A Year of HBRC: From Idea to 400 members!

A year ago, Hammersmith Bridge Run Club (HBRC) was created by two mates over a beer at the pub. In 2023 Antony and I ran together every Monday, almost without fail. We used the famous 6.4km loop, up to Barnes Bridge and back, to talk – mostly about sport, but also about life. Week by week, those Monday runs became an anchor for us, a space to connect and decompress, no matter what life threw our way….. And what a turbulent year it turned out to be! Mondays provided a safety net for life’s unexpected twists and turns, both positive and negative. Before long, we were hooked, that was the seed that eventually grew into HBRC.

The concept was easy, we wanted to create something simple yet meaningful – a space where people could come together, lace up their trainers, and share the joy of running. Fast forward 12 months, and here we are: a thriving community of 400 members and counting!

I remember week one, feeling extremely privileged as supportive family and friends met us at 7pm on a freezing cold Monday night.

Wondering if anyone else would even turn up to our runs is now a distant memory. Throughout 2024, slowly and surely, the group grew. Week by week, new faces joined, and suddenly it felt like something much bigger was happening. It was never just about running; it was about creating connections and sharing moments.

Reflecting on the past year, there has been so many memorable moments. We’ve tackled so many routes through rain, fog, and the occasional glorious sunset. We’ve celebrated personal bests, cheered each other on, and shared laughs at the finish line. There were moments when the weather tested our resolve, but HBRC always showed up, proving that it’s the people, not the conditions, that make this club special.

Another highlight has been seeing so many friendships blossom. People who started as strangers are now running buddies, grabbing coffee post-run, and even training for races together. Seeing that sense of camaraderie grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Perhaps (definitely) we are biased because it’s our run club.... BUT there’s something special about HBRC that’s hard to put into words. It’s the energy of showing up on a Monday evening, knowing you’re part of something bigger. It’s the support you feel when someone shouts encouragement as you power through the final stretch. It’s the collective joy of a community that genuinely wants to see each other succeed.

This is just the beginning. As we head into 2025, we’re excited to share that we have some amazing plans in the works. From new events and collaborations to ways to make the club even more inclusive and fun, there’s so much to look forward to. While we can’t give too much away just yet, let’s just say it’s going to be a fantastic year.

Thank you to everyone who has run with us, cheered us on, or spread the word about HBRC. You’ve made this year unforgettable, and we’re so grateful to have shared this journey with you. Let’s keep growing, running, and making memories together. The best is yet to come.

See you under the bridge.

Lee and Anto