Where Every Pace is Welcome: JXN Run Club

From four runners to hundreds, Timothy Orey transformed Sunday mornings in Jackson.

More than exercise, JXN Run Club is family, community, and mental health all in one—a safe space where everyone is welcome.

JXN Run Club is celebrating five years in Jackson
Credit: Erica Johnson

Put one foot in front of the other. Whether it's a swift or slow pace, it doesn't matter. As long as you're moving, progress is being made.

From Atlanta Streets to Jackson Trails: The Beginning

Tim Orey found it to be grounding at a time when he needed more stress relief than usual. While living in Atlanta in 2014, he was invited by several of his fellow Jacksonian colleagues to run with a group called Movers and Pacers on a Sunday morning.

"I started to run for therapeutic reasons," said Orey, a Southside Jackson native. "There were individuals there that looked like me. I felt seen. We are inclusive to everyone, but primarily it was for us. It was a safe space. No matter if you were a doctor or a lawyer, or worked at a call center, we all met up on Sundays, and it was family. Health and wellness were at the forefront, but community was truly the theme."

Building a Running Community in Jackson

When Orey moved back to Jackson in late 2018, he wanted to pool that same energy. He duplicated the concept and founded The JXN Run Club, which initially started downtown to connect with the city. With just a few friends, he ran on Sundays, starting at the Mississippi Arts Museum for about a year.

"I really still just wanted to be able to connect, but still be free mentally," said Orey, a Professional Realtor. "On our first run, it was four of us. The reason for the art museum was because I wanted the vibration of running in the city. It was a narrative change. We can run the streets of Jackson. Jackson is safe. We got up to like 10 or 12 people."

Orey
Credit: Erica Johnson

The Move to The District at Eastover

Once the pandemic hit, there was less traffic downtown, seemingly losing some of its community vibe, like most of the world. The District at Eastover hadn't been open for long at the time. Orey decided to switch up the group's path and move the foot traffic to run the scenic route along the Museum Trail. Now celebrating five years of bringing Jackson together through running, they have about 100-200 runners, with 75-100 runners during the cooler months, which is about the same size as his former Atlanta club.

Credit: Erica Johnson

What to Expect at Sunday Morning Runs

The JXN Run Club meets at The District at 9 a.m. each Sunday, where they stretch and line up to run, walk, or jog. Each participant can opt to trek a mile or two, with encouragement for all first-timers to start with the one-mile distance to gauge their endurance. There is no obligation or time limit. People are free to come and go as they please for a laid-back and stress-free experience that allows for flexibility to attend church.

More Than Just Running: Community Events and Partnerships

Some Sundays feature prayer and meditation, a DJ, sponsorships, and partnerships, at which times the roster can expand to include up to 300 participants. Sponsorships and collaborations have included Sole Cafe, Urban Fox Coffee, Sal and Mookies Sippsee Tea, Dr. Juice Cleanse, Mamma Nature, and currently Propel.

"We have a lot of encouragement on the way," said Shaquita Chapman, Director of Events and Strategy for JXN Run Club. "As we go, and we're seeing people, we're telling them, 'Good job.' 'You're doing great.' 'You got this!' A lot of people linger after because they've found community here."

Credit: Erica Johnson
Crystal McDowell

Author

Crystal McDowell

Crystal McDowell is the CEO of Marketing Maven Management, a marketing and communications firm created to ensure accurate and positive storytelling that includes people of color. She has a Mass Communication degree from Jackson State University and an MBA from Belhaven University. She has 18+ years of journalism, PR, and marketing skills, which she obtained working across the country. Her hobbies are traveling and storytelling.