It’s about 80 degrees, above average for the first week of April, and the sun won’t set for at least another two hours. Isaac Bennett is wearing a worn-out green T-shirt and dark blue sweatpants as he leads the charge through downtown Tulsa. He starts running southwest from the corner of Black Wall Street, quickly past ONEOK Field and down Archer Street.
He’s headed toward Boulder Avenue, where he’ll traverse the first of four bridges on his evening run. It’s a regular Monday for Bennett, who’s joined each week by about eight to 10 other Tulsans. The group calls itself the run club.
“The first part is all flat, so it’s the easiest part of the run that usually gives us time to really warm up,” he told The Eagle. “And then when we hit that first bridge on Boulder, that’s when it really kicks in.”
Bennett started the group about two years ago in conjunction with his evening walk club. The runs used to take place in the mornings with just five or six people. They would go for about three miles — past BMX Park and toward Pine Street. He often posts about the runs on social media, which has helped the club grow in size.
“The goal was to progressively add a mile (every week). It was my first time running at this time,” Bennett said. “I kind of gave the community a chance to join me.”
A space for everyone
As a physical trainer and social media influencer, Bennett is passionate about creating spaces where people of different fitness levels — and demographic backgrounds — can exercise comfortably.
He said most run clubs he came across would either have very few or no Black people at all.
He couldn’t figure out whether it was the fees attached to joining the clubs or social stigma. So he decided to make his club free and emphasize that anyone could join.
“I just wanted to have something that (makes) people feel welcome,” he said. “I speak the language of Black people … it’s important to have some spaces like this.”
While it’s not a race, Bennett said there is an element of competition and camaraderie between the more experienced runners.
“The best part of it is just the fellowship. Just running with people. It gives you that extra boost,” said Nigel Crawley, who has been running with the club since its inception in 2024. “To keep pushing, and just helping each other out to get better, that’s the best part of it for me. You can’t beat running on Greenwood, so it’s always a win.”
When feet meet pavement
Fellowship aside, it’s still a physically taxing run. It covers a little more than two miles with more than 400 feet of elevation gain, according to the fitness wearable WHOOP.
Here’s Bennett’s view of the bridges: The first one is like a wake up call. It’s the toughest and one of the longest. The second uphill battle on South Main Street is easier and gives you somewhat of a chance to catch your breath. Then you still have to conquer two more — one on MLK Jr. Boulevard and another on North Detroit Avenue.
For seasoned runners, the weather isn’t an excuse.
“It can be anywhere from (over 100) degrees to, I think the coldest we ran was 26 degrees,” Crawley said. “Weather is usually the hardest part about it.”
The run can take anywhere from 18 to more than a half hour depending on your fitness level. The last runner is typically greeted with a round of applause before they jump into a team photo.
“I like to try new things,” Bennett said. “Running may be for you, it may not be for you, but you won’t ever know unless you try.”
Walking it off
Once everyone is done, the group meets back at its starting point next to Greenwood Rising, where Bennett leads a group stretch session. He busts out a microphone and speaker to play some music and keep everyone locked in.
Next up is the second half of his appeal: a walking club. Nobody leaves for it until every runner finishes. But as 6 p.m. approaches — the start of the three-plus-mile walk — the crowd swells by about three times its original size.
Unlike the run, Bennett sometimes hangs back with the newcomers to make sure they stay on route and feel welcome.
Jade McDowell told The Eagle she saw Bennett’s Instagram posts advertising the walk. She finally decided to go after her friend invited her.
“It’s actually really fun to meet new people and actually walk three miles and walk through the city and explore everything,” McDowell said.
Walking after running lowers the heart rate and relaxes the body. The walk route isn’t set in stone, but participants always find themselves traversing through 3.4 miles of downtown, which depending on speed can last about an hour and a half.
Young or old, exercising consistently and being in shape is vital, Bennett said. As part of his mission, he also leads a free Saturday strength training group at Crossover Sports & Fitness. It starts at 8:15 a.m. but, be warned. That one will require you to sign a waiver.
Ismael Lele is a Report for America corps member and writes about business in Tulsa for The Oklahoma Eagle. Your donation to match our Report for America grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting this link.
