Lazyboys Track Club: Serious Speedwork, Serious Fun in Geneva

In May 2018, a new running movement was born in the shadow of the mountains in Geneva. The story of Lazyboys Track Club began when Sophie, inspired by her time running with the North Brooklyn Runners while living in New York, decided to borrow their famous Thursday track workout schedule and bring it to her new home. Together with a group of running buddies, including Vic, Joe, Tensai, and Romain, she helped establish an informal and welcoming group for distance runners of all abilities, from Geneva's fastest to those just starting out.

A Philosophy of Collective Fun

The philosophy of Lazyboys Track Club is to create a space where runners can improve their speed while having a great deal of fun along the way. The crew thinks of itself as a cooperative, with many founders, leaders, and happy co-runners all contributing to the group's spirit. While focal points like Sophie, Vic, and Tensai help guide the community, the emphasis is on a collective, informal environment. They believe that the shared effort of a tough workout is the perfect catalyst for building a strong and supportive community where everyone feels welcome and included.

Weekly Workouts and a Legendary Annual Meet

The culture of Lazyboys Track Club is built around a consistent weekly track workout, semi-regular long runs, and providing enthusiastic moral support for members at local and international races. Their most famous cultural contribution, however, is their annual track meet. This event, which they humorously claim is the "most fun athletic event in the Swiss sporting calendar," perfectly captures their spirit. It features a mix of serious and social events, including a 4x400m relay, a classic mile race, and a highly anticipated beer mile, making it a true celebration of their "work hard, play hard" ethos.

Lazyboys Track Club extends a warm and open invitation to any runner in Geneva looking for an informal and welcoming group to tackle speedwork with. They welcome everyone from the city's fastest to those just starting out. To stay connected with the crew and receive the latest updates on their runs and events, we recommend following their official Instagram account.

The Geneva Running Scene

Lazyboys brings a fun, track-focused energy to the vibrant and international running scene in Geneva. The city is also home to other social running crews and more traditional athletics clubs, which together create a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem for athletes of all types. This network thrives in a city that serves as a global hub for sports and diplomacy.

The city of Geneva is a stunning and unique place to run. As a global financial center and home to the United Nations and the Red Cross, it has a truly international atmosphere. It is beautifully situated at the southern tip of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), nestled between the Alps and the Jura mountains. This incredible natural scenery provides a breathtaking backdrop for the city's passionate running community.

While the heart of the Lazyboys is on the track at a location like the Centre sportif du Bout-du-Monde, their semi-regular long runs explore the city's iconic routes. A favorite for all Geneva runners is the path along the shore of Lake Geneva, offering stunning views of the famous Jet d'Eau and the surrounding mountains. The paths that follow the Rhône River as it flows out of the lake also provide a beautiful and flat course. The local running calendar is highlighted by two premier events: the Generali Genève Marathon in the spring, and the historic Course de l'Escalade in December, a massive and festive series of races through the Old Town that is a beloved city tradition.