A gentle post-lockdown jog with a friend has grown into a genuine Sunderland sporting success story.
Doxy Runners meets twice a week, welcoming up to 90 members of all ages, abilities and experience to its “start and finish line” at the Thomas Allen Community Centre in Doxford Park.
With organised routes and groups of varying fitness levels led by experienced runners, the club has become a magnet for people keen to improve their fitness, enhance their mental wellbeing, meet new friends and catch up with old ones.
Created in October 2023 by Michael Carr, Doxy Runners has become adept at smashing its own records. Anyone who’s witnessed the large gathering of runners conducting their warm-up in the community centre car park, might be surprised to learn it all started with two friends going for a jog as COVID lockdown rules were relaxed.
Michael, 40, said: “I’ve always been a runner and take my trainers with me when I’m on the road. After COVID, I had a friend who was having a hard time, as many were after lockdown. I suggested going for a run to get out in the fresh air – it turned into a regular thing and once a week became twice a week and so on. We were discussing it in a group chat and it was suggested we join a running club and before I knew what was happening, I’d unintentionally started one.”
Since officially launching Doxy Runners, Michael has seen numbers grow dramatically, mainly through positive word of mouth. From a handful of friends to partners of friends, then friends of friends, Michael said popularity grew rapidly, with the demographic changing from 95% men to the majority now being women.
“That’s one of the great benefits of Doxy Runners,” he said. “It offers female runners an element of safety when they could otherwise be restricted to specific routes, especially on the dark winter nights. And that’s a key point, Doxy Runners is not just about running or competing, it’s about feeling better about yourself, feeling safe and protected when out exercising, catching up with friends and generally enhancing your wellbeing. If you want to compete or challenge yourself, you can and that’s great, but I think a lot of members come because they enjoy the camaraderie and company.”
Michael, who works in IT support, started Doxy Runners as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and membership is free. However, members contribute towards minibus hire for longer runs and with merchandise and equipment available to purchase through the club, Michael turned to the North East BIC for support.
The BIC’s social enterprise support in Sunderland helps the development of the social economy within the city through the Wear Together Initiative, working with local residents and groups to start a social enterprise or co-operative and help the city’s social enterprises to develop and grow.
BIC adviser, Anthony McDermott worked with Michael to provide early start-up advice helping formalise Doxy Runners as a CIC and provide guidance on tax implications of any income received.
Anthony said: “Working with Michael has been a great example of how strong community ideas can grow into impactful social enterprises. Doxy Runners didn’t start as a business, but from drive and desire to support people’s wellbeing and bring communities together, it became one.
“Like the club’s members, we moved quickly to help Michael get up and running. We advised on launching merchandise and events and it has been fantastic to see how quickly it has grown and people have embraced the many benefits membership of the club can offer.
“Doxy Runners has developed into an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, regardless of ability or background. The strong social aspect is embraced by the members who also gain friendship and support to achieve personal goals.”
Such has been the success of the club it is already expanding. A satellite group meets a minimum of once a week in Roker and Fulwell that regularly attracts between 15-20 runners.
Michael added: “We work hard to keep things interesting for members by organising social runs on Sunday mornings. Two or three minibuses pick up in Doxford Park and take us to mystery locations from which we run back. People go at different paces, take varying routes and run in groups with friends and everyone seems to enjoy the challenge of it.
“The BIC, and Anthony in particular, has been extremely helpful and its support has helped us move at pace, its expertise helping the club accelerate through the bureaucracy.”
The Wear Together Initiative has received £148,638 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme which is managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.