At Western University, students in professional programs like medicine, dentistry, law, physiotherapy, and nursing are no strangers to long study hours, packed clinic schedules, and the constant balancing act of academics and well-being. That’s why we started Road Runners London—a weekly run club designed to bring students and community members together around movement, wellness, and connection.
The idea first sparked in a conversation between myself and my classmate, Soulene Sabir. We came to a shared realization: it was getting harder and harder to maintain physical activity amid the rigor of our studies. At the same time, despite a major interest in connecting across programs—dental students with med students, law students with nursing students, and so on—there simply wasn’t a consistent space to make that happen. Between clinics, lectures, and labs, time is scarce, and aside from the occasional one-off event, professional programs rarely cross paths. A run club felt like the perfect solution: a way to prioritize wellness while fostering a greater sense of community across all disciplines.
Our first run kicked off on a Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. Yes, it’s early—but the reality is, there’s simply no other time outside of classes and clinic. Despite the early hour, the turnout was incredible. Every runner received free DOSE juice shots, and we’ve since partnered with Truely CEREAL, a protein cereal sponsor, to keep the energy flowing in future runs. These touches make the experience not only healthy but fun, motivating students to show up week after week.
Road Runners is built on a simple idea: finish the week strong by starting your Friday right. In demanding programs like medicine, dentistry, law, physiotherapy, and nursing, it’s easy to put personal wellness aside. By carving out this time to run together, we’re building habits and friendships that we hope will carry forward into our future professions.
And although the club is marketed toward professional programs, all are welcome. Whether you’re an undergraduate student with professional program aspirations, a faculty member, or a member of the London community who values health and connection—you’ll find a place here. All paces are welcome, from casual joggers to competitive runners.
At its heart, Road Runners is about more than running. It’s about reminding ourselves that health and well-being are worth prioritizing, even in the busiest seasons of our lives. By finishing the week with a strong start to Friday, we set ourselves up to truly enjoy the weekend—earned, not given.
Follow along at @roadrunnerslondon
About the author
Mony Madlol is a first-year dental student and Class President for the DDS Class of 2028 at Schulich. Follow him on Instagram (@moony.dentistry) and TikTok (@moony.dentistry).