Ep 191 “So Here’s the Thing…” The Pelkey Running Club Story
Have you spotted the hats and shirts with “Pelkey Running Club” at recent runDisney events? What began as a one-time costume joke has blossomed into a global running phenomenon, and we’re bringing you the full story straight from the source.
The episode kicks off with a intro from Kyle from the Indy Mini and Finn at Springtime Surprise.. If you’d like to introduce an upcoming episode, please reach out to us on our social media. You can also email us, or leave us a message on our hot-line (727-266-2344).
Running with your name on it: How an unlikely friendship created a community
You have likely noticed them if you’ve attended a runDisney event in the last year or so. These are runners sporting hats and shirts emblazoned with “Pelkey Running Club.” It began as a spontaneous joke. Now it has transformed into a global running community with members across all seven continents. It brings together runners of all abilities under a banner of inclusivity and good humor.
The origins of this unique club trace back to Grant. He designed a simple logo. He had a few hats embroidered as a one-time costume for the runDisney Princess Weekend 10K in 2023. The name honored John Pelkey, the beloved runDisney race announcer known for his wit and ironic stance against running. For years, Pelkey held his position at the microphone. He humorously questioned why anyone would voluntarily wake up at 3 AM to run through a theme park.
What makes this story particularly compelling is how perfectly it embodies the spirit of the runDisney community. When Grant presented John with a custom-embroidered hat before the race, neither could have predicted what would follow. Grant shared photos on social media. He was immediately bombarded with messages from runners. They wanted to know how they could get their own gear. What was intended as a one-time joke suddenly had demand.
As explained by John and Grant, the club has grown organically without aggressive marketing or planning. The spontaneity of its creation reflects how the club continues to develop. There is no formal membership process. There are no dues. Just a community of runners enjoys being part of something inclusive and supportive. The club now boasts nearly 1,500 Instagram followers. It organizes meetups at runDisney events. It is planning its first Pelkey Running Club Weekend centered around the St. Jude Memphis Marathon in December 2023.
Perhaps what distinguishes the Pelkey Running Club most is its charitable mission. Grant and John agreed early on that any proceeds from merchandise sales would support various charities. They’ve donated to organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, World Central Kitchen, and animal rescue groups. The club operates with zero profit for its founders, focusing instead on building community and giving back.
John Pelkey has embraced his unlikely role as the club’s namesake. He is training for his first half marathon at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon. With characteristic self-deprecation, he jokes that he’ll finish “sometime within the first five minutes” but insists he’ll complete the race. His journey from running skeptic to half marathoner reflects the club’s welcoming spirit—everyone belongs, regardless of pace or experience.
The Race Report Sponsored by Stoked Metabolic Coaching
In the Race Report Spotlight, we hear from Ravi. He completed the Purple Pride 5k on Saturday, May 17, in Orlando, Florida. This event was sponsored by the 2 soccer teams in Orlando Florida the Orlando City and Orlando Pride. Ravi has been pretty active lately. He tells us about this race and a few others he has done over the past few weeks.
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