A free neighborhood run club on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. We meet at the Spyglass access every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00am. Expect rocks, roots and limestone. Shoes are optional, and there's coffee at Blackbirds after.
Tuesday is for building. It's a beginner run that starts at one mile and grows a little each week until everyone finishes a 5k. It's an out-and-back upstream, so faster runners turn around later and we all finish together.
Thursday goes longer, from 5k up to 10k. We run downstream to Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero and back, then head upstream for whatever distance is left.
Every season starts again from the beginning on the equinox or solstice. Each block is named for its season, so you can always join at the start of the next one.
Every route starts and finishes at the Spyglass access. Pick a distance to see it on the map, then download the GPX to import into Strava or your watch.
| Wk | Tuesday | Thursday | Sunrise | Note |
|---|
In winter the sun comes up after 7:00, so the first part of most runs is in the dark. Bring a headlamp, and wear something reflective if you're coming along the road.
We're inspired by natural-movement writers and researchers like Katy Bowman, Christopher McDougall, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella and Daniel Lieberman. The idea is that your feet, legs and lungs adapt to whatever you give them, so give them real ground and give them time.
Minimal trail shoes and barefoot running are encouraged, not required. Run in whatever you've got. We'll never make anyone feel bad about cushioned shoes.
If you're new to minimal footwear, take it slowly. Try the Tuesday mile barefoot or in minimal shoes and switch back for anything longer. Calves and Achilles adapt more slowly than lungs do.
Run at a pace where you can talk. Short, light, quick steps work best over the limestone, and walking the technical bits counts as running.
The greenbelt has loose rock, roots, ledges and creek crossings. Look a few steps ahead and land softly. If you're barefoot, the rocky stretches are where you'll learn the most.
We meet at the Spyglass access to the Barton Creek Greenbelt, at the trailhead by Spyglass Dr and Barton Skyway. Look for the group and the headlamps.
Yes, and that's who Tuesday is for. It's a no-drop group, so nobody runs alone at the back. Come at the start of a season and you'll be running a 5k by the end of it.
No. Barefoot and minimal shoes are encouraged, but every kind of footwear is welcome.
We don't run in lightning or when the creek is flooding. Any changes get posted in the Strava club by 6:30am.
No, it's free. Coffee at Blackbirds afterwards is optional, and everyone pays for their own.
Leashed, trail-savvy dogs are welcome, and city leash rules apply. The trail is too rocky for strollers.