We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaci Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jaci, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.
The road to start Dogtown Running Club began during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the world was flipped upside down and so much of what was ahead was uncertain, running is what I held close to my heart. Having lost what then was my dream job due to the pandemic, so much of my perceived identity was lost. The energy I poured into my career for years was suddenly diminished to a small severance package, the elimination of daily human connection, and many hours alone with my own self-pitying thoughts. Running was the one thing in my life I felt in control over. Running became my best friend, my confidant, a place where I could dream, discover and challenge myself. Movement through running became my therapy—on both the good and bad days. The truth is, you never return from a run regretting it. There’s always something to take away, even if it’s just the reminder that you showed up for yourself.
I’ve always had a passion for organizing and bringing people together. When I was ten, I put together a car wash to raise money for homeless pets. Later, I took on an events role on the United Way Committee at my previous company. Coordinating people wasn’t just a skill—it fueled me. But despite my deeply personal love for running, I had no close friends or family members who shared that passion. As vaccines rolled out and the world started feeling a little more normal, I found myself craving community. I’d pass dozens of runners in Forest Park—one of the biggest urban parks in the country—and wonder, Why am I doing this alone?
So, without research or ever having attended a running club myself, I made the decision to start one.
At first, my goals for the club were small—honestly, I didn’t have a clear vision. I posted in my neighborhood’s Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in a weekly run. Within hours, 20 to 30 people responded enthusiastically. Two weeks later, on March 10, 2021, we held our first group run. I’d love to say I stepped into that first run with confidence, but the truth is, I was terrified. Organizing and communicating were one thing—but leading people? Having complete strangers trust me to show up and create something meaningful? That felt overwhelming. I was physically sick with nerves before I even stepped out the door. But just like on every solo run before, I reminded myself to trust the unexpected.
Today, I stand in front of 200 runners, walkers, dogs, and kids every Wednesday night, giving announcements before our group run. It took time to build confidence, and there was plenty to learn along the way. But what I’ve gained from this experience is immeasurable. The lessons, the growth, the connections—they all reinforced what I now know to be true: When people come together around a shared passion, everything else falls into place.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Founding the running club began out of my own personal, authentic passion for the sport, and a strong desire to meet others with the same sentiment. My vision was to create a space of excitement over our shared passion, help runners discover their potential, and build a community that motivated and inspired it’s members.
Dogtown Running Club meets twice a week, and we’re proud to have consistently provided an option that supports both advanced runners and those just beginning on their journey. Dogtown neighborhood is nestled just past the St. Louis City / County border, and next to the gem of St. Louis, Forest Park (3x as big as Central Park!), which includes a 6-mile outer biking and running loop. So, Forest Park has truly been a sanctuary for our members. Our Wednesday night group runs provide runners with two options to choose from — a 2-mile (short) run and a 4-mile (long) run. Afterwards, it’s become a custom to hang out for a bite and a beer or two at Heavy Riff Brewing while members get to know one another, discuss their running pursuits, tell stories, and share laughs. Our Saturday morning group runs are reserved for those training for longer races, typically a 10K or above. As marathon seasons come and go, this core group continues to evolve, providing steady motivation and support for one another over the past four years. It’s common to find a handful of runners eager to tack on extra miles—made even better by the simple joy of not having to do it alone.
What’s wonderful about the local St. Louis running community is every group or training team has their own flair, yet the reason we run remains the same, and so with that comes a really tight-knit, supportive community. You’ll often see runners from Dogtown Running Club also frequenting one or two of the many other groups to choose from around the city. I think what makes our club uniquely ‘Dogtown’ is our members desire to be engrained in the community. Our culture has developed into one that uplifts new sub-groups of interest, which has been a haven for those looking to continue to foster meaningful connections through their shared interests. Things like book club, pickleball, BRICK (biking and running in combination), trivia nights, and a hiking group,
WHAT I’M MOST PROUD OF – GIVING CULTURE
The giving culture of DTRC is what I’m most proud of. Themed runs with fundraising components, events that educate and inspire, and opportunities to make our miles matter—this is what defines us. From raising thousands of dollars for local nonprofits to hosting runs that spark important conversations, we’ve proven that running can be a force for change. Below are the fundraising and giving events we hosted in 2024.
Light Up the Night (International Women’s Day): Brought runners together to shed light on violence against female runners, featuring real stories and discussions led by female leaders.
Global Running Day Field Games: $280 raised for a youth running club. Collected unwanted shoes, with $2.50 per pair donated to the Bear Cubs Running Team, thanks to On Running & Running Niche.
Pride Run: Raised $1,742 for Metro Trans Umbrella Group, with runners dressed in rainbow colors and a pre-run talk from MTUG. Donors received Hoka hats or bandanas.
On Running Demo & St. Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf Fundraiser: Raised $780 while simulating hearing loss with earplugs and a speaker discussion. Donors entered a raffle for On Running gear.
Back to School Run & Boys Hope Girls Hope Fundraiser: Collected $1,107 in funds and school supplies while runners repped their high school or college alma mater.
World Mental Health Day Run (with lululemon): Ambassadors shared how movement impacts mental health, setting intentions for the run, followed by a DJ-led celebration.
Plogging with Hoka: Combined running with community cleanup, collecting trash along the way.
Candy Cane Lane Holiday Unity Run & 100 Neediest Families Fundraiser: Raised $1,500 for United Way’s 100 Neediest Families while runners from across St. Louis ran in their most festive gear.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was trying to manage every individual’s experience instead of trusting the culture we built. Empathy and observation have always been my strengths, and in a community-focused group like Dogtown Running Club, culture is everything—it shapes a person’s experience and their willingness to engage.
As our numbers grew past 200+ runners at a time, I found myself overextending, letting every interaction or observation consume my thoughts. Last summer, stress started affecting my health, forcing me to step back and rethink what it meant to be a leader. While empathy and care have been at the heart of growing this club, I realized that leadership also means trusting the community to support itself. Instead of carrying the weight alone, I’ve learned to empower others and let go where I need to—so both the club and I can continue to thrive.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Something I’m especially proud of is how Dogtown Running Club has stayed true to what brought us together in the first place—running. Our reputation has been built on a deep-rooted passion for the sport and an eagerness to immerse ourselves in the broader St. Louis running community. Whether it’s showing up at races, volunteering at events, or bringing new ideas to life, our members don’t just participate—they contribute. That collective energy and commitment to running, in all its forms, is what sets us apart and continues to make DTRC such a special place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogtownrunningclub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogtownrunningclub
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaci-wilson-6b03ab8b/
- Other: https://www.strava.com/clubs/dogtownrunningclub
Image Credits
Robert Holloway