Movement-centric Grapevine nonprofit provides social, philanthropic opportunities

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Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers Club (LGRAW) was formed in 1997 by Richard Craft along with a group of like-minded individuals. Over the ensuing decades, the movement-focused nonprofit gathered traction as members adhered to their mission of promoting running and walking as a healthy lifestyle.

Who it's for
Exhibiting the breadth of LGRAW participants are Communications Liaison Kelly Richards and Club President David Chase.

Richards said she had just moved to Texas in 1998 when she learned about LGRAW.

“I was a new runner and didn’t even know running clubs were a thing,” Richards, a Grapevine resident, said. “I saw evidence of the club because they put out water [stations] on the weekend. I came out to one of their small runs and that’s when I found out there was a running club and that’s who was putting out the water.”

“I moved to Southlake from Addison in 2000 and started to train for marathons," Chase said. "My neighbor was a member [of LGRAW]. We started training with her for a marathon and we came out here a few times. My neighbor doesn't run out here anymore, but I kept it up.”

Other participants, with ages spanning from teenagers to octogenarians, represent various fitness levels.

“What's happening here in LGRAW is very different than what's been happening around the rest of the country in that one of our biggest membership growth areas has been 30 year olds or under,” Kelly said. “We even have people on our board 30 and under where everyone else is desperate to engage that group.”

What’s happening?
Every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7 a.m., a group departs from LGRAW’s clubhouse on Dove Loop Road in Grapevine. The 8- or 9-mile trails, which are dotted with hydration stations, provide views of Grapevine Lake.

On Tuesday evenings, LGRAW holds social runs that start at Hop & Sting Brewing Company in downtown Grapevine for a 1K-5K run/walk around Grapevine trails. Participants are invited to stay after to enjoy a craft beer, food and to meet other runners. The run is free and $0.25 from every draft beer sold on Tuesdays supports the LGRAW scholarship fund.

Prior to starting weekly events, a brief meeting is held to give announcements and introduce newcomers then pair them with someone who will be moving at a similar pace.

“You don’t have to run a half mile in three minutes, you just have to show up,” Chase said. “If a couple comes where one is a runner and the other a walker, they can go their pace and they won’t have to go alone.”

What else?
LGRAW held the first Bold in the Cold 5K and 15K in 1999. That run has been held every year since.

Annual scholarships are awarded by LGRAW to Grapevine Colleyville ISD seniors who have run cross country or their parents were members of LGRAW. Sometimes other parameters are implemented. The group also supports local charities with like-minded values like Special Olympics Texas and Girls on the Run.

Since 2000, the nonprofit has participated in Keep Grapevine Beautiful and focuses specifically on the trails used on weekend runs.

Quote of note
Chase and Richards both feel LGRAW has something to offer everyone.

“When I was younger ... there were two things that really helped me destress—sports and nature. This combines both,” Chase said. “When you're out running in the morning and then you see the sunrise, it's like my meditation, like my church.”

Richards says people looking for accountability and relationships will benefit from joining LGRAW.

“People who love running also hate running, it's a hard sport ... because the weather here, when it comes to running, is too hot, too cold, too windy, too humid. We have, like, 10 perfect days,” Richards said. “[It’s beneficial] having somebody to experience it with, to help click the miles off ... then all of a sudden you're like, we just ran three miles and didn't even realize it. But, probably more importantly are the friendships that you make.”​

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LGRAW Communications Liaison Kelly Richards and Club President David Chase said membership is not a requirement to participate in weekend and social runs. (Karen Chaney/Community Impact)​​​