Mridul Manoj shares his journey and vision of building a running club in Dubai.
It all starts with a run, but that isn’t the main reason people keep returning.
Last year, we spoke with Mridul Manoj, who shared his ambition of launching a running club. The 24-year-old had already gained attention for his then 2,000-day running streak, which is now approaching seven years.
What began as a vision has since evolved into a growing running community in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
“The name is More Life, which means wishing someone more life, more health, more blessings,” he explains. Inspired by Drake’s More Life, the concept goes beyond fitness alone.
It’s about living fully—being adventurous, collecting experiences and embracing joy. “I actually have ‘More Life’ tattooed on my hand, which I got for my 23rd birthday, so the name is very personal and closely tied to my identity and brand,” he says.
The turnout for the group has steadily grown. In the first week, five people participated, rising to seven in week two, then jumping to 19 in week three. Attendance remained stable in week four, continued momentum into week seven with 23 participants, and has since held steady at that level into week eight.
This infectious energy has been drawing people to Sunday 6:30 a.m. runs, with the community steadily growing over seven weeks. The WhatsApp group now includes around 45 members.
The format is simple: “There are two groups, one that runs and one that walks. The walking group does 3km, and the running group does 5km,” he explains.
That flexibility defines the experience. Unlike more competitive running clubs, Mridul Manoj keeps the approach inclusive and low-pressure—encouraging people simply to show up, walk if they prefer, and not worry about pace or performance.
You might meet new people, make friends, and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the end of it all. For him, the real reward is seeing participants return week after week. “When I see people making time for this, despite workdays, and wanting to return, I know that I have done something right,” he says.
The club is not primarily focused on performance. “From day one, the vision has been about meeting new people and building community—fitness is just the medium, not the priority. It’s beginner-friendly, social, and centred on good energy and connection rather than elite running,” he says.
In his candid style, he notes that everyone is dealing with something, and a bit of friendship, food, and motivation can be exactly what people need.
For now, the club is growing organically, with Mridul Manoj relying on Instagram and word-of-mouth. Many participants join after seeing the group during Sunday runs. “People see a few of us running and want to give it a shot,” he says.
Monetisation is not the focus at this stage. “This is a passion project,” he explains. However, the experience has already been transformative for him, helping him realise his strengths in marketing and reinforcing his confidence in building something of his own.
In his words, the running streak that once defined him has now evolved into something bigger—a growing community that keeps expanding.
