ABOUT MADE RUNNING
Founded in 2023 in Manchester, UK by Hermen Dange, Made Running is the biggest Run Club in the UK & Europe.
Hermen’s journey with running began during his time in prison. He took part in Parkrun sessions, where volunteers would help inmates engage in running as a means to momentarily escape the weight of their sentences. Hermen recalls feeling the embrace of solidarity even during his time in prison, as fellow inmates joined him for runs.
“No one should ever feel abandoned, and our community stands ready to offer support whenever and wherever it’s needed.”
Running gave Hermen a powerful outlet that became instrumental in turning his life around. It was the peace and focus that first drew Hermen to running, but the passion then grew with the bonds formed with fellow runners into acommunity dedicated to helping each other and those who once walked in his shoes.
“When I got out of prison I focussed on getting really fit and taking care of myself.”
Hermen realised pretty early on that he was a solid runner, posting excellent times on the Parkruns, fuelling enthusiasm for the sport. But it wasn’t his ability that motivated him, it was the sense of community and the support system it gave him.
“It was an incredible feeling, I knew I had to be part of it, and I knew others needed to be part of it too.”
As Hermen got more and more into running, he and his friend bounced around the idea of establishing a running club. “I wasn’t sure to begin with, but maybe it was just a natural progression. After witnessing the transformative impact it had on my own life, I felt compelled to share that with others facing similar challenges.”
Before long, the runs gradually started attracting more people to the runs, and before long, Hermen had around 20 people running alongside him, spurred on by the community feel they created.
“When I’m running, I can forget about the stresses of life. Back when I was in prison, it helped me forget about my sentence, and being around others also made a huge difference.”
“As the club grew, through the power of the community and social media, I realised it was about more than just achieving personal fitness goals; it was about welcoming newcomers to the sport, each with their aspirations and reasons for running. Some sought to loose weight, while others, like me, sought refuge from life’s challenges.”
What began as a desire to break free from the confines of Hermen’s past, Made Running has evolved into a journey of empowerment and community. It became about building a community, a family. “It’s not just about me anymore; it’s about helping as many other people as we can.”
Founded By
HERMAN DANGE
Founded by Hermen Dange, who was once entangled in a life of crime, he discovered his path to redemption through the rhythmic beats of running.
His newfound passion led him to establish Made Running, an inclusive running club that has since grown into a community dedicated to uplifting one another through life's challenges. From its humble beginnings with just seven members, Made Running has blossomed into a close-knit community of thousands.