Rooted in connection, culture and a shared love of movement, Drs.Paces has quickly become one of the most recognisable community-focused run clubs for students and young professionals across Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US. What started as a passion project between friends has evolved into a multi-city running collective that champions inclusion, social energy and the belief that progress is most powerful when it’s shared. In this interview, co-founder, Rakan, reflects on the origins of the club, what makes each community unique, and how Drs.Paces continues to bring people together—one run, one conversation, and one city at a time.

Tell us a bit about your club – when did it start and what inspired its creation?

Drs.Paces is a social-driven, community-focused run club inspired by the fitness groups and student communities I (Rakan, Co-founder) was part of during my current university years. Being surrounded by people who pushed each other to become healthier, build discipline, and form genuine connections made a huge impact on me. I saw how powerful it was when a simple activity like running brought people together and created lasting habits. “That experience made me realize how much potential there is to build something similar back home. Saudi Arabia has a uniquely strong athletic culture. People here love to challenge themselves, support each other, and celebrate progress. I wanted to take advantage of that energy and create a space where anyone, no matter their background or fitness level, could show up, run, grow, and feel like they belong.

What makes your run club unique?

It depends on which city we’re running in: Jeddah, London, Manchester, Loughborough, Boston each of our communities has its own identity. In every city, we focus on creating a unique experience for our runners and the people around them. We don’t just copy and paste the same format; we build something that fits the culture, the energy, and the landscape of that place. If we go back to our roots, one of the biggest reasons Drs.Paces grew so quickly was our runs at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, one of the most prestigious Formula 1 tracks in the world. The hosting community runs in a location that is iconic and immediately sets us apart and creates unforgettable experiences. In Great Britain/Usa, our approach is different. We capitalize on the beautiful scenic routes, historic streets, and special locations that each city has to offer. Whether it’s peaceful trails, riverside paths, or the unique character of each university town, we tailor the atmosphere to what makes that place inspiring. At the end of the day, the core stays the same community, movement, and connection but the experience is customized to every city we touch.

How would you describe your community in three words?

I think the 3 main words that would describe DRS would be “Social” “Fun” “Energizing”

What’s a typical run session like with your club?

A typical run begins with a 10-minute gathering window where our runners check in, catch up, review the route, and get their Garmins and Stravas ready. It’s a relaxed moment that helps everyone settle in and feel connected before we start moving. After that, we go into our warm-up routine and then head into the run itself.” One thing I consider essential and something that has become part of our identity—is the post-run gathering. We always make space to meet up at a café or social spot right after the run. Whether it’s a matcha, a coffee, or a protein shake, we spend about 40 minutes just talking, recovering, and building relationships. That social element is what transforms a run club into a community.

How many members do you currently have, and what distances or types of running do you focus on?

On average, our runs bring together about 30–50 people in each location, although the numbers can grow depending on our collaborations and special events. Because we prioritize community and social connection, we intentionally keep our runs accessible, usually in the 3–5 km range at a moderate pace. This helps create an environment where anyone can join, meet new people, and enjoy the experience without feeling intimidated. The only exception is our signature Circuit Run at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where we complete the full length of the track, which is approximately 6.1 km. It’s a unique experience and one of the reasons our community grew so quickly, but we still make sure it stays inclusive and fun for runners of all levels.

What does the running community in your city mean to you?

I’ve personally had the privilege of leading runs in Jeddah, Loughborough, and London, and I hold every kilometer from those experiences close to my heart. Drs.Paces is a passion project something I built out of pure love for community, movement, and connection. Seeing it grow and seeing how many doors it has opened for our runners, and even for myself, is something I’m incredibly proud of. Every run reminds me why we started: to bring people together, to create opportunities, and to build a culture around healthy habits and meaningful relationships. It’s more than running, it's something that genuinely changes people’s lives, including mine.

How has your club helped bring runners together – especially new or first-time runners?

