In Hyderabad, weekends are evolving with a fresh concept: ‘run plus’ gatherings. These events blend physical activity with social fun, featuring everything from post-run brunches to casual tea sessions, making fitness a communal affair. Participants rave about the friendships formed over shared cooking experiences and playful games, emphasizing that these moments of laughter and teamwork enrich their lives beyond exercise.

Lately, weekends in Hyderabad have taken on a new vibe. People are lacing up their shoes not just to run, but to hang out after — think pancakes after a jog, matcha over morning chats, or board games with a side of coffee. These “run plus” sessions — like Run and Brew or Run and Cook — are turning fitness into something social, fun, and seriously good for the soul.

‘It wakes up your body and makes your mind happy’

These sessions offer simple but meaningful rewards — like coffee after a run. Aryan Gill, a video editor who’s not “a typical runner or a coffee snob,” says, “There’s something special about bonding with strangers over playlists and brewing methods in the conversations that follow each session. It’s a ritual that wakes up your body and lifts your mood.”

‘It’s not just about the miles or the meals, it’s about the magic’

For many, cooking together after a run becomes a moment to unwind and connect. Satyapriya Khanna, a business manager, says, “It’s a soulful blend of energy and togetherness. Starting your day with a run that challenges your body, and ending it with food that nourishes your spirit,” she says. “It’s not just about the miles or the meals, it’s about the magic when sweat meets spice and strangers turn into a community. Your heart races in the morning, and by noon, it’s full of warmth, laughter, and the kind of joyful calories no one’s counting.”

‘It’s not just networking, it’s emotional bond creation’

Beyond food and drink, the group often lingers to casual socialising — games, music, and conversations that move far from the running track. “It’s not just about stretching legs, but also minds. From playing Jenga with complete strangers to debating street food versus fine dining, it made me feel like home,” shares Natasha Pandey, an entrepreneur. Even those hesitant at first find themselves surprised. “People drop their guard during Antakshari sessions, and unplanned discussions about folk dances. It’s joyfully chaotic, deeply connecting, and somehow always leaves you lighter than when you came,” says Sejal Khanna, a software developer.

‘That post-run matcha is my new finish line’

Tarun Vella, a software engineer shares how a post-run tea-making ritual reshaped his mornings. “I used to run solo, earphones in, world out. But here, after the run, we gather not to rush off, but to slow down,” he says, adding, “One experience stood out — a fellow runner showed me her grandma’s way of preparing matcha with a pinch of cinnamon. That tiny twist turned into a group tradition the next week.” For him, it’s become a space of “stories in sips” where “the community runs together and rests together.”
Our mission is to bring people together through morning runs — because it’s not just about fitness, but about starting each day with real connection and community
– Siddharth Duddu, co-organiser of the club
These runs are proving that fitness can be fun, food can be truly communal, and that the best connections are often made naturally when you least expect them
– Ruchira Bhattacharya, an engineer

– Sarmistha Ganguli