Young Halifax professionals build community through running

Emma Jacobson and Vicky Morgan met six months ago at a run club.

Now they run together every week as leaders of their own club.

In June, the Halifax women founded Easy Breezy Run Club, which runs five kilometres at 7 a.m. every Wednesday. They decided on this distance because it was achievable for all levels of runners. The run starts and ends at Cafe Byron on Agricola Street.

Jacobson and Morgan met last May at a pop-up running club, bonding over a shared dream. 

“We were chatting for 20 minutes and then I was, like, I’ve kind of always wanted to start a run club, and then Emma was like, ‘Me too,’ ” said Morgan.

Jacobson, 25, is an associate director of growth and operations at Sotheby’s International Realty. Morgan, 29, is a communications consultant with the government of Nunavut.

They were motivated to start the club because they couldn’t find one that fit what they were looking for.

“There weren’t a lot that started in the morning. There weren’t a lot that were women-led. And there weren’t a lot that were a little bit more approachable in terms of pace,” said Morgan.

Jacobson was a ballet dancer and ran as a sprinter in junior high school. She never ran more than 400 metres, but started running longer distances three years ago.

Morgan started running over three years ago. Prior to that she was part of a walking club. Since she is still new to running, she says she still feels like an impostor.

The goal of the running club is twofold: to be inclusive and build community, and to create an environment where the pace is negotiable.

The runner turnout varies week to week. During their first run they ran in a group of 16. Now, they have anywhere from 30 to upwards of 50 people attending.

Katie Ferreira has been running with Easy Breezy Run Club since its inaugural run in June 2025.

“Every Wednesday morning they make it apparent that anyone can do this at any pace.”

Ferreira appreciates how Jacobson and Morgan introduce themselves and welcome members before the start of the run, which she says makes it feel less awkward for new members.

During the run, Jacobson and Morgan move throughout the group. They chat with runners and give motivation to anyone who may be struggling. At least one of them is always running at the back of the group, to make sure no one gets left behind.

The club stops two kilometres into the run to take a group photo, while people catch their breath, chat with others, and wait for those running at the back.

“My worst nightmare is people feeling excluded,” said Jacobson.

After the run, members gather at Cafe Byron to sip coffee and socialize. It gives people the chance to meet each other and form new connections, which Jacobson says is hard to do in your 20s.

“One of the most rewarding parts of it has been seeing the friendships that have come out of it. When people hang out like outside of Run Club, I kick my feet,” said Jacobson.

Cole Kennedy started attending Easy Breezy after moving to Halifax from New Brunswick.

“My worst nightmare is people feeling excluded.”

Emma Jacobson

“Moving to the city, I kind of started to feel a little bit of disconnect because … I have my friends here, and I have my classmates here, but I found it really hard to put myself out there and meet new people,” he said.

During the six weeks Kennedy has attended, he says he has taken the opportunity to chat with other members and get to know them.

There is no prior requirement or sign-up sheet for joining the club. Anyone can show up outside of Cafe Byron before the run starts at 7 a.m.

 “I always say that people who live in the upstairs apartments must not like Wednesday mornings,” says Kennedy.

Running clubs are growing in popularity. According to running, cycling and hiking app Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report, which surveys the app’s users worldwide, there was a 59 per cent increase in run club participation, while 48 per cent of people said their primary reason for joining a fitness group was social connection.

Easy Breezy plans to keep running through the winter, depending on weather conditions. “As long as people want it and want to run and want that community, we’ll be here for it,” said Jacobson.