About the Cult
Those Who Forged The Path
Letter from the Founders of the Cult
We started the Cult of Running originally as a tongue-in-cheek response to those influencers, corporations, and keyboard warriors who grift on those getting into running. Whether it's training programs, tracking software, supplements, or overpriced polyester, they're just trying to make a buck on unproven pseudoscience.
The irony of The Cult of Running is that we never want to become a mindless cult. We ask our congregation to question everything, accept nothing at face value, INCLUDING FROM US. In fact, whenever someone proves us wrong we celebrate it.
We work equally hard to disabuse runners of what we call the Church of Suffering. Those who make the act of running, or any exercise for that matter, some macho, roid-rage-fueled activity. They preach if you aren't injuring yourself, if you aren't vomiting, if you aren't bleeding, you aren't pushing hard enough.
As we spoke to more elite runners and experts, we found the truth that was so simple it seemed fake. The answer was there is no "right" way to run. Those who say so are trying to make money off you. Your body knows what you need. This is not based on faith. It's proven by science, which is why Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is still, after countless studies, more accurate than the billions spent trying to come up with some physiological mechanism like VO2 max or heart rate zones.
From all this, we created our Doctrine, which contains laws, rules, sins, pledges, and more to help ground and center us in our pursuit to welcome all new and old runners looking for the truths of running.
To everyone reading this: whether you run 1 mile or 100 miles, whether you can only run for a minute or an entire race, whether you're on a treadmill or trail
YOU ARE A RUNNER.
Welcome to The Cult. The run awaits.
Oscar Godson
ArchpacerCo-Founder of the Cult, Archpacer of The Ministry, Scribe of the Sacred Laws, First to Descend for the Mother Relay, Local Legend of Forgotten Tracks, He Who Consumes No Creature, Son of God for it is written in name
Oliver Godson
ArchstriderCo-Founder of the Cult, Archstrider of The Ministry, Bearer of the Heaviest Legs for the Mother Relay, The Phantom Who Speaks for the Congregation, Soon to be Crowned Ultimate Racer, Son of God for it is written in name
The Mission
To unite devoted runners under a shared philosophy. The act of running is sacred. Wisdom is freely shared. The community grows stronger with every mile. We exist to transform the solitary pursuit of running into a collective practice, providing knowledge, guidance, and fellowship for those who hear the call of the road.
The Vision
To build the definitive running collective. A congregation that spans the globe, guiding runners from their first steps to infinite miles. We envision a world where every runner, regardless of pace or experience, finds belonging in the Cult; where running wisdom flows freely between generations; and where the sacred act of putting one foot in front of the other is honored as the spiritual practice it truly is.
Our Covenant on Compensation
We will never accept money to review any product. We will never participate in affiliate programs. We will never take sponsorships that compromise our words.
We will happily accept products for review, and we will give our honest opinion to the congregation, but we will not profit from it.
Your trust is the purpose of all this. Without it, we are just another grift with better branding.
Join the Congregation
Become part of the Cult. Receive transmissions on running wisdom, sacred texts, and the Way of the Run.
By joining, you pledge yourself to the Way of the Run.