Meet Lydia Sanders, Co-Founder of Runner Beans
When did you start Runner Beans Club, and what makes it so successful? Joel [co-founder/husband] and I started it in November 2022. It was born out of a simple idea — run, grab coffee and invite others in Greenwich to join. We launched the Instagram on Wednesday and ran the following Saturday, expecting no one. But two strangers showed up. Now, 60 runners come weekly, which is wild. Our growth comes from focusing on relationships and kindness.
What keeps you going on days when motivation is hard to find? There are definitely days when I don’t feel motivated, especially in winter when it’s dark before and after work. I sometimes resort to the treadmill, but it’s not the same. Having a community helps — on cold, wet Saturdays, there’s no way I’d run at 9am without everyone else there. Seeing runners travel far makes my seven-minute jog easier. After years of running, I know I’ve never regretted a run. Even when I don’t feel like it, I remind myself I’ll feel great afterwards.
What have been some of the pinch-me moments so far? Working with New Balance for The Big Half was pretty sick. The race ended where our Saturday runs start — it felt like a full-circle moment — a celebration of our community. Our crew is full of talented creatives, so we love recommending them when brands collaborate. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve and simply watching people form friendships that go beyond the running world is special, too.
What’s your advice to someone thinking of starting a running club? Don't overcomplicate things — just start running. We’ve always said, “If no one turns up, it’s fine, we’ll still run and grab a coffee”. Also think about your "why". Loving it keeps you consistent, even when it’s tough. It’s exciting and fun but also teaches humility. Joel and I juggle full-time jobs, but it’s worth it because we love it. And finally, don’t be afraid to say no — or yes!
Your Runner Beans merch looks great. What inspired the idea? Thanks! The demand came from the community. We’re both creatives, I work in fashion and Joel works in content, so it just clicked. Now we get to collaborate on design and production with people (shout out @parisincuffs) from our community, which makes it extra special.
What exciting plans or goals does the club have this year? We plan to do a few half marathons together, possibly abroad, and hope for summer hikes. Last year, 60 of us ran The Big Half, so we’ll definitely do that again as a club. The rest is up in the air — exciting things usually happen unexpectedly, and if not, we’re happy just running.
@runnerbeansclub
“Don’t overcomplicate things — just start running. We’ve always said, “If no one turns up, it’s fine, we’ll still run and grab a coffee””