Walk. Run. Crawl. That simple mantra has become the heartbeat of a growing movement along the capital's iconic seawall, where the Seawall Run Club has turned a weekly seven-kilometre loop into a community celebrated by its members and newcomers.

Officially formed in August this year, the club has quickly gained momentum, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to show up however they can. “It’s a run club, but we also have people who walk,” said one of the founders and members of the club, Seiuli Tofilau Lepaitai Penn. “We just say, turn up. It’s not about running, it’s about moving.” 

The club gathers every Saturday, starting at 6 am or 5:30 during hotter months. They then run from Paddles Restaurant in Matautu to the Mulinuu Peninsula, following the seawall the whole way. Seiuli said the idea grew from a small group of friends who had been doing CrossFit and running challenges together for several years.

“That’s what we’re trying to encourage, inspire,” Seiuli said. “If we can inspire or encourage one person to do physical activity, that’s really all we want.”

Run club member Danny Karegua said he joined even before the club had an official name, beginning his first run in May. “My initial motivation was to boost my fitness for the upcoming Touch Rugby season,” he said. “But the reason I stayed was entirely different: it’s the incredible community and the friendships I met there… That strong social network and feeling of belonging is what has kept me committed to the Seawall Run Club.”

That sense of community has proved influential. Seiuli said group runs can push people to finish what they would not usually. “When you run by yourself, you’ll give up,” she said. “But if you have other people you’re running together with, then you’re more likely to finish it.”

The club’s inclusivity has also attracted prominent supporters. Through social media influencer Elvis Lopeti, the club recently hosted the You Know Clothing team from New Zealand and world boxing champion Jai Opetaia, drawing close to 80 participants.

Member and one of the club's founders, Fata Faitala Lima, said the club is working to change how Samoans see running. “There’s a huge misconception about what running is,” he said. “It’s important to enjoy your running journey, and so our goal has been to bring as many people together as possible to run or walk as a big community, so it becomes a more enjoyable activity."

Since its launch, attendance has increased. “We have had up to 40 or 50 attendants on several weeks,” Fata said. Their first awareness event for the Samoa Cancer Society drew more than 60 people and raised $1,400 for childhood cancer. 

While overseas clubs often compete internationally, the Seawall Run Club is taking its time. “We eventually want to be able to host ‘Park Runs’ and maybe even start hosting half-marathon or marathon events,” Fata said. "The focus is on getting everybody moving and enjoying the idea of walking or running consistently. No matter how slow, you just have to show up consistently."

He said the club hopes to build its community and the team working behind the scenes so they can begin hosting larger events in the future, especially fundraisers for health services in need of more support, including the Samoa Cancer Society and the National Kidney Foundation.