Stephenville Run Club Grows From a Facebook Group to a Community

BY LAUREN JESKEVIC

Multimedia Journalist

Every Saturday morning in Stephenville, a group of runners laces up their shoes for more than just a quick workout. Some are training for marathons, others are working toward their very first mile, and many show up simply for the community waiting at the starting line. What began as a small Facebook group in 2021 has transformed into a tight-knit family.

Founder Julie Brinkley launched the Stephenville Run Club in April 2021 alongside three friends. Her goal was simple: recreate the welcoming environment she experienced while running with a club at the 2019 NYC Half Marathon. When Brinkley first took up running in 2012, her husband was already a lifelong runner, which often left her feeling intimidated and out of place. That early struggle built her desire to build a supportive space where beginners would feel instantly welcomed rather than overwhelmed.

The club operates under the motto “all faces, paces and races,” reflecting its commitment to runners of every skill level. The group welcomes everyone from walk-runners and beginners to competitive ultra-marathoners.

“We are a unique bunch,” Brinkley said. “Absolute strangers that now share so much life, miles, travels, victories and struggles.”

That welcoming atmosphere draws members from across Central Texas, with runners regularly traveling from Granbury, Comanche, and Wichita Falls to join the weekend meetups. Over the years, Brinkley has guided members through Couch to 5K programs and celebrated first-time mile finishes, while the club’s active online group gives members a place to share training updates, ask for advice, and celebrate progress between runs.

The club has also created several annual traditions that extend beyond regular weekend miles. A Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot that began with 35 participants has grown majorly. To keep training engaging throughout the year, original member Neely Carter designs monthly bingo boards featuring creative challenges, such as capturing a photo at sunset, spotting local statues or setting a personal distance goal.

While the club emphasizes fun and accessibility, members also tackle serious endurance events. Member Jason Huffman introduced the group to North Carolina’s Blackbeard’s 100-mile race, which has since become an annual challenge for the club's ultra-runners and support crews. Members also frequently plan “runcations” together, traveling to major races in New York, Berlin, Chicago and Nashville.

For Brinkley, the standout moments are rooted in how members show up for one another. When she completed the Boston Virtual Marathon, around 40 club members took turns running eight- to ten-mile shifts alongside her so she would never have to push through the distance alone. Later, the club rallied at the Cowtown Marathon to cheer Carter across the finish line as he earned his Boston Marathon qualifying time.

Brinkley, who once worried she would never finish her first 5K, is currently preparing for her seventh marathon in Chicago. Yet her ultimate purpose remains the same as when the club first started: giving local runners a reason to get out the door and a supportive team waiting for them when they do.

For anyone hesitant to join or slow to call themselves a runner, Brinkley's advice is clear: “Just start.”