Utrecht Running Project: The Crew That Runs, Parties, and Repeats

The philosophy of URP is based on three main principles. **FREE**: Their trainings are always free. They believe running crews are about people and good vibes, not money. **FUN**: They are not a competitive club where you can win the Social Run. They believe fun is what keeps people coming back, so they encourage everyone to come as they are and connect with others. **FOR ALL**: Everyone is welcome to join their community. However, to ensure a great experience for everyone, they ask that participants can run at least 7 km at a 6:00 min/km pace.

The culture of Utrecht Running Project revolves around their consistent run schedule and numerous ways to connect. Their signature events include the **Social Run every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.** and the **Coffee Run on biweekly Sundays at 9:30 a.m.**, both starting at the iconic **Neude square**. Beyond the runs, the group has built a strong digital and social community. They host their own podcast, "What The Crew!", about running and more, and organize special members-only events like a Beer Mile and a Christmas Run.

Joining the URP community is a simple, step-by-step process. While their runs are open to everyone who meets the pace requirement, they have a clear path for those who want to become a regular part of the family. The first step is to follow them on Instagram and attend an event. From there, you can join their WhatsApp Community to connect and get updates. Don't hesitate—they're all about good vibes and fun, and they promise you won't be disappointed!

### The Utrecht Running Scene

URP is a central part of Utrecht's lively and expanding running scene. The city also hosts other running groups and traditional athletics clubs that, together, form a complete and encouraging environment for athletes of all levels. This network makes Utrecht a great city for community running.

The city of Utrecht is the fourth-largest in the Netherlands and a lively university town with a youthful and energetic vibe. It is renowned for its unique and beautiful canal system, featuring wharves and cellars that line the water at a lower level than the street, creating a scenic, two-tiered urban landscape. From my current location in Cape Town, the idea of this charming European city is captivating. The historic city center and numerous parks offer an excellent playground for runners. The top racing event in the city is the **Utrecht Science Park Marathon**.