliations for us.

Where are your favourite spots to run in/around the city?

Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (you might year locals call it: Town Lake Trail, Lady Bird Lake Trail, the Trail). This is a trail expanding about 10 miles consisting of a shaded crushed granite path that passes by parks, downtown, and other historic areas. This is the place to run in Austin! Great scenery and great for the knees. I personally also like to run streets Pemberton Heights, one of Austin's historic neighborhoods.

Do you have any favourite local races?

There are several Austin races that I like, almost one every weekend in the spring and fall!

• Spring - Cap10K, Schlotzkys Bun Run
• Fall - Thundercloud Turkey Trot

Anything else that we should know?

Texas Running Club has runners of all levels and goals from those just wanting a group of friends to run with to others competitively reaching for PRs and titles. As long as you "like" running (the love-hate relationship anyone shares with their chosen sport) you are guaranteed a perfect fit with us. Not only do we train together but the club provides several other social events and opportunities to get to know your fellow members not just as teammates but as friends.

You will get as much fun out of this club as you put in!

Want to connect with the Texas Running Club?

Texas Running Club Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Looking for runs in and around Austin? Have a look at the RunGuides List of upcoming Austin Runs for a list of running events in the area