Girls Who Run Society: A day of sunrises, coffee and new friendships

October the 3rd marked the debut of Northumbria Girls Who Run, the universities newest society dedicated to running- and maybe a little bit of caffeine consumption. With two runs scheduled, one at sunrise and one at sunset- the day was packed with smiles, gorgeous views, and an unprecedented number of star jumps for the early hours of 7am.

7am: The sunrise run- where Star Jumps Meet Caffeine

Lets be honest, 7am is a cruel hour for anyone who isn’t a morning person, but that didn’t stop us from gathering outside the student union, bleary-eyed yet determined. The leader, Faith, decided to kick things off with a warmup that echoed our collective groans of reluctance. Now who would have thought star jumps would be the highlight of our morning? Faith did. Too early in the morning to endure the shocked stares of passers-by, we bounced around like kangaroos, desperately trying to shake off our drowsiness. We couldn’t help but think: “is this what adulthood looks like?” as we navigated the strange blend of embarrassment and exhilaration that came with our impromptu exercise. The crisp morning air was bracing, and though we might have felt ridiculous, there was a sense of camaraderie forming, fuelled by our shared struggle against the early hour.

Finally warmed up and possibly a little more awake than previously, we set off toward the quayside for the debut run. By Newcastle’s iconic quays, the sunrise was a beautiful gradient of pink and orange, which almost made me forget i had only gotten three hours of sleep (thanks, Netflix). In that very moment pausing by the river to soak it all in, we realised: this is why we got out of bed.

After conquering the incline of Kilimanjaro (also known as Grey Street), we made our way to Olive And Bean for some well-deserved coffee. The café served as a welcoming refuge from the biting cold of the northeast. As we settled in, the post-run glow gracefully faded, transforming into a satisfying sense of cosy euphoria. While sipping and engaging in lively conversation, one girl from Colorado shared captivating stories of home, the four seasons, and mouthwatering tales of s’mores that had us all craving chocolate. Meanwhile, another girl sparked drink envy among us all with her luxurious hot chocolate, adorned with enough whipped cream to proudly stand as a dessert on its own.

5PM: The Sunset Run- Exploring Ouseburn and ignoring Ice Cream Temptations

Fast forward to our 5PM run, where the number of participants had nearly doubled, probably because word had were no early alarms involved. This time we ventured through the artistic streets of Ouseburn. As we jogged past the boats and colourful murals, the runners were experiencing Newcastle’s true local charm. En route, passing Di Meos coffee shop felt like a slightly cruel joke for anyone trying to run past it without entering for a sweet treat. Seriously Strava, who decided Ice Cream should be within a two mile radius of a running route?

As we approached the Quayside Bridge, the sun was setting and casting a soft amber hue on the stone of the Tyne Bridge. The city was bathed in a warm glow, and in the distance, the Baltic Art Centre stood tall with a simple yet powerful message: “imagine peace”. In that moment we realised we were not just imagining peace, but actively creating it together.

Post-Run shenanigans: Coffee and Connections

Whilst we appeared to be basking in a golden streak of luck with the weather, zebra crossings and a rebellious army of red traffic lights quickly brought us back to reality. We wrapped up our run and reached The Flower Café for a well-earned post-run treat. Between sips of coffee and peach iced teas, our conversation blossomed, and friendships flourished.One moment we were debating our favorite running playlists, and the next we were plotting future ice cream outings (the irony definitely didn’t escape our sugar-craving brains).

If you are looking for a girl group that values fun, friendships and a little bit of fitness (and a healthy side of cake), come join us! Whether you are a seasoned runner, or just looking to break a sweat while sipping on a fancy drink, we promise you will find a place here. See you at the next run and remember: running is just a very slow way of getting to a café!