30 Years Strong: The Melrose Running Club
Written and Photographed By Nancy Clover
This week, the Melrose Running Club celebrated an incredible milestone — 30 years of running, community, and giving back.
Founded in 1996, the club started with a small group of runners meeting at a local running store. What began as a casual weekly run quickly grew into one of Melrose’s most active and impactful community organizations.
Today, the club includes hundreds of runners of all ages and abilities—from beginners taking their first steps to marathon veterans chasing big goals.
The Melrose Running Club isn’t just about miles — it’s about connection and community.
- Weekly runs (Tuesday nights, plus track and long runs)
- A hugely popular Walk-to-Run program that has helped countless people become runners. New program starting on April 28.
- Social events, team races, and year-round camaraderie
But what truly sets the club apart is its commitment to giving back.
For three decades, the club has raised money and supported local causes through signature events like the Melrose Run for Women (Mother’s Day tradition supporting the Melrose Alliance Against Violence) and the Mount Hood Nutcracker Challenge (supporting local families and youth programs).
Members also volunteer, donate, and support families in need throughout the year — including this week, where they collected toiletries, making a real difference beyond the roads and trails.
Thirty years later, the Melrose Running Club is still going strong — not because of speed or competition, but because of something more powerful: community, consistency, and heart.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful journeys don’t start with a finish line — they start with simply showing up...and running together.
