In a city known for its laid-back vibe and nightlife culture, a different kind of social scene is quietly gaining momentum, every Sunday morning in Asunción. At Parque de la Salud, a 19-hectare green space located in the heart of the urban area of Paraguay’s capital, a growing group of locals and foreigners gather. Not to party, but to move. Asunción’s Run Club, formed in the public area that is considered one of Asunción’s green lungs, is not about speed or competition. It is about connection.
More than just running
For organisers Maarten Kamerling and Rob Bone, both working in marketing, the running club was born out of a simple idea: people need healthier ways to connect. “I have been a boxing coach, especially for kids”, 33-year-old Maarten from the Netherlands says. “So building community through movement came naturally.”
Inspired by similar projects in Medellín, Colombia, and the Dutch captial Amsterdam, the idea was sparked locally by a conversation with Rob, his friend from the United States. “We should organise something to get people connected, we figured.” That was all the motivation needed.
In a city where most socialising happens at night, the Asunción’s Run Club initiative fills an important gap. “Without needing to go to a bar. We offer something grounded, positive, and real.”
Fun, energising, and playful
What makes this running club stand out is not just speed; since your pace is entirely up to you. It is the energy. The sessions start with a playful warm-ups: icebreakers, connection games, and movement exercises that get people laughing and relaxed. “We want people to get out of their heads, and into their bodies.”
Then, all runners move at their own rhythm. Some walk, others jog, or run. The group often splits into loose clusters based on speed, but the vibe stays communal. “Sometimes we do sprints or timed loops, sometimes we do not. We are experimenting and learning as we go.”
Real people, real results
Of course, organising a grassroots movement comes with challenges, like coordinating logistics and spreading the word. “I forgot how much time it takes”, Maarten admits. “But when someone comes up and says they felt amazing all day after the run, and that their Sunday feels different because they were so energised, it is all worth it.”
And if you’re still unsure whether this is for you? “Just come once”, the Dutchman says with a smile. “You do not have to be a runner. Some people walk, some come for the games or the vibe. What matters is showing up.”
Joining Asunción’s Run Club
Looking for a different kind of Sunday and a way to meet people? To move your body, and start your week full of energy and purpose? Then this might be exactly what you need.
Where: Parque de la Salud, Santo Domingo area, close to IPS Hospital in Asunción.
When: Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Who: Everyone is welcome: walkers, joggers, runners, both local and foreign.
Cost: Free.
Lace up your shoes and show up. See what it is all about. Because this is not just a run: it is a community in motion.
Follow Asunción’s Run Club on Instagram, and read more about how athletics in Paraguay are thriving. Witness this progress with the historic inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 event in Encarnación, showcasing the nation’s growing passion for endurance sports.
