For anyone who has ever felt anxious about joining a run club because they were worried they wouldn’t be fast enough, South Jersey Slow Girls wants you to know: You’re exactly who they had in mind.
Founded by Shawna Delellis, South Jersey Slow Girls Run Club is a supportive and inclusive community for women who want to move their bodies, meet new people, and enjoy running without the pressure of keeping up with anyone else.
“I wanted to connect with other runners in my area who were back of the pack or slower runners and build community,” Delellis said.
She started the club in the summer of 2025, but it truly began to take off in the spring and summer of 2026. Since then, what started as an idea to bring runners together has grown into a community where women of different ages, body types, and paces can show up exactly as they are.
Despite “Slow Girls” being right there in the name, not everyone in the club is slow.
The group includes runners ranging from approximately seven-minute miles to 16-minute miles, with everyone encouraged to move at their own pace. The goal isn’t to finish first. It’s to make sure nobody finishes alone.
“We have running paces from 7-minute miles all the way to 16-minute miles!” Delellis said. “Everyone is moving at their own pace, so you never have to worry about keeping up. Someone will always circle back to finish with you, and everyone will be waiting and cheering at the end!”
Most South Jersey Slow Girls meetups cover about two miles, with the option to shorten the route or add on for three miles. But the run itself is only part of the experience.
After morning runs, the group often heads to a local coffee shop or restaurant for breakfast. Evening runs might end with ice cream or cocktails, and throughout the year, the club plans themed events around holidays including the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas.
It’s an approach that makes the club feel less like a traditional athletic group and more like a social community built around movement.
The club is specifically for women, something Delellis says is intentional.
“It is important to me for women to have a space to move their body where they feel safe and comfortable,” she said.
There are no requirements based on age, pace, or body type. For anyone nervous about showing up to their first run club, Delellis has a simple message: Don’t be intimidated.
“I want people to know that joining a run club should not be scary,” she said. “Run clubs should always feel welcoming! If they don’t, then that’s on them, not you.”
While most members are local to South Jersey, the group has also attracted women who travel to participate. Some join when they are in the area for the summer, while others drive 45 minutes to an hour to make it to a meetup.
For Delellis, that willingness to travel speaks to something bigger than running.
“I believe that everyone wants to feel welcome and part of a community,” she said. “I think having ‘Slow Girls’ in the name removes the pressure to be fast and keep up with the fastest person.”
That sense of community has become one of the most rewarding parts of the club. Friendships have developed both during and outside of the run club, with members running together, spending time together, and supporting one another beyond their weekly meetups.
Delellis has also loved seeing members bring their daughters along.
“Young girls and women should not only see their mothers accomplish hard things, but they should know there is an inclusive place for them to do what they love,” she said. “And if they can’t find that place, then maybe they will create that place.”
Delellis understands firsthand how meaningful running can be. She began running in 2020 and became more deeply involved in the running and racing community in 2024. During a difficult period when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and Delellis became her caretaker, running became an outlet and a way to make time for herself.
Since then, she has participated in countless races and has even raised money for Legacy of Hope, a Philadelphia organization that provides financial assistance to cancer patients.
One of her favorite Slow Girls moments came this past June, when members participated in a three-race weekend. For some, it was their first race. For others, it was their longest or fastest race yet.
“I loved seeing how proud they were of themselves and how their hard work in and out of run club had paid off,” Delellis said.
Looking ahead, Delellis hopes to see South Jersey Slow Girls become even more connected to the communities where they run. Local Ocean City businesses have welcomed the group, creating opportunities for members to support local businesses while building relationships throughout the community.
The club also plans to volunteer during the Atlantic City Half and Full Marathon and hopes to participate in or volunteer at more local events in the future.
And the running won’t stop when summer ends. Delellis plans to keep the club going year-round, even if colder weather means swapping outdoor runs for workout classes or other ways to stay connected.
Ultimately, South Jersey Slow Girls isn’t really about being slow — or even about running.
It’s about having somewhere to show up, move at your own pace, and know that someone will be there cheering when you cross the finish line.
For information about upcoming runs, events, and meetups, follow @sjslowgirls on Instagram.
