A Sydney running group created by Tara Meakins has become a powerful example of how community sport can help people overcome loneliness and build meaningful connections.

The Coogee Run Club began in 2022 after Tara Meakins and co-founder Hannah were looking for a local running community after returning to Australia. What started as a simple idea to bring people together for coastal runs quickly developed into a large social movement.

The club has grown from a small gathering of runners into a community attracting thousands of members. While running remains the foundation, the group’s focus is much broader — creating friendships, encouraging inclusion and giving people a place where they feel they belong.

Tara Meakins says the club is not only about fitness. For many members, it has become a way to meet new people, especially those who have moved to Sydney, started a new stage of life or struggled to find social connections.

The popularity of the club reflects a wider trend across Australia, where people are increasingly joining community groups to reconnect in person. After years of increased online interaction and social isolation, many Australians are looking for activities that combine health, friendship and real-world connection.

Coogee Run Club welcomes runners of all abilities, from beginners to experienced athletes. The group’s philosophy is based around making everyone feel included, regardless of speed or fitness level. Members run together, regroup during sessions and often continue socialising afterwards with coffee or other activities.

The club operates multiple weekly sessions around Sydney’s eastern suburbs, including runs near Coogee Beach, Maroubra and Queens Park. The sessions are designed to be accessible, with no strict competition requirements and an emphasis on community participation.

For many members, joining the club has provided more than physical benefits. Participants describe gaining confidence, forming friendships and developing a stronger connection to their local area.

Experts have increasingly recognised the role of community exercise groups in improving social wellbeing. Research into community walking and running programs has found that group-based physical activity can support social connection and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Tara Meakins has become a recognisable figure in Australia’s running community, using the club’s popularity to promote positive messages around movement, friendship and mental wellbeing.

The success of Coogee Run Club also highlights changing attitudes towards fitness. Many people are moving away from traditional ideas of exercise being only about performance or competition. Instead, social fitness groups are becoming places where people can improve their health while also creating a support network.

The club’s growth demonstrates the power of simple ideas: bringing people together, encouraging healthy habits and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

As cities continue to face challenges around loneliness and social isolation, community groups like Coogee Run Club show how local connections can make a significant difference in people’s lives.