### Still Waters Run Deep: Manchester, UK – Where Curiosity Meets Running

**How It All Started**

Founded in October 2013 in Manchester, United Kingdom, Still Waters Run Deep (SWRD) was born from a simple question: how can a group of friends combine their love of running with their passion for design, music and art? The crew’s founders — Richard, Sorrell and Ciaran — wanted more than a training group; they envisioned a community that would transform running into an exploration of Manchester’s urban landscape. From their first outings around the Northern Quarter and the city’s network of canals, their curiosity drew others in. What started as a handful of creative minds grew into a crew of dozens who valued conversation as much as cadence. The motto that guided them, “a journey of curiosity and creativity,” captured both their name and their spirit.

**What They Believed In**

SWRD’s philosophy was rooted in the belief that running can be a form of storytelling. Rather than chasing personal bests, the crew encouraged members to see each run as a way to reconnect with their city and each other. Their mission was to foster an inclusive space where anyone — from seasoned marathoners to those taking their first steps — could experience Manchester’s streets and waterways in a new light. Membership was open and free: no fees, no exclusivity, just an invitation to come along, share ideas and move together. Over time, the crew evolved into a platform for creative collaboration, organising runs that celebrated local artists, designers and musicians.

**The People Behind the Movement**

At its heart, SWRD remained a small, tight-knit circle led by its three founders. Richard, a designer with a background in architecture, mapped out routes that showcased the city’s industrial heritage and modern landmarks. Sorrell, an artist and photographer, brought a visual sensibility to the runs, encouraging members to document their journeys through photography and sketching. Ciaran, a community organiser, emphasised inclusivity, making sure new runners felt welcome and that the group’s pace matched the slowest runner. Together they nurtured a culture that felt more like a creative collective than a sports club. Post‑run gatherings often morphed into discussions about music, art or city planning, and the crew’s social media feeds became a gallery of Manchester seen through the eyes of its runners.

**How They Moved**

SWRD didn’t follow a rigid schedule but offered a few recurring formats. One of their favourites was the **Canals & Cobblestones Run**, a Sunday morning 8–10 km loop that meandered along the Rochdale and Ashton canals before diving into the alleys of the Northern Quarter at a conversational pace of 6:30–7:00 min/km. Another staple was **Thursday Night Cityscapes**, a mid‑week 5 km run starting at 7 p.m. from a rotating meeting point — sometimes a local café, sometimes an art gallery — inviting members to see familiar streets under the glow of evening lights. They also hosted periodic **Creative Tours**, partnering with guest artists or historians who would guide the group through specific themes such as “Industrial Revolution heritage” or “Street Art Highlights.” Each run ended with a debrief over coffee or a pint, reinforcing the crew’s emphasis on connection.

**The City They Ran Through**

Manchester provided a perfect canvas for SWRD’s explorations. The city’s juxtaposition of red‑brick mills and glass skyscrapers, its thriving music scene, and its network of waterways made every route feel like a discovery. Annual events such as the **Great Manchester Run**, the **Manchester Marathon** and the **City of Manchester 10 k** reflected the city’s sporting spirit and occasionally served as unofficial meet‑ups for the crew. While Still Waters Run Deep is no longer active, their legacy lives on. They showed that a running crew can be more than a training group; it can be a creative community that celebrates its city and invites others to share the journey. Anyone inspired by their story is encouraged to take to the streets of Manchester, to look up, slow down, and let curiosity lead the way — because even when the crew has stopped meeting, the idea behind Still Waters Run Deep continues to ripple through the city’s running culture.