Poopy_McPoop_Face t1_je2ib0s wrote on March 28, 2023 at 10:55 PM

Reply to comment by blainemoore in Where do Single People in there 20s & 30s meet each other in Maine? by [deleted]

I've been thinking about giving this a try. Not just to find a romantic partner, but also for the active community aspect. Are there any open running groups you'd suggest?

blainemoore t1_je2kcnw wrote on March 28, 2023 at 11:09 PM

There are a lot, depending where you live.

If you are midcoast to southern Maine, the Maine Track Club has regular runs and is the largest club in the state.

If you are fast, Dirigo has weekly runs. You do need to run fast enough to meet standards to join.

If you enjoy trails, Trail Monster Running usually has at least two group runs a week. Anybody is welcome to join TMR runs even if they aren't a member. Runs vary in location.

From the end of May through the end of August, the Weekly Back Cove 5k Series in Portland is every Wednesday night at 6pm. You pay once whether you run one race or all 14 (so keep your bib) and it's a good size crowd without being so huge you get lost, 150-250/wk. (Disclaimer: I'm one of the race directors for the series.)

Those are the groups in most involved with. There are others, you can search the rrca.org website for other clubs in the state, especially if you aren't in the Portland area. Crow Athletics, Thick Quad Squad, Eden Athletics, I know Portland has a regular Pub Run group, and I think Bangor might too?

Poopy_McPoop_Face t1_je30o6w wrote on March 29, 2023 at 1:10 AM

Thanks for these ideas! I should have specified that I'm in the Portland area, but willing to drive a bit. I'll likely start checking out these groups this summer and see how it goes.

blainemoore t1_je31qfr wrote on March 29, 2023 at 1:18 AM

I used to live in Portland; other than the back cove series I don't get there too often anymore.

My recommendations:

Join the TMR email list, every Wednesday am email goes out with anything trail related for the next week (runs, races, challenges, etc.) There's a Facebook group as well, but the email has more regular info about upcoming runs.
Join the MTC Facebook group. There's an email list too, but more ad hoc runs are organized through Facebook and it's a good spot to ask.
Sign up for back cove... Not that I'm biased about that one... :)

I've heard good things about the pub runs if that is your thing, but they started after I left town and I haven't joined them.

Fleet Feet on marginal way is also a great resource; they have a paid run club and training programs for specific races that's another great resource for meeting people regularly. I used to help coach their program back when it was still Maine Running Company (stopped coaching almost a decade ago) but I'm still in touch with them regularly through the back cove series.