RUNNING FOR EVERYONE, ONE FRY AT A TIME

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming up, and the urge to run outside is stronger than ever. If running feels like fun to you, maybe you’ve been wanting to share that joy with other runners. Perhaps you’ve thought about joining a run club, but worried you might not be able to keep up with the group? Let us introduce you to an idea that’s as original as it is inclusive: Apérun Frites.

APÉRUN FRITES: A DIFFERENT WAY TO EXPERIENCE RUNNING

At NOPé, we love initiatives that do things differently. With that in mind, we wanted to introduce you to a concept that’s both welcoming and community-driven in the world of running: Apérun Frites! Because after all, movement should first and foremost be about freedom and shared enjoyment.

Behind this initiative are two passionate runners, Jessica Garneau and Gabriel Boisvert, determined to bring joy back to physical activity.

“Gabriel and I met through a social run club that takes place very early in the morning. We thought the format was interesting, but mornings aren’t necessarily accessible to everyone. I’m definitely more of a night owl than an early bird, so I wanted to be able to run with friends without setting an alarm. We swapped the post-run croissant for fries and the coffee for a drink, and that’s how Apérun Frites was born,” Jessica explains.

Both share a deep love for sports and outdoor activities. Jessica started triathlon at age six before transitioning to cycling at 10. She’s currently preparing for her first 65 km trail race. Gabriel, meanwhile, has always gravitated toward sports that involve running, like soccer and football. He’s been running for five years and trail running for three. But despite all the kilometres under their belts, they share the same desire: to find joy in movement. Through Apérun Frites, they want to bring back the social and accessible side of running.

“There are already many run clubs focused on performance, and they do it really well. We wanted to explore the fun and community side of things. We wanted people to feel comfortable joining us for a run, and having drinks afterwards makes the whole experience feel lighter,” says Gabriel.

WHY DOES RUNNING STILL FEEL SO INTIMIDATING?

Jessica and Gabriel believe there’s still a lot of performance pressure associated with running.

“But honestly, anyone can run. You just put on your shoes and place one foot in front of the other — that’s it! You’re a runner.”

Forget pace goals, comparison, and unrealistic standards. The concept is all about making everyone feel welcome.

“It’s really important to us that this stays as inclusive as possible. We want it to be clear that the goal isn’t to finish first. The goal is for everyone to end up in the same place: sharing fries and a drink together. We want every runner to leave wanting to come back,” says Jessica.

RUNNING FOR FUN FIRST

Jessica spent many years practising sports with performance in mind, but today her main goal is simply to finish each workout smiling. Gabriel admits he still experiences a tension between performance and enjoyment. Apérun Frites helps him shift that deeply rooted mindset.

The participants come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some runners belong to more training-focused run clubs, while others are joining a run club for the very first time. There are marathoners alongside people preparing for their first 5K.

“Apérun brings runners together around a shared passion, and that’s what makes the club so special,” say the founders.

A COMMUNITY THAT’S CHANGING THE WAY PEOPLE SEE RUNNING

Jessica and Gabriel aren’t the only ones whose relationship with running has changed. Every Apérun event gathers around sixty runners, and many never miss one. Some run the full route while others finish by walking. Here, the traditional rules are left behind and performance pressure takes a back seat.

“What stands out most to me is seeing people show up month after month. I really think we’ve created an event people genuinely look forward to — a chance to reconnect and simply move together,” says Jessica.

Apérun Frites is also a great opportunity for participants to break isolation and build new friendships.

“We should probably survey the runners, because I’m sure a lot of friendships have formed through the club. Personally, I’m originally from Sherbrooke and didn’t know many people when I moved to Beloeil. Creating Apérun Frites and joining other run clubs in the area really helped me find my people and build a community,” says Gabriel.

MOVING TOGETHER: WHEN APÉRUN MEETS NOPÉ

The Apérun Frites approach aligns perfectly with a freer and more intuitive vision of movement — a concept that fits naturally with NOPé’s values. That’s why it felt only natural for the two communities to collaborate on an event taking place on May 27, 2026, in Beloeil.

Runners from all walks of life will come together to chat while running, encourage one another, and enjoy a great moment together. The evening will end with a well-deserved apéro! Join us!

For all the details, visit their Instagram page. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter today!