Street Striders have celebrated a major milestone in its history with the official opening of its new home, 'The Strub', at Victoria Club in Street.

The new hub (named through a competition completed amongst the club's members) was officially opened on Saturday 8 August by Cllr Peter Goater, Chair of Street Parish Council, and Cllr Liz Leyshon, Deputy Leader of Somerset Council and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance.

The event was led by Street Striders Chair Fee Nunn, who reflected on the remarkable journey the club has taken since it was founded in 2019;

"What began as a small group of people brought together through a shared love of running and a desire to improve their health and wellbeing has grown into a thriving community. Today, Street Striders has members ranging in age from 18 to 82, demonstrating that running, friendship and community spirit really do have no age limit."

"For the club, running has always been about much more than miles and finish lines. Members have supported each other in improving their health, building confidence and making lasting friendships. Their achievements range from completing their first Couch to 5K through to marathons and ultramarathons, while many others have simply discovered the enjoyment of being active as part of a supportive community."

"The Strub represents the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for the club. For years, Street Striders had no permanent base, often gathering in car parks whatever the weather before heading out for their runs."

The new hub now provides a place for members to meet, celebrate achievements, welcome newcomers, plan adventures and strengthen the friendships at the heart of the club.

The project was made possible through a combination of community support, fundraising and the hard work of members and volunteers. Street Parish Council provided a vital grant, while Shapwick Runners, Ed Howells Associates Ltd and Defence Support Optimisation Ltd also provided valuable financial support.

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Members themselves played a major role, notably through a remarkable #48HourRunathon in October 2024, with members running day and night to raise funds towards creating a permanent home for the club.

For Street Striders, The Strub is much more than a building. It is a symbol of friendship, generosity, perseverance and community spirit; a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

As the club looks ahead to its next chapter, The Strub will provide a lasting home for many more miles, memories, friendships and opportunities to give back to the local community.

Street Striders meet for regular runs on Mondays and Thursdays. If you are interested in joining them during this exciting next chapter of our history then please check out their website (www.streetstriders.co.uk) or contact us for more details by emailing [email protected].