-Jagruti Katkar
With Run & Rave, you have people coming together early in the morning, a DJ playing music from a moving truck, everyone running together and an atmosphere that feels more like a celebration than a workout,” Alex says. It was so much fun that we literally forgot we were running,” says Michelle Crasto from Navelim. “Sometimes all you need is good music, good people, and the right energy to get you moving,” she adds. “It felt less like a workout and more like a celebration of fitness, fun, and community!” she says.
Who needs a dance floor when you have a road, a DJ on a moving truck and a bunch of people ready to run to the beat? Goa’s run-and-rave scene is giving early mornings a new rhythm, bringing together fitness, music and socialising for an experience that feels more like a party than a workout. Going beyond just kilometers The idea behind the format is to make running less intimidating and more enjoyable. Alex Colaco, founder of a run club in Margao, started with a small WhatsApp group to organise Sunday runs after realising that many of his clients struggled to run on their own. As the group grew into a community, Goa’s music culture inspired him to take the concept further. The club’s first-anniversary Run-Rave-Coffee-Donuts event in Margao brought the idea to life, with a DJ playing from a moving truck and participants running, dancing and socialising. “I think the biggest difference is that we’re creating an entire experience around running rather than focusing only on the kilometres covered or the pace people run at. Clinton Tavares, who organised a run-and-rave event in Panjim, was inspired by international DJs such as Diplo and Western run clubs that combine music with running. He wanted to bring the concept to Goa as a way to make fitness more enjoyable and social. It’s about building a community and people coming together and choosing themselves to be fitter and healthier as well as having a good time doing it. This gives people more ways to go out, socialise and do fun fitness activities and move your body in a positive way — Clinton Tavares, organiser of the run-and-rave event in Panjim Celebration of fitness, fun, and community The format seems to be striking a chord with participants, too. “The Rave Run was an absolute fun! Honestly, what an experience! The music, the crowd, the energy, everything was crazy! She believes the format can motivate those who struggle to get themselves out for a run. Ashwek, a footballer and DJ from Verna, also enjoyed the combination of music and movement, while Steffy Carvalho describes the experience as a celebration of fitness and community. With a DJ setting the soundtrack and coffee and donuts waiting at the finish line, run-and-rave events are turning exercise into a shared social experience. Here, the party doesn’t have to end at sunrise; it can start there. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.