Our StoryFounded in the early 1980s, the Avondale Running Club (ARC) began as a small group of African American runners coming together to stay fit, build consistency, and support one another. What started as weekend runs quickly became a movement rooted in health, community, and visibility.
By 1984, ARC was officially formed in Avondale, Cincinnati becoming what is now recognized as the oldest organized African American running club in the nation. Over the decades, ARC grew to include runners and walkers of all ages and paces, united by a shared commitment to wellness and service.
What We Stand For
Wellness for All
We believe movement should be accessible. Whether you run, walk, or are just starting out, ARC welcomes you.
Consistency & Community
We show up weekly, support each other, and build healthy habits together.
Service & Impact
ARC uses fitness as a tool to uplift Avondale and surrounding communities.
Community Impact
ARC’s mission extends beyond miles.
Scholarships awarded to college‑bound students
Charity races and fitness walks
Support for youth programs, schools, and health organizations
Annual service through major city events
Our signature race, Feet in the Street, was created to raise funds and awareness for youth programming and community health.
Leadership & Visibility
City & National Presence
ARC has played a major role in Cincinnati’s running culture most notably through long‑standing participation in the Flying Pig Marathon, where ARC has earned recognition for operating the event’s most energetic fluid stations.
National Affiliation
ARC is a proud member of the National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA) and holds a seat on its board representing Cincinnati on a national stage.
Honors & Recognition
Gillis Bowden
Gillis Bowden achieved a rare and historic milestone by completing a marathon in every U.S. state, finishing his 50th state marathon in April 2014. In addition, he has run every marathon in Ohio, marking him as one of ARC’s most accomplished endurance athletes.
Frances Gilbert
Frances Gilbert has participated in every National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA) target annual event. She, along with Elizabeth Brown, Kim Zellars, and Najiyyah Duncan, has earned awards at the Fleet Feet Lady Distance Classic, a premier women’s-only race. Frances Gilbert was inducted into the inaugural class of the NBMA Hall of Fame on November 16, 2014, in Richmond, Virginia.
Elizabeth Brown
Elizabeth Brown is a world-class distance runner whose accomplishments span continents. She has completed the Boston Marathon four times (1993, 1994, 2005, 2006) and has raced internationally in Paris and Pauillac (France), Amsterdam (Holland), Lisbon (Portugal), Quebec City, Calgary, and Montreal (Canada), Lausanne (Switzerland), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), and Vienna (Austria).
Natalie Graves
Natalie Graves has represented ARC on the international stage, completing marathons in Lisbon (Portugal), Quebec City, Calgary, and Montreal (Canada), Lausanne (Switzerland), and Belo Horizonte (Brazil) demonstrating ARC’s global reach.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In December 2015, at the NBMA ceremony in Dallas, Texas:
Elizabeth Brown was inducted into the NBMA Hall of Fame as a distance runner.
Avondale Running Club was inducted into the NBMA Hall of Fame as the oldest organized African-American running club in the nation.
A Tradition of Excellence
Over the decades, ARC members have earned countless finishers medals, awards, and recognitions across local, national, and international races. These achievements reflect not only athletic excellence, but also ARC’s enduring commitment to discipline, perseverance, and community pride.
ARC Today
Today, Avondale Running Club continues to evolve bringing together youth, adults, and seniors who believe movement builds confidence, health builds strength, and community builds legacy.
ARC is more than a running club. It’s a commitment to show up for yourself and for your community.