A bead of sweat trickled down my spine. It was Summer in Dalton, and the humidity hit like a sauna when you stepped out of the AC.
But the heat didn’t faze the crew from Soal Running Club. By 7 a.m. Saturday, runners had already gathered outside Casa del Café—some knocking out a six-miler, others joining in later for a three-miler. There were long-timers who’ve been here since the club began in 2023, and first-timers like me, all greeted with the same warm nods and easy smiles.
It didn’t take long to see why the group had grown. Their mission was palpable: create space for people to show up, move their bodies, and feel better in both body and “soal.”
From a Spontaneous Run to a Thriving Community
Local founders Geovanni Villa and Jorge Hurtado (Geo and Jorgie) were soccer teammates before they were runners. The club’s roots go back to a spontaneous Instagram Live run in 2023, where they answered questions and invited others into the journey. Two years later, the momentum is real, as nearly 40 people gather each Saturday, celebrating everything from birthdays to job changes, race finishes to health milestones.
Geo explained, “people come here to feel like part of something, especially after Covid. We have people come just to walk, then move into a jog-walk, then into full blown running. Our goal is to spread positive health habits in this community.”
Geo’s wife runs with him most days, and his parents have joined too. Healthy habits are contagious in the community.
Runner Ben Morales put it plainly while sipping his Yerba Mate: “Community is key. I like running, sure—but it’s the hangout after that I love.” He glanced at fellow runner Luis Guerrero and grinned. “This club changes lives.”
Luis smiles and admits that his one year running anniversary is this month. “This club has changed my health like a 180. I didn’t like running, but now I love it. This group is like a family, cheering me on to keep bettering myself.”
Many runners shared the “I hate running” sentiment before joining the club, but as newcomer Marlen explained after her first morning with the club, “Running used to be a punishment for me in soccer. If we messed up, we had to run. Now, I recognize that running is about finding my flow and balance. I did 6 miles this morning because I took it slow and paced myself with the group.”
How Soal Running Club Inspires Health, Connection, and Commitment
Coach Jorgie explained the group’s mission as connection, inspiration, and commitment. “Geo designed our logo with deep intention. Soal has three meanings: soul, sole (like shoes), and soal (Spanish for Sun). We added in the “a” and the philosophy of “Seeking Out Authentic Living.”
Coach Jorgie and Coach Geo design track workouts for participants on Wednesdays and running routes on Saturdays, depending on the race cycle. This Fall, Saturday runs will start at 6am to allow for half-marathon training.
Morales laughed with some fellow runners his new pacing slogan, “I don’t follow my pace, I follow my heart.” Jokes flew about trademarking it, making it his new Insta bio, or using it for merch. It’s refreshing and inspiring, visible proof of the connection many runners keep mentioning.
About that moment, the three milers finished their run, returning back to their close-knit community with fist bumps, clapping, and “nice run!”.
This group embodies their motto of “Suffer well.” As Jorgie explained, “We all remind each other to suffer well, that in life and running you sometimes get to a point where you can’t continue. But then you remember that optimism, that belief to do things “well”, and it brings you outcomes you didn’t expect.”
Follow Soal Running Club on Instagram for details and locations to join the run. @soalrunningclub
