CHESTER, Vt. – What started as a simple observation of more people out enjoying Chester’s roads and trails this spring has grown into a new community tradition. The Chester Run Club, founded by local resident Emily Martonik, was created with a straightforward goal: bring runners of all abilities together to build friendships, stay active, and enjoy the miles together.
“Every time I drove through town, I kept seeing different people out running,” Martonik said. “I realized there were probably a lot of us running the same roads, just at different times. I thought it would be fun to create a space where people could meet and run together.”
The club meets every couple of weeks for a relaxed, 3-to-4-mile run through Chester. The emphasis isn’t on pace or performance, it’s on community. Runners naturally split into groups based on their speed, making the experience welcoming for everyone, from first-time runners to experienced marathoners.
“There are no expectations,” Martonik said. “Whether you’re training for a race or just looking to get outside and meet new people, everyone is welcome. We’ve even been running with our kids in jogging strollers some weeks.”
The club reflects a growing trend of informal community running groups popping up in towns across the country, offering an accessible way for people to improve their health while building meaningful local connections. With a few more runs planned as the season comes to a close, Martonik hopes the Chester Run Club becomes something residents can count on for years to come.
“It’s been really rewarding to see people who didn’t know each other a few months ago now making plans to run together outside of the club,” she said. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”
The Chester Run Club is open to runners of all experience levels. Information about upcoming group runs is shared through the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/chesterrunclubvt.