For the first few years, after I started running, the idea of a group run terrified me because I didn’t think I was a real runner. I didn’t think I looked like a runner, I worried about my pace, and because I’d never been athletic I didn’t think I belonged. But that first winter, running in Central Park after work during winter felt a little spooky when I ran alone. I figured if I was going to be able to run through winter, I would have to join a group run. I Googled “running groups in NYC”, found one that met in Central Park, and mustered every ounce of courage to go.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t go well. I didn’t find a running group. I found a training group here in the city that runs pretty fast.

But I was a new runner! I had no clue there was a difference!

I didn’t know what my 5K pace was and I didn’t know Central Park very well. The girl who was tasked to stay with me left me pretty early on, I got lost, and I ended up just taking the subway home.

I didn’t join another group run for two years. It took me a while to find my people but once I did, I started getting emails from women all over the world asking for advice on how to find people to run with. I would hear stories about local running groups saying they were open to all athletic levels and yet, there they were running alone, finishing after everyone, and not feeling included.

I wanted to find a way to bring women together but also keep it accessible to all types of runners and walkers. Which is hard with running! How do you make it possible for a group of women of all different athletic levels to stay together?

The truth is, our Badass Lady Gang group runs and meetups are hard to describe because we aren’t like most running groups. We spend the first 10-20 minutes of our meetups going around the circle and introducing ourselves. We have everyone say their names, where in the city (or world) they live, and then a conversation starter that has nothing to do with running. Then, we do a 15-40 minute workout that keeps you within yelling distance from one another. That means no pace groups, no “fast” or “slow”, just 15-40-minutes on the clock, and a workout to play with during that time period. Some women walk, some run, some do both, and others dance.

The question I get asked the most is how much or how far do we run at a Badass Lady Gang run and my answer is vague because there is no set distance. You may get 1 mile by the end of your workout. Maybe 2. If you really push it, possibly close to 3. But it’s a choose your own adventure type of run. One where we ask everyone to put connection first, and a fun workout second. We encourage walking, talking, and getting to know the women around you.

There are a million different groups you can join to train for a distance at. I wanted to create a space that didn’t have a barrier for entry. No 5-6 mile runs, no set pace you need to be able to run at, or long runs. We are connection and community first, and a fun workout second.

But leading and starting a chapter is a HUGE responsibility and isn’t for everyone. The most important part of any Badass Lady Gang are its core members so if you don’t have the time or bandwidth to grow and lead a chapter, the best way to help your chapter thrive is to be its biggest cheerleader. Show up to meetups, bring your friends, talk about it, and introduce yourself to new members.

BUT, if leading and growing a chapter sounds like something you want to do, keep reading!

Why We Love Our Chapters

What we do at the Badass Lady Gang is VERY different from most running groups. We always say we’re the running group that won’t really ever ask you what you’re training for or how often you run because it’s not what we’re about. We do talk about running, but we’re the type of group that wants to talk about more than just what your pace is, what you’re training for, or all things running. Our chapters are a safe place to come to meet new friends, let your hair down, be yourself, and move in ways that feel good to you. To say that it’s because of our chapters that countless lifelong friendships have become a reality is an understatement. Our chapters give women who used to run or work out alone a place to move together.

how to start a balg chapter

While we’d LOVE to have millions of chapters all over the world under the Badass Lady Gang, we know it takes a lot more than just starting one and giving you access to the Instagram handle. Below will detail the steps you’ll need to take if you want to create your own.

Requirements

• All chapters MUST have at least TWO dedicated co-leaders.

• Before any new chapter is established, both co-leaders must spend 1-3 months hosting regular meetups to prove that you both can build community, understand the responsibilities that come with leading a BALG chapter, and that you are both strong community leaders.

• Once you have hosted enough meetups to prove that you understand the responsibility, can grow a community, and are strong community leaders, you and your co-leader must fill out an application on BadassLadyGang.com.

• The Perks: All of our leaders get complimentary membership to the Badass Lady Gang Training Team and coaching in addition to discounts and BALG gear.

1. Prove you can gather women weekly for at least 1 month

First things first you need to prove before you apply to be an official chapter that you can gather a group of women regularly. If you can do this for at least a month or two before you apply, it’ll make the application process practically seamless!

While you may not use the Badass Lady Gang name until you’re officially a chapter, you’re more than welcome to use our online community to meet other women! It’s easy to post an event on our Mighty Network BALGcommunity.com, and we’re even happy to amplify meetups and share on Instagram for those not on Mighty Networks yet.

During the first 1-2 month period, we’re looking to see growth. We want to see that you can use your existing network and branch outside of it to bring people together regularly. Being a leader is a HUGE undertaking. If chosen to lead, you’ll be asked to post on your BALG chapter’s social media regularly to promote your meetups, continue to grow your chapter, connect with other groups in your community, and host a meetup at least once a week. We want to see that you have the bandwidth to host a meetup every week while continuing to grow your community.

2. Find a co-leader

EVERY chapter must have two co-leaders. It’s simply not possible to have a chapter otherwise! While you may have more than two co-leaders, it is more complicated to have more than two co-leaders. Both co-leaders must be present at weekly meetups and both leaders must share responsibilities equally. Use your trial period to figure out how you can collaborate, work together, effectively communicate and troubleshoot so that you can create a strong chapter.

3. Apply!

Applications for new chapters will open in the spring of 2022, and we will post on our Instagram page and here on badassladygang.com when they do! In the meantime, if being a BALG leader is something you’re interested in, don’t way until applications open to get started! You can start hosting runs now (and taking pictures!), so you’ll have months of proof before the time comes!