Running Rebels: The Crew That Claimed Monday Nights in Milan
The story of the Running Rebels begins with a chance encounter on a Friday night in October 2024. A major running event took place in Milan, and afterward, five people found themselves talking and instantly connecting. They didn't know each other, but they all loved running and happened to be in the same beautiful place: the Navigli. After a few group runs, they realized they really liked each other and, just for fun, decided to create an Instagram profile. They saw a huge opportunity: many people run along the Navigli every day, but there were no run clubs there, and no run clubs in all of Milan that met on a Monday. It was a vast blue ocean, and they jumped right in.
The philosophy of the Running Rebels focuses on independence and community. Even though they get support from brands like Saucony for events and gear, they stay fiercely independent. The founders, a core team of five captains, started the crew to share their passion and build a new community from scratch. Their mission is to run together, for change, and for each other. What started with five people has grown quickly, and today, it’s very rare to run along the Navigli without seeing someone wearing the iconic Running Rebels T-shirt—which, by the way, lights up in the dark.
The culture of the Running Rebels has grown well beyond their weekly run. The group is now an important part of the Milan running scene, organizing their own races and even trips abroad to run half marathons as a team. However, their main gathering spot remains the NAVIGLIO GRANDE RUN every Monday at 7:30 p.m. This event is the core of their community, featuring a structured session with three different pace groups and a rotating workout that can be an easy run, fartlek, progression, or tempo run.
The Running Rebels enthusiastically invite any runner in Milan to join their rapidly expanding community. Their Monday night run welcomes everyone comfortable with the available paces. Feel free to connect with them on Instagram for the latest updates and to get involved in the rebellion.
### The Milan Running Scene
Running Rebels have successfully secured Monday nights in Milan and brought a fresh, vibrant energy to the Navigli district, an area that was surprisingly lacking in running crews. They are now an essential part of the city's lively running scene, which includes pioneering groups like the legendary Red Snakes Milano, the large and organized Urban Runners, and the energetic, women-focused Flying Girls Milano.
The city of Milan is a fast-paced hub of fashion and finance in Italy, and its Navigli district stands out as one of its most beautiful and lively areas. The historic canals, partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci, are lined with restaurants, bars, and art galleries, creating a stunning and atmospheric setting for a night run. The city's top racing events, the Milano Marathon and the Stramilano Half Marathon, are main goals for thousands of dedicated runners.