Maybe we’re sentimental…or a tad bit lonely. Whatever the reason, we love learning about best running friends. Inspired partly by our March 31 podcast episode about finding a running partner or posse, we asked folks on our Facebook page to sing the praises of their running companion(s).

We rounded up a collection of responses. Head here to see all the odes to BRFs—and listen up for a podcast episode later this month with three gals who wrote on our wall about who they run with and the myriad benefits of those running companions.

“My best running friend is Anshan Eckard, who I met through St. Paul Moms on the Run. Our schedules finally aligned during the pandemic, and she was a constant source of calm, motivation, and stability during a chaotic time, even making it possible for us to hit our record cold run in MN (wind chill -23!)! We’re on hiatus since I just had a baby, but I’m looking forward to resuming our early AM runs soon!” —Emma Jorstad

Call and response, Facebook style:

“Emma doesn’t like me to say this (too much pressure) but a factor in my family deciding to buy a new house in our same neighborhood is because we have such a great thing going. Life can’t always align, but it did in this case, and I’m so grateful for her ability to talk me off multiple ledges, her consistency (even when pregnant!), and her ‘you got this’ attitude. I’m so grateful for her and our BRF relationship.”
—Anshan Eckard

Emma and Anshan starting their day together.

“Michelle and Maureen are always up for a running adventure! [Plus Sandy’s dog, Lily.] They are encouraging and faithful. We meet once a week (rain, shine, or bitter cold), and each run is filled with great conversation about everything from current events to our victories, and our struggles. We check in with each other and pray for one another. They are my sole sisters.” —Sandy Webb Branch

Sandy and her running friends, with a little help from her best running dog.

“My running buddy is unique in that we don’t run together: We send screenshots of our runs. We hold each other up and support each other through the miles logged. We challenge each other to do and be our best. Without her, I don’t think I’d be where I am now in my journey!” —Sara Dubsky

“I just joined a run group after 30+ years of running solo. Highlights include new friends, new running routes, and long runs that speed by because I have people who push my pace and are fun to talk to. As an introvert, I will always default to running solo, but my run group has been an awesome addition to my running life.” —Heidi Gerdes Schuchman

“My running buddy and I have a crazy goal to run a race in every state. We are 26 states down and ready for more. We keep each other motivated and work to keep each other focused on the positive. However, as you can see from this picture, we cannot jump!” —Lisa Cifuni Herbert

Jump for joy if you have a best running friend, even if you can’t get very high off the ground.

“My BRF is my husband. We have run together for years, and it has been so good for our marriage. We get up early and run while the kids are asleep. It’s the only time we can have an uninterrupted conversation. Right now, he is living in another state as we transition to new jobs. We go out and run at the same time and do our morning chat by phone. He’s the best way to start my day.” —Cynthia Domenghini

Cynthia and her husband.

“My BRF, Doreen, started running together when she and her husband decided to do the 2000 Honolulu Marathon, which got me interested in running longer distances. We’ve run together nearly every Saturday since, and even after 23 years, we still find stuff to chat about! And we always get a coffee after the run.” —Patricia Denn