Owen Ahibi Herrera started his running club with the desire to find new friends and feel part of a community after moving to a new city. This small initiative gradually grew into a large group, with over 30,000 people participating annually in events hosted by the Peak and Pace club in New York.
The club achieved significant financial success: in 2025, it earned $640,000, equivalent to approximately 60 million rupees. However, Herrera emphasized that this entire income did not go to him personally; he used all the funds for the further development of the club.
Although daily training sessions at the club are free, profit is generated through paid parties and other social events, which helps cover the club's operating expenses. Herrera stated that running ceased to be just a way to maintain physical fitness; it became an opportunity for meeting people and spending time together.
Herrera, who moved from London to New York, initially aimed to make friends, but this goal led him to the idea of creating a running club that is now a company with over 60 million rupees in revenue. He launched Peak and Pace in July 2024, and initially, only 12 participants were present at the first run, but the numbers gradually increased.
To make participation accessible to everyone, Herrera kept the running activity free. Revenue was generated by organizing paid events, such as comedy nights, hiking trips, and skiing excursions, tickets for which cost between $15 and $25. Thus, the club, which brought people together for running, became a model for generating income.
According to a CNBC Make It report, in 2025, the club generated revenue of $640,000 (about 60 million rupees) with an overall profitability of about 15 percent. Furthermore, as Herrera clarified on LinkedIn, he did not extract funds for personal enrichment but directed them toward development. For instance, hosting a 5-kilometer race and a festival at Governors Island required expenses of around $150,000.
Creating this club was not easy for Herrera, as he was simultaneously working at JP Morgan and developing the club. According to the report, he worked about 18 hours daily for approximately a year. His story demonstrates how a small attempt to make acquaintances can lead to something significant. For Herrera, the running club became not only a business but also a means of building a community where people can gain fitness, friendship, and new experiences.
In India, running is also evolving beyond being solely a way to maintain fitness. Especially among the youth, running clubs are becoming a platform for socializing, making friends, and spending time together. In cities like Bangalore, people gather for runs on weekends and then socialize over coffee or breakfast. Places like Cubbon Park, Sankey Road, and Kaikondrahalli Lake are used for making new acquaintances during runs.
Many running groups include people who had not previously engaged in regular running. After group runs on weekends, breakfast or a small gathering is often organized, which simplifies and makes starting sports more enjoyable. Additionally, major half marathons and other running competitions are held in India, attracting both young and elderly participants. Social media has also contributed to this trend, motivating many to join groups by watching photos and videos of runs and subsequent gatherings.
The Peak and Pace story shows that a monetization model can be built around free activities that bring people together. Although the running itself is free, revenue is generated through participation in parties, weekend trips, and other special events. Running clubs in India can use similar approaches: for example, selling tickets to events, organizing weekend trips, selling t-shirts and other merchandise, and partnering with cafes, sports brands, and fitness companies to open avenues for earning. Another option could be organizing public events supported by brands.
However, it is important to understand that the total revenue of a club is not always equal to its profit. Significant funds are spent on event venues, staff, transportation, equipment, and event organization. Sponsor support also plays an important role in large running events.
