How Founders Running Club Moves Fast And Breaks The Mold

My journey into Austin’s wide world of running clubs began in a parking lot a half mile away from the destination—not surprising if you’ve known me for any amount of time. I’m the kind of person who types a location into Google Maps and then completely bypasses it when I need it most.

Oops, wrong turn!

The minor catastrophe ended after a quick jog on the Lady Bird Lake trail. I eventually made it to Founders Running Club, a gathering of “founders, investors, operators and creators.” And I knew it to be the group because I found them huddled around in a circle amid quasi-explanations describing “go-to-market strategies,” “AI consulting,” and questions about Anthropic’s large-language model Claude. “I could use help with Claude,” one founder said. 

On the road to understanding run clubs in Austin, here’s why I made this group the first stop on the tour: What better embodies this city and its running culture than Founders Run Club, a community of like-minded people looking to score the next big idea while using fitness as a foundation. 

When Founders Running Club Began

The Austin chapter of Founders Running Club began in late 2024 as an extension of the group’s global community, which has run clubs in more than 65 cities, including London, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Katya Marchenko was the entry point for this Central Texas group. Russian by birth, the 33-year-old arrived in Austin two years ago and had a friend who was helping operate a Founders Running Club group in London. Marchenko—a world traveler who has lived in Barcelona, Berlin, Miami, Lisbon, London and other locations across the world—was starting her own agency working with early phase startups. 

At first, Marchenko wasn’t really in a place to take on new responsibility. She had a ton on her plate and barely knew where Congress Avenue was, let alone every nook and cranny on the Lady Bird Lake trail. 

Then, the more she thought about it, the idea made sense. “I thought, ‘You know what? Why not?’” she said. “I was literally here for a month and I knew two people: my partner and my ex. I didn’t know anyone else, so I thought it was nice to meet people.” 

Fortunately for Marchenko, it was a great moment to start a run club. These things were sprouting up like bluebonnets in the Texas springtime. It didn’t take long for Founders Run Club to find its niche. 

Marchenko found two other women—Annette Armenta and Carmen Garza—who became co-founders of the Austin chapter and they began hashing out a run every Saturday on the trail. First came an Instagram account in March 2025, then came the early goings of the WhatsApp group.

That was around the time Kent Lybrook joined. While running was outside his comfort zone at first, the group’s combined track record and institutional knowledge was can’t-miss value.

“Starting a project or company is already kind of an odd thing,” he said. “I’m in the corporate world, and sometimes I don’t want to talk about (my project) outside of work—even my best friends can’t really relate. So this is the only place where you feel validated that you’re doing something.” 

Ivan Benavides, the founder of AI consultancy firm Praixis Labs, agreed with that notion, too. 

“I just like that there’s smart people who come here,” he said. “It’s good to chat about all the different stuff.” 

Kent Lybrook has been a member of Founders Running Club almost since the beginning. He’s the founder of an online car auction brokerage. Photo Credit: Cory Mull/Austin Fit Magazine.

A Quick 5K Along The Trail

After introductions, Marchenko quickly leads the group through stretches, then dispatches a quick explanation of the route. On any given Saturday, there are three options: two-miles, 3.1 miles (5K) and 6.2 miles (10K).

“Who’s running the 10K?” Marchenko asks. 

“No one? Seriously?”

“Are you doing it?” asks Garza. 

“Well, no,” Marchenko replies. 

And we were off! 

Running west on the trail, I slot into a casual jog with Lybrook. 

A former skateboarder from New Mexico who spends his days as a software engineer, it didn’t take long for Founders Running Club to become the community he was searching for. While some have used the group as a networking opportunity to find clients and secure jobs, others like Lybrook have utilized the club to build relationships and strengthen ties elsewhere. Sure, he’s building an online car auction brokerage for buyers and sellers. However …“I’m not here to sell to people,” he said. “I’m just here to support other people. Like, I think that’s the whole point of communities. I know I’m useful for things like branding and marketing and merchandising and web development. So I’m  happy to help people with that.” 

We cross Congress Avenue, head down the concrete stairs, and then head east toward Cidercade.

After zigging up another flight of stairs, we turn back toward I-35, cross the bridge again and then make our way back to where we started. Next up is a post-run decamp at Afuga Coffee, where lattes, matchas and croissants are waiting. 

The Heart of Founders Running Club

I chat with Marchenko over coffee. This being a group of highly-motivated people, I was curious: what’s the balance between running and business? In the immortal words of Alec Baldwin’s ‘Blake’ in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” are people following the ABCs (“always be closing”)? 

The answer is a little bit of both. 

Yes, people have closed clients here at Founders Run Club. One running coach has worked with roughly 10 members from the group (This Saturday, in fact, he analyzed my gait – good news, I’ve got good mechanics!). 

Others have co-founded startups and secured new jobs. 

That’s the nature of a group built for “founders, investors, operators and creators.” As Mark Zuckerberg once famously said, “move fast and break things.” But there’s obviously much more than just business here. 

As it stands, the WhatsApp chat has over 750 members. On any given day, it’s buzzing with updates and pictures of people doing amazing things. 

On Sunday, one member posted their successful ascent of Mt. Fuji, the 12,400-foot peak in Japan. In preceding weeks, others have set up World Cup watch parties and celebrated the accomplishments of others. “We’ve had people date from here, people have gotten jobs through the run club, people have co-founded groups,” Marchenko said. “So I feel like it’s very rewarding coming here.” 

Benavides is on board with that thought, too. What started as a networking opportunity morphed into long-lasting friendships beyond those Saturday morning runs. While there’s a time and place to break down AI innovation and business growth, sometimes you just leave that for another day. 

In September, he’s competing in a half Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico with another run club member. 

“Yeah, so networking, community, friendship, it’s a good way to start your Saturday morning,” he said. 

Next time, at least I’ll know where to start.

Founders Run Club took a group photo after its July 11th run at Lady Bird Lake.