Asian Runners Far West: A Global Crew Bridging Gaps, One Race at a Time
The story of Asian Runners Far West begins with a simple, fun idea at a global run crew gathering. In 2015, during a Bridge The Gap (BTG) event in Copenhagen, two friends, Frans of NBRO Running and Wan of Running Junkies, decided it would be fun to gather all the runners of Asian descent for a group photograph. That single snapshot sparked a realization: there was a shared identity and a need for connection among the Asian diaspora within the global running movement. From that spontaneous moment, a new kind of crew was born—one without borders.
This is a crew founded on a simple, powerful idea: "We are not different, we just all have Asian roots." The philosophy, driven by its well-known and respected founders, Frans and Wan, is not about creating separation but about fostering a point of connection and shared identity. It’s a space for Asian runners in the West and around the world to connect over their shared heritage and a mutual love for the sport, effectively bridging the gap between East, West, and everywhere in between.
Asian Runners Far West brilliantly demonstrates that a crew does not need a fixed weekly run in a single city to build a powerful and deeply felt community. Their community thrives in the digital space and comes to life physically at major international race weekends and Bridge The Gap events. These global meetups become their version of a local run, providing an opportunity for members from all over the world to finally run together, share experiences, and reinforce the feeling of belonging to a truly global family.
The culture of this unique crew is one of travel, connection, and celebration. Their main activities are the highly anticipated meetups at marathons in cities like Berlin, London, New York, and Tokyo. These race weekends are filled with group shakeout runs, pre-race pasta dinners, and post-race celebrations. It is in these moments, when members from different cities and countries unite, that the true spirit of their global community is most vibrant.
The invitation to join Asian Runners Far West is open to any runner with Asian roots, no matter where you live. It is not an invitation to a local club, but to a global family. The best way to connect with the community is by following their journey online, engaging with their members, and making plans to meet up at the next major running event on the international calendar.
