LARUNFAM: Bringing the Bridge The Gap Spirit to the Basque Country
The story of LARUNFAM begins with a homecoming. In early 2018, the crew's founder, Kat, returned to her home in the beautiful Basque Country after spending many years living abroad. During that time, she had been inspired by the energy and camaraderie of the global Bridge The Gap (BTG) running crew movement. Realizing that no such crew was established in her region, she decided to found LARUNFAM to bring that unique spirit of social running to the south of France.
A Philosophy of Social Connection
The philosophy of LARUNFAM is to provide a more social context for running, offering a friendly and relaxed alternative to the often formal structure of traditional athletic clubs. It's a space for friendship, shared passion, and mutual support. Many of the crew's members also train seriously with formal clubs throughout the year, but they come to LARUNFAM for the camaraderie and the joy of running together in a less structured environment.
The culture of LARUNFAM is deeply connected to the incredible natural landscape of their home. They are, first and foremost, a crew of trail runners who take full advantage of the magnificent tracks that their region's mountains and sea coast offer. Their activities are centered around weekly runs between the chic coastal town of Biarritz and the surf hub of Anglet. During the weekends and on long summer evenings after work, their adventures take them off the beaten path and into the mountains for more challenging and scenic trail runs.
LARUNFAM extends a warm invitation to any runner in the Basque Country seeking a social and adventurous trail-running community. They have created a welcoming space for people to connect and share their passion for the sport and the outdoors. Interested individuals are encouraged to connect with them via their official social media channels for the latest information on their runs.
The Basque Running Scene
LARUNFAM is a key player in the running community of the French Basque Country. The region is also home to more traditional athletics clubs that provide structured, competitive training. Together, these groups create a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem for athletes of all types, from the social trail runner to the competitive road racer, all thriving in one of France's most beautiful corners.
The French Basque Country is a unique cultural region in the western Pyrenees mountains where France meets Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. This stunning geography, where green, rolling mountains meet a world-famous coastline, makes it an incredible playground for a trail-focused running crew. The region's largest city, Biarritz, is an elegant seaside resort famous for its grand hotels and surf culture.
The running routes of LARUNFAM are some of the most beautiful in Europe. Their weekly runs often follow the scenic coastal path that connects the elegant resort town of Biarritz with the neighboring surf-hub of Anglet, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic. Their weekend adventures take them into the nearby Pyrenees mountains, where an endless network of trails provides a challenging and rewarding escape into nature. The crew and other local runners are a major presence at regional races, including the Marathon International de Biarritz - Pays Basque, which offers a spectacular course along the coast, as well as numerous challenging trail races held in the Pyrenees throughout the year.