Things began to take foot when a small group of friends participated in their church run club. Being a part of this, they realized something – how quickly relationships were cultivated. And they loved that.
“We noticed a growing need amongst our 20-30 [year old] age group for [a sense of] community,” Jack DeBoer explained.
As many can probably attest, our nation’s younger generations have been faced with a greater sense of loneliness, disconnection, and a drought of opportunity for social connection.
He mentions that people yearn for a connection with others who “care about you on a deeper level than just a ‘hey, how ya doin?’”
With that, the small group of friends—Dylan Gibbs, Jack DeBoer, Nate Nagelkerke, Hallie Hulst, Bella Prins, and Julio Rivera—joined together to create an environment where this connection could thrive.
That spark grew into Grounded Run Club, a group that has since blossomed into a vibrant community of runners, walkers, and coffee drinkers here in our home of West Michigan.
The club’s difference really starts with their name – Grounded. Jack explains, “We chose the name Grounded because our desire was to be more than just a run club. We believe you become what you’re grounded in. We wanted to see people grounded in community, their health, and in their faith.”
The club's mission? "Our values guide us, and we strive to love, sharpen, encourage, celebrate and empower each individual that joins our community. From the walking groups to the seasoned marathoner, we desire everyone become Grounded together."
A unique aspect of the club’s brand is the logo – the Hebrew letter “G.” It’s printed on the back of the club’s hoodies and tees, and serves as a nod to the biblical roots that inspired the creation of the group.
While faith is at the center, the club welcomes everyone – marathoners chasing their next personal best, parents with strollers, and walkers just starting out. To Jack, the club is a chance to connect with “all walks of life – old/young, fast/slow, introverted/extroverted, loves Jesus/doesn’t love Jesus. We see the value in consistent connection.”
And consistency is definitely written in their schedule.
⏱️ 9 AM
🗓️ Every Other Saturday
📍 Locations Vary
Every other week, Grounded maps out a new route using Strava, a progress tracker for workouts, particularly geared toward running. Their locations range from lakeshore trails near Holland to paved paths like Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. It’s important to reach as many runners in their particular area as possible, so locations vary with each meetup.
After a short introduction and warmup, pace groups set off together, spanning from 8-minute miles to walking groups.
The club’s goal is simple: “No one runs alone – even if that means slowing down to be with another person.”
After all 3.1 miles are done and dusted, runners and walkers alike are encouraged to head to a nearby local coffee shop, where conversations often prove just as important as the workout itself.
Jack describes this time as a chance to “enjoy fellowship with each other and a fresh cup of coffee.”
And honestly, what’s better than a cup of coffee after clocking in a few morning miles?
Since the start, Grounded Run Club has always been more than the running. It’s about creating a space where people can grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally – and where friendships have room to flourish.
“Running flows into so many different aspects of life,” Jack reflected. “The desire to grow, eat healthy, meet friends, challenge ourselves, have hard conversations, be vulnerable, cultivate meaningful friendships. Everyone that comes has a story, and we hope to make Grounded a healthy environment for all of them.”
When asked where he thinks the club will go as it grows, Jack noted that it is “ultimately up to the Lord, but we certainly have some ideas. But some doors would need to open for us to step in any direction and so far the doors that have been needed have opened.”
He mentioned that they hope to start an endurance-focused side to Grounded – “This will include a race team which we will hand select members from our group to represent the club at the various races around the area!”
But no matter how it evolves, the heart of the club will stay the same: the people.
When asked what he hopes members take away from participating in Grounded meet-ups, Jack said that people feel, “Seen, known and loved. These are the values we instill into each leader of the club and hope to see bleed into each person who shows up.”
“There have been many moments that have made us say, this is why we’re doing this, but the most obvious one is seeing people actually engage with and care about one another.”
Jack says, “People need people now more than they ever have, and that is for all ages.”
While we may have vast social environments that exist online, real in-person opportunities dwindle. It’s unnatural for people to rely solely on virtual interactions, as human connection truly thrives on physical presence and shared experiences.
Like Jack says, “When you do hard things with people, suffer with them, you hear their stories.”
This is why grassroot social opportunities, like Grounded Run Club, have become an oasis.
“There’s no other feeling than hearing a stranger’s story, processing their pain, their successes, their goals with them, and watching them grow as a person.”
The same faces tend to show up week after week. You witness their ambition, their progress, and gain a sense of familiarity and fruitfulness from their presence. You may not have known them at first, but along the way you begin to feel a quiet connection, a shared rhythm of effort and growth that turns strangers into familiar companions.
“It has been really cool to see how God has used people’s gifts to steward a group of people,” Jack says.
Because for Grounded, running has truly become more than the miles.
Looking to Attend a Grounded Run Club Meet-Up?
Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.
Copyright © 2025 Hollander Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written authorization. By providing your email or phone number, you are consenting to receive emails, calls, and SMS/MMS messages from The Hollander and affiliates. Msg & data rates may apply.
