More than just running – how one running club is transforming a community

When people think of running clubs, they often imagine intense training sessions and ambitious sporting goals. Kopli Sörk, however, has shown that a simple weekly run can grow into something much bigger – a community that brings together people, businesses and organisations around shared values. That is precisely why Coop Pank has chosen to support the initiative, as strengthening Estonian communities forms part of the bank’s broader mission.

The story of Kopli Sörk began quite simply – inspired by fresh air, beautiful surroundings and, as its founders jokingly admit, perhaps a little too much free time. Sometimes the best ideas emerge spontaneously, without months of planning. What started as a small local initiative has since developed into a nationwide movement, inspiring almost 60 running groups across Estonia. Although each community organises its activities independently, they are united by the same principles.

According to the founders of Kopli Sörk, it is “80% Kopli and 20% running”. In other words, people matter far more than sporting achievements. The runs take place at a relaxed pace over short distances, and no one is ever left behind. Participation is free, there is no registration, and anyone is welcome to join whenever they like. “Serious sport is for athletes – we’re here for the people,” says one of the founders, Andres Reimand. This approach makes it easy even for those with little or no running experience to take part.

The greatest impact, however, is not improved fitness. According to Reimand, running helps transform an anonymous city into a close-knit community. People who would otherwise simply pass each other in the street become familiar faces. “We’re stitching a big city into a small village. When you pop to the shop for milk in the evening, your arm gets tired from waving at everyone you know. It’s proper village life,” he says. Alongside the weekly runs, the group also visits local businesses, museums and cafés, giving participants an opportunity to get to know their neighbourhood while supporting local enterprises.

Kopli Sörk brings together people from a wide variety of backgrounds. The group includes Estonians, Russian-speaking residents, Ukrainians and members from several other countries, including the United States, Belgium and England. Meeting regularly through running encourages people to look out for one another and creates a more open and caring community. This strong sense of belonging is exactly why participants turn up whatever the weather – rain, snow or sleet rarely keep anyone away. On the contrary, overcoming challenging conditions together creates an even greater sense of achievement and strengthens the bonds between participants.

Although participation is free, Kopli Sörk’s activities extend well beyond the weekly runs. The community also organises larger events, raising funds and working with partners to make them possible. Before the Tallinn Marathon, for example, the group hosted a community gathering where nearly 300 runners enjoyed food, listened to Estonian rap music and were welcomed by a speech from former President of the Estonian Olympic Committee, Kersti Kaljulaid. Organising events of this scale requires a reliable partner to help manage the community’s shared funds and support its long-term ambitions.

Coop Pank’s visit to Kopli Sörk confirmed that we share a common understanding of the importance of community. Just as Kopli Sörk aims to strengthen local communities by bringing people together, Coop Pank is committed to supporting the growth of local people and businesses. As a bank entirely based on Estonian capital, Coop Pank supports new businesses through free everyday banking and personalised advice while also investing in initiatives that help communities thrive. This partnership goes beyond financial services – it contributes to a wider goal of creating an environment where good ideas can flourish and people feel that they truly belong.

The story of Kopli Sörk demonstrates that building a strong community does not require large budgets or complex systems. It simply takes people willing to invest their time and partners who believe in the same values. In the end, the greatest achievement is not the number of kilometres completed, but the people alongside whom those kilometres are shared. It is from these small initiatives that strong communities grow, making an entire city a friendlier place to live.