When 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop launched its weekly run club three and a half years ago, just 14 runners showed up. Today, that modest beginning has evolved into a major local event, regularly attracting more than 200 participants.
On the evening of June 4, in celebration of Global Running Day, a vibrant crowd of runners filled 2nd Street, energized by music from DJ Tim Schalch of TLS Entertainment. The event reflected just how far the run club has come since its inception.
Owner Marc Tuchman, who founded the club, said the turnout has exceeded all expectations.
“Did I ever think it would be that big? Never,” said Tuchman. “I always felt like in my head it was going to be like 50 people, and it would be a lot of fun… This has literally taken on a life of its own.”
While the club now operates as its own entity, Tuchman acknowledged the effort required to maintain it. According to 99 Bottles, it has become the largest weekly run club in Sarasota.
Each Wednesday, participants gather for a 5K route that winds down 2nd Street, across the Ringling Bridge, and back again. Many linger afterward for drinks and conversation, forging connections that extend beyond the run.
Runner Julia Hollinger, who has attended for over a year, said the club offers more than fitness. “Great people. Great way to meet friends. And I run every day, so it’s just part of our routine,” she said.
For Global Running Day, the weekly tradition included a new feature—a lead golf cart with live music, inspired by Diplo’s Run Club, a nationally touring 5K event series led by DJ Diplo that fuses running and music. Tuchman noted the influence, referencing the large crowds Diplo draws in cities across the country.
The club began reaching consistent triple-digit attendance about two years ago, and by the summer of 2024, it hit a peak of 300 runners weekly. Although numbers dipped slightly after that surge, the run club has maintained an average of about 200 participants over the past year.
Among those in attendance for the June 4 event were representatives from local lululemon stores, including Ari Olivo, Courtney McClure, Mara Baran, and Liz Raddake, showing their support for the growing community.
“One of the best compliments that we get often is how so many participants say that they love coming back every Wednesday because they have met friends and groups of friends that they hang out with,” Tuchman said.
With its blend of fitness, music, and social connection, the 99 Bottles run club has grown from a casual idea into a vital part of Sarasota’s community culture.
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