WHY THE F**K DO WE WAKE UP AT 7AM TO RUN-N-RAVE
What kind of person wakes up in the dark in the middle of winter to travel across the city for a RUN-N-RAVE? In a world where everyone is digitally connected but nobody actually feels connected, we explore why a crazy group of Berliners wakes up at the crack of dawn to run, scream, and dance together before starting their day.
Human beings do some crazy stuff!
They climb mountains where there’s barely any oxygen.
They jump from cliffs where they can barely even see the bottom.
And they run long distances… even though nobody’s chasing them!
But some of the CRAZIEST humans lace up their shoes at the crack of dawn, and travel across Berlin to Görlitzer Park, just to run, sweat, scream, and dance before most of the city has even put on a pot of coffee.
This is RUN-N-RAVE, Berlin’s best 7am party. Here, you’ll find crazy people combining movement, music, and pure old fashioned joy.
On paper, it sounds a little ridiculous. But to the people who show up each week, it’s something special.
So we asked some of our regulars what is perhaps life’s most intriguing question - why the f**k do you do what you do???
Morgan
“Until I started coming to RUN-N-RAVE running had mostly been a solo activity for me.
When I made a big move, halfway across the world to Berlin this year, loosely knowing one or two people, I came across RUN-N-RAVE and thought it could be a cool way to meet new people in this big city that shared my love of running and music.
What I didn’t realise is just how welcoming the group would be and how strong the RUN-N-RAVE community is. Everyone makes an effort to connect and everyone genuinely wants to get to know and support each other, which can be hard to find in a big city. Not to mention the energy each captain brings to the team is unlike any other run club (or any group) I’ve experienced.
The mornings are getting colder, but RUN-N-RAVE brings the warmth to keep getting me out of bed at 7am to wake Berlin up!”
Allan
“I live all the way in Steglitz basically the other side of Berlin. But I still wake up at 5:45am to run with this group of awesome people.
Theres a lot of excellent running groups in Berlin. But none like this. I don’t know another group where people start singing spontaneously when they are together. I haven’t heard of a group where people run and does karaoke at the same time. Or a group where they greet every person they pass. Where people finishes with a dance party and limbo.
It's worth it to wake up early to zoom through city with Romi, Joy, Ben, Kasi, Emma and lot of other lovely runners. I cannot say that Run-and-Rave is the best running group in world because it's not a competition but I can definitely say it's my favorite. Come run with us!”
Arnaldo
“Honestly, it’s not the running 😅 — it’s the people.
After working from home for four years, I realized my weekdays had almost no face-to-face interaction. By Friday, I was craving real human connection.
Sure, running is great, but I could do that anywhere. What I can’t find anywhere else is the laughter, the hugs, the energy.
That’s what gets me out of bed at 7 f*cking am!”
The Real Reason We Show Up
Some folks show up because for them RUN-N-RAVE is a workout.
For others, it’s a chance to let others know how you’re doing, and hear some hustle and bustle in the morning.
For most of us, it’s community.
In a world where everyone is connected but nobody feels connected, it’s a blessing to find a space that makes you WANT to show up.
At RUN-N-RAVE we wake the f**k up to remember that mornings can be magical, movement can be fun, and community can change your life.
We can’t even count the number of people who have told us that being part of this community has totally changed Berlin for them. Even when it’s dark, cold, rainy, it’s a reminder that you’re never in the wrong place with the right people.
Words Ben Olayinka / Morgan Townsend / Allan Soares / Arnaldo Drovandi
Pictures Aaron Martins