Runners often need that initial spark of motivation to build their pace and endurance during the first few kilometers. To support them, my partners and I created designated zones along the route where each pacer would run, motivate participants, give advice, and help with form adjustments. This not only boosted their confidence but also set them up for that post-run dopamine rush that keeps them coming back. From an organizational perspective, during our first month or two we intentionally limited the distance to 3 kilometers, a manageable and inclusive distance for runners of all levels. This helped us ensure a positive experience for beginners while still providing value to more experienced runners.

Do you have any special traditions, post-run rituals or memorable community events?

Coffee, matcha, protein shakes, whatever our runners enjoy, we make sure the post-run experience matches their vibe. We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the biggest cafés in Saudi, including Archi and Laguna, and we even hosted an event where we closed out a lululemon store and brought in a DJ to create an unforgettable post-run atmosphere, or in the UK we were lucky enough to host a run with “The Hardest Geezer” Russel Cook. The lululemon event was a personal highlight for me. It’s one of my favorite brands, so partnering with them felt like a real milestone. With over 200 runners showing up, the energy was incredible, and the positive, thoughtful feedback we received made the entire experience especially meaningful.

What role do you think running plays in building a stronger, healthier local community?

When you look at running, you realize it’s the foundation for so many other sports and competitions. Once people start running and improve their endurance and confidence, they often feel inspired to take on new challenges and explore other athletic avenues. Some of our runners in London and Loughborough, for example, have already signed up for fitness competitions like Hiipe or Hyrox to showcase their progress and test their abilities on a bigger stage. It really highlights how quickly a strong fitness community can inspire growth and lead people to achieve things they might not have imagined when they first started.

How do you encourage inclusivity within your club – from beginners to seasoned athletes?

The simple solution would be to create pace groups splitting runners into moderate and faster categories along the same course. But I try to bring everyone together and focus on the idea that at DRS, we thrive as one pack. I’ve noticed that the larger and more unified the group is, the stronger the energy becomes toward the finish. Ending together makes the run feel more powerful and ultimately much more rewarding for everyone.

What motivates your members to keep showing up and running – even on the tough days?

A big part of what keeps our runners coming back is the community. Many of them have formed their own friend groups through our runs, and the idea of catching up with those friends becomes a real motivator. Since most of our runners are recent graduates or university students with packed schedules, that two-hour block the run plus the post-run hangout becomes something they genuinely look forward to. It’s a chance to unwind, connect, and de-stress, which makes the experience just as rewarding socially as it is physically.

What’s been one of your proudest moments as a club?

I mean this wholeheartedly and I even mentioned it during my last run in Jeddah before moving back to the UK being recognized by The Run Show DXB was truly an honor. Having our run club invited and acknowledged at such a prestigious event, surrounded by some of my own running idols and some of the biggest names in the sport, felt incredibly rewarding. It was a moment that reinforced how far we’ve come and how meaningful our community has become.

Do you have a favourite local race or route in the UAE?

We branched off of running at a formula 1 track so maybe the idea of running the Yas Marina circuit would be a dream.

How do you think events like The Run Show can help strengthen the running community in the UAE?

We all know how many influencers, athletes, marketers, and entrepreneurs in the fitness world are based in Dubai, and it can be challenging to keep up with such a dynamic environment. But in a world where networking is essential for growth, events like The Run Show can create incredible opportunities. They bring together the right people, spark new collaborations, and help shape future success stories not just in the UAE, but globally.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining a run club for the first time?

Get ready to be social, because run clubs bring together some of the happiest, most welcoming groups you’ll ever meet. You’ll find yourself connecting with people faster than you expect. And don’t worry about your ability level every runner starts somewhere, and every run club has a place for you. All you have to do is show up.

How do you see running culture evolving in the UAE over the next few years?

The UAE has the potential to become a true hub for runners, offering a landscape rich with races, events, and shows that provide everything athletes need to succeed.

What’s next for your club – any big goals, events or collaborations on the horizon?

Expansion, expansion, expansion! Our vision is to bring run clubs to new continents, connecting runners everywhere and creating communities in every corner of the world. Along the way, we’re building exciting collaborations, with upcoming runs planned alongside brands like Lululemon, Red Bull, Calo, and more.