On Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Pinellas County, runners gather for more than just miles. Some show up to train. Others come to move their bodies after a long week. Some are runners, some are walkers, and many are simply looking for a place where they belong. At Pinellas Run Club, that place exists.
Founded by Brandee Thomas, the group has grown into a weekly gathering where people of all paces and backgrounds come together to move. Before each run begins, the group stacks their hands in the center and shares a simple cheer that reflects what the club is all about: “Better together.”
Brandee Thomas | Building the Community
Pinellas Run Club began with a simple idea. “PRC started in April 2023. It’s crazy how fast time flies,” Brandee says. “It came from a conversation at a local brewery about community and movement. We just wanted a way to connect with others, move our bodies, and support local spots we love.” What started small quickly became something more. “Anyone can go for a run or walk, but PRC is about the people. It’s the energy, the encouragement, and the connections you make that make it special.”
Inclusivity has always been the foundation. “ PRC was built to make movement accessible to all. There are no pace requirements and no membership fees. There are just different route options so whether someone is chasing a PR or taking a stroll, there is space for them.” Each week, one moment brings that mission to life. “Before we take off, everyone puts their hands in. We count 1, 2, 3 and yell ‘better together.’ It might seem silly, but it’s powerful. It reminds everyone that we are better together.”
What people gain goes far beyond fitness. “I’ve seen friendships, relationships, proposals, babies, new jobs, and even new community clubs born from PRC. It’s something bigger than miles.” And her reason for showing up remains simple. “I show up for myself, for the ones who cannot, and for the ones who are still looking for their space.”
For many members, the experience of Pinellas Run Club is best told through their own stories.
AJ | Running With Gratitude
AJ remembers feeling nervous the first time she showed up. “Yes, of course. I didn’t know many people and knew I’d be a bit older than everyone else, but I’d heard they were a really nice group.” She was also recovering from heart surgery and a knee injury and needed a group that welcomed walkers. “I still wanted to feel included in the running community.”
That uncertainty didn’t last. “Immediately I was welcomed. The organizers made a point of meeting me and saying hi every time I went.” Soon, Thursdays became something she looked forward to, and the group became something more. “I feel like I’m part of something. I have friends there I look forward to seeing every week.”
Her definition of a good run has changed. “I’m no longer focused on PRs. I just try to make every run count.” After getting a pacemaker, running carries deeper meaning. “I have a lot more gratitude that I still get to run. I’m constantly surprised by what my body can do.” For those who feel they are not fast enough, she offers perspective. “You start where you start, but that can change.” Her journey includes injury, recovery, racing, and growth, but her identity is simple. “I’m a runner because I say I am.”
Jags | Finding Community Through Miles
Jags didn’t arrive with nerves. “Nervous? Me? NEVER. I’ve been with the PRC family since the beginning.” From the start, it felt like more than a workout. “The first day I tagged along. You know the vibes.”
Now, he’s often one of the first to arrive. “ Early is on time, on time is late.” But beyond routine, it’s the people that matter. “I’m looking to connect with people who are running with the intention of bettering themselves.”
His perspective on running is rooted in gratitude. “A good run is every run. There are people who don’t have the ability to run, so just being out there is a blessing.” That mindset carries into how he encourages others. “This is the space for your pace.” Whether someone is running, jogging, or walking, the goal is simple. Keep moving. “Set the tone to your tempo. If you need a pacer, I’m your guy. You’ll hear me before you see me.”
Lina | The Energy of Showing Up
Lina remembers feeling unsure her first time. “Walking into something new, especially a running group, can feel intimidating. I didn’t know anyone or what to expect.” That quickly changed. “Now it feels familiar, welcoming, and something I look forward to.”
For her, it became more than a workout in the small moments. “When people remembered my name, asked how I was doing, and we stayed after runs just to hang out, that’s when it became a community.” Now, she shows up for the people as much as the miles. “I look for familiar faces that motivate me to keep coming back.”
Her definition of a good run is simple. “If I finish feeling stronger, clearer, or even hit a better time, that’s a good run.” And for anyone hesitant to join, her advice is clear. “Everyone starts somewhere. The hardest part is showing up, and you don’t have to do that alone.”
Better Together
Every week, people arrive at Pinellas Run Club with different goals, different stories, and different paces. But before the run begins, they all gather the same way. Hands in. One voice. “Better together.”
