Afraa Kori
While the method might be unorthodox, an inclusive run club is changing the culture of running and improving men’s health.
Nas Run participants meet on Thursday and Saturdays at 8am for a 5km run at Victoria University Aquatic and Fitness Centre in Footscray.
Wyndham Vale local and director of Nas Run, Kuti Kalo, said he’s been running with friends for a while, but late last month they decided to involve the wider community.
“I noticed a couple of us guys were already training separately in different places and I asked ’why don’t we make this open for a lot of guys?’ I think it’s something that they could really benefit from. So we came together to invite the community, put a name to it and get guys around that.”
Mr Kalo highlighted the need for male-based programs and community-led running clubs.
“When it comes to mental health, we don’t really have an outlet that invites guys to a place where they can not just get physically fit but a place they can talk, offload whatever they feel like and they can just outsource the stresses of life. Also a place they can be a part of the community which reduces social isolation, depression, anxiety and stress. So Nas Run is a place they can come and they might not talk about their feelings straight away, but it’s a place they can at least feel safe to kind of talk about what’s going on in their lives.
“Another thing is that our youths have so much energy and there’s not enough programs to cater to or channel that energy. Our aim is to also create a healthy outlet where they can put all that energy into working out.
“I think representation matters especially when it comes to programs. When you don’t see someone that looks like you, you’re more reluctant. So I really wanted to show that we’re not Bob and Harry from another state, we are actually guys active in the community. For example the guys running the program, the coaches look like us. I think that’s what separates us from other men’s programs, we are involved in the community, especially the African Sudanese community as a whole in Melbourne.”
Mr Kalo said his overall aim is to impact participants’ decision making especially when it comes to alcohol and drugs.
“These things are contributing factors to a decline in health and wellness in our community. I was telling one of the guys that when you come to the program, I can guarantee that you will think twice about what kind of food you have, how much alcohol you’re going to have and whether you want to take those drugs. When you train you’re a lot more careful about what you put in your body. I’m hoping as we see more people come to our programs regularly that this will impact them in making healthy choices.”
Meanwhile Nas Run is receiving positive support from the wider community, including female participants.
“So far we’ve seen guys and girls attend our program, which have been predominantly of African descent. We’re not exclusive to a particular race, skin color or men. It’s about whoever wants to be part of our program, but our target audience will always be men, especially men in our communities.”
Footscray photographer and loyal club member Duoth Rambang said Nas Run is “very positive“ and helps him with consistency and “has an amazing community and people behind it“.
“The word nas means people [in Arabic] or in Nuer the word ‘Naath’. Also with this new fitness journey I’m on, running was a major factor which helped me stay consistent and beat the mental barriers of procrastination and laziness. So once you combine something that’s part of my identity which is the Nuer culture and also something that helps me with my personal development and growth, it’s the ultimate combination. So yes, it does live up to its name.“
Mr Kuti encouraged people of any fitness to give running a go.
“People think they have to be in top shape to join our club when you don’t. A run club is like a hospital– you don’t go to the hospital if you’re fit or feeling great. You go to the hospital when you need help regardless of what your illness or symptoms are like. So we see ourselves as a hospital in our community, helping people regain control of their fitness, health and wellness as a whole,“ he said.
