Team Spotlight - Arete Women’s Running Club

This month the Zealios Team Spotlight is on Arete Women’s Running Club. A ladies club of 400 and growing! These runners log a lot of miles while balancing fun recovery activities like bRUNching. Learn more about the nationwide club!

Team Name:

Arete Women’s Running Club

Number of people on the team:

Almost 400, nationwide!

Location(s):

Santa Cruz, Oakland/East Bay, San Francisco & Peninsula, Sacramento, Colorado Springs, Midwest, San Diego, and a Remote Chapter with ladies from cities all over the country.

The @runarete_sandiego chapter at the iconic @carlsbad5000 this April

When did the team form?

Arete Women’s Running Club formed in 2016 because co-founders Mary and Melissa wanted to create an intermediate and advanced women’s running club in Santa Cruz for women who wanted to run fast and have a good time.

We started with a group of 20 women and the idea quickly took off. It was so well received in Santa Cruz, that we expanded to other locations by the second year.

What makes your team successful?

Our goal is to support women running and competing in all chapters of life in a fun and drama-free environment. We constantly strive to fulfill our mission and learn how we can constantly improve as an organization and team so women have the best experience possible.

Advantages of being on the Arete team?

From your teammates to your team leaders, you will feel so much support from the strong women around you. We provide optional workout plans, weekly track workouts and long run meet-ups, socials, race events, and all chapters events where you meet teammates from all over the country. We also have some pretty awesome team partners with our favorite companies, like Zealios!

Do you host camps?

Yes! We hosted one last year in Tahoe with over 50 teammates. We are planning this year’s event as we speak. Stay tuned!

What does your team do for fun?

Run! And when we’re not running, each chapter hosts seasonal socials where you have the chance to get to know teammates while wearing non-running clothes ;-)

Many chapters also meet for brunch after their long runs because who doesn’t love a good bRUNch?!

What are a few of the team’s top achievements?

We have women breaking all kinds of age group records from age 22 to 70! Since we have so many marathoners, notably, we have 10 teammates who’ve now run under 3 hours in the marathon. We even have a few who are gunning for the Olympic Trials Qualifying standard. We brought 50+ teammates to Boston Marathon this year and celebrated all weekend long!

70-year-old Brenda Lewis of @runarete_sacramento who finished the Shamrock’n 5k in 28:08, a smokin’ 9:03 pace.

The Arete Run Club crew at the 2019 Boston Marathon.

What do your team members like about Zealios?

It’s the perfect skincare product for runners! We especially love how when you apply the Sun Barrier sunscreen, it stays put and doesn’t get in your eyes when you sweat.

The skin lubricant, Betwixt has been clutch during this spring’s marathon training cycle, saving us all from the dreaded thigh chafing.

Thanks for supporting us (and our skin!) through all the miles!

Is the team still accepting members?

Yep! We are accepting members through May 2019!

Bonus Question: What is the craziest thing your team does during the year?

We’re seriously considering doing a top secret Undie Run and the winner gets a tub of Zealios Betwixt Skin Lubricant.

If you’d like to learn more about the Arete Women’s Running Club, reach out to:

Name: Mary Wright & Melissa McConville (Co-Founders)

Email Address: mary@runarete.com

Website: runarete.com

Social: @runarete