For first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students at The George Washington University (GW), the transition into graduate school brings new academic challenges, responsibilities, and expectations. Among the hours of lectures and weekends filled with studying, members of the Class of 2028 recognized the importance of creating intentional opportunities to connect outside of the classroom. In the fall of 2025, that idea became the foundation for the GW DPT Run Club.
The Run Club began with a simple goal: bring classmates together through a shared interest in movement and create a space for connections beyond the academic environment.
“I decided it was a great idea to kickstart a Run Club for the main purpose of creating an opportunity for classmates to get together and bond outside of the classroom through something we all shared interest in,” Greg Carrillo (DPT ‘28) explained. “The idea started when the stress of our first semester started to accumulate and I identified that there were two things that always helped me push through the chaos: my classmates and exercise. So I thought, why not just put the two together in hopes others could benefit from it as well?”
What started as a message in the class group chat quickly grew into a consistent gathering for students after school. Only a handful of classmates joined the first runs, but as more students became involved, the group continued to expand. Students began meeting regularly to run, walk, and decompress after long days in the program.
From the beginning, the Run Club emphasized that participation was not dependent on running experience, pace, or distance. The goal was not competition, but rather creating an inclusive environment where everyone had a place to participate.
“Every time I bring up the Run Club with someone who is hesitant to join, it’s usually met with similar answers like, ‘I don’t run fast’ or ‘I don’t run at all,’” Daniel Millan (DPT ‘28) shared. “I explain that we usually have two groups. One group runs at a faster pace and usually goes a longer distance, and another group runs at a slower pace for a shorter distance. We are structured this way so that all levels have a group to be with and won’t be left alone during these runs.”
For Carrillo, that accessibility is one of the most important aspects of the club.
“I would tell anyone interested that I, as well as everyone else who participates in the Run Club, preaches the common saying that ‘you don’t have to be a runner to run,’” he clarified. “Part of the reason this was started was because of how accessible running is. You just need to lace ‘em up and get moving.”
The emphasis on inclusion has allowed students with different athletic backgrounds to participate. While some members entered PT school with running experience, others have developed a more consistent relationship with exercise through the club.
“I was a casual runner before PT school,” Julia Causbie (DPT ‘28) said. “But I have become more consistent since being in school.”
Millan similarly returned to running after stepping away from the sport for several years. Through the encouragement of his classmates, running became something he looked forward to each week.
Beyond the physical benefits, students describe the Run Club as an important outlet from the stress of PT school. The weekly runs provide a structured opportunity to prioritize movement, spend time outdoors, and reconnect with classmates in a setting separate from academics.
“The Run Club is an amazing outlet to de-stress,” Millan stated. “It gives us a structured time in our day or week to dedicate time to exercise, which as we all know is critical in keeping us feeling like human beings, especially when PT school can be tough at times and it can be easy to get lost.”
Causbie also highlighted the social impact of the club. “It gives me something to take my mind off school and get to know my classmates outside of the classroom,” she said. “Run Club has positively impacted my physical and mental well-being by making exercise fun and something social.”
The relationships built through running have become one of the club’s greatest strengths. Students describe forming friendships they may not have developed otherwise, creating stronger connections throughout their cohort.
“I was already pretty close with everyone in the cohort and got along well with everyone prior to this club starting,” Millan said. “But my relationships with people definitely strengthened on these runs,” Millan shared.
For Carrillo, the Run Club has introduced him to classmates he may not have otherwise connected with. I now often find myself conversing with members about training and upcoming races,” Carrillo said. “Seeing their commitment and consistent effort has been inspiring.”
He also reflected that although members are in different stages of life, running and PT school provided a shared foundation for connection. “I’m always picking others' brains about training, nutrition, and recovery to incorporate into my own regimen,” Carrillo shares excitedly. “Those conversations often just turn into a discussion about life in general.”
The encouragement students provide each other has also helped many members achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. One of Millan’s most memorable experiences occurred during one of the club’s first runs. While getting back into running, he reached a point where he wanted to stop.
“I was getting really tired around 1.5 miles,” Millan recalled. “I wanted to stop and quit, but a classmate pushed me to keep going and we eventually made it to the 5K point. I realized then that this was such a special group of people and I really wanted to do better because I always had it in me, I just needed someone to bring it out.”
That same encouragement has continued through shared goals and accomplishments. Many members of the cohort trained together for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in March, using the Run Club as a source of accountability and motivation.
For Millan, the experience represented a milestone he never expected to achieve. “I ran a half marathon,” he said. “I never would have thought in my life that I would have done something like that, and it’s all thanks to the GW DPT Run Club.”
Although running serves as the foundation of the club, students agree that the true purpose extends beyond miles logged. The Run Club has become a space for encouragement, accountability, and support during a demanding stage of their education.
Looking ahead, students hope the Run Club continues beyond the Class of 2028 and becomes a lasting tradition within the GW DPT community.
“I hope the GW DPT Run Club continues to run after we graduate because it is such an amazing way to connect with other people who enjoy running and to spend time with them outside of class,” Millan said.
Carrillo hopes the club can continue expanding and connecting with the broader community. “In the future, it would be awesome to maybe open the club up a little bit and get members from surrounding communities involved too,” he shared. “The ‘Walk with a Future Doc’ event that GW PT is a part of is awesome, so maybe in the future there can be a ‘Trot with a Future Doc!’”
