Today we’d like to introduce you to Ejay Perkins
Ejay, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Urbn Run Club San Diego started as an idea based of off the growing trend of fun focused run clubs that are trending all over the Country. The goal of Urbn Run is to bring the minority community together with the goal of staying active while meeting and networking with new people. We not only aim to run together but we want to be a group that fosters meaningful relationships with one another. Since August, we have grown to more than 65 people who meet regularly every Saturday at Ruocco Park, close to Seaport Village.
In addition to running, we create social meet-up’s at least once a month, to give people the opportunity to get dressed up and connect outside of working out. The best way to stay connected is through our instagram (Urbn.run).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a native to San Diego, I know that a major challenge is finding a community you feel that you belong in. Our goal is to create that community. San Diego is a Military town and with so many people coming here for the first time, we want Urbn Run to feel like home. Coming into the new year, we would love to find more opportunities to give back to the community as well as find sponsorships so that we are able to host even bigger networking and community engagement events.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work for the Port of San Diego during the day as a Governmental Relations specialist. I am a San Diegan through and through, graduating from Helix High School and San Diego State University. I am a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the first Black Fraternity founded on a Historically Black College campus. When I am not working or serving my community, I serve in my church, Grace Unity Church of San Diego. I am a father of two boys and aim to be the their biggest hero forever.
Starting this run club and planning these social events opened my eyes to the need for community and fitness. The success stories I have heard in Urbn Run’s short existence keeps me going. There are people that have never ran before, running 5k’s every Saturday. There are folks who ran their first marathon and ran it with people they met from run club. There are people who have even found their tattoo artist, their attorney, their accountability partner from this club. It is beautiful to watch relationships grow organically.
What’s next?
I am looking forward to Urbn Run’s growth, not just in the size of the club but in its impact. We run, we have fun, but I want our biggest flex to be the impact we leave on people’s lives. I want to leave a lasting impression whether it’s your first time or you come regularly. One part of our mission is to be inclusive and not exclusive so that means, if you are a walker, an aspiring runner, or an avid runner, Urbn Run is the place for you. No matter the race, your sexual orientation, your religion, we want to be a safe space for you to connect and feel apart. That is our goal for next year!
Pricing:
- We are donation based.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: urbn.run
- Facebook: Urbn Run Club San Diego
Image Credits
Michelle Tapia
IG: mychelleshots
IG: Urtapia
