It started slowly at first. Over the past few years, I had noticed a shift in some friends’ behaviours. They would forego their debaucherous Saturday nights in favor of quiet evenings, so that they could wake up early on Sunday mornings to run. They seemed happy and healthy and wholesome. This, of course, prompted me to question my own life choices—am I missing out on something here? At the time, running seemed like a painful way to spend my time. How could the simple repeated motion of propelling your body forward be so difficult? Alas, it is a mystery that continues to escape my grasp.
It is still unclear to me exactly why I decided to go for a run that particular day, but I just remember how my legs were aching with leaden heaviness at the end, how my lungs were screaming with burning tightness and yet I thought to myself, “I feel invincible.” I was going through a difficult year at that time and in those 20 minutes that I ran through my neighborhood, my mind was empty. I experienced rare moments to myself when I wasn’t burdened with heavy thoughts and all I had to worry about was putting one foot in front of the other. I’m not going to succumb to my penchant for melodrama and say something I’ll cringe at later, but running certainly did give me a healthy way to cope.
Everyone starts running for different reasons. For some, it may be meeting people in a new city, for others it may be holding oneself accountable to health goals, and for others yet it may be something as simple as wanting to try something new. Whatever the reasons are, running has invariably become an activity that brings people together and allows them to push themselves in a nourishing way. Having experienced something similar himself, Sean MacWilliams founded Little Tokyo Run Club after he fell back in love with running on his own terms as an adult, and wanted to create a space where likeminded individuals could come together and run as a community.
After losing a close family member, Sean took a step back and reflected on what he wanted to prioritize. Starting LTRC was not spontaneous, but rather an intentional way for Sean to connect with the people and places that ground him. Running through Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, which is one of the last remaining Japantowns in the United States, LTRC is an energizing group that celebrates a neighborhood steeped in history and community. At the core of LTRC is a desire to stay in the present. Welcoming runners of all levels, ages and backgrounds, Sean reminds all those who attend to forget their egos and to honor themselves.
As we look forward to our upcoming “LANG x LTRC Tempo Change” event this Saturday, August 23, we spoke with Sean on how he started LTRC and why Little Tokyo is such a unique place to run. Read our conversation below and follow @littletokyorunclub on Instagram to stay up to date on their latest runs.
LANG: How did you get into running? What do you like most about it?
Sean: I grew up playing soccer—since I was four, it’s always been a part of my life. So running was there, but it was always tied to the game. I actually tried varsity cross country in high school, but that only lasted a week—I wasn’t ready for the solo grind back then. It wasn’t until later that I came back to running on my own terms. Now, I love the clarity it gives me. It’s one of the few times in the week where everything slows down, and I can just be present.
Inclusivity is a key tenet of Little Tokyo Run Club, making sure to welcome people of all ages. What has your experience been like so far running LTRC and meeting all the different runners?
It’s been really special. We’ve had people show up who’ve never run a mile before, and others who are training for marathons—and everyone’s welcome. There’s no ego. I think the best part has been seeing real friendships form. We stretch together, run together, and hang out after. That energy is what makes LTRC feel like more than a run—it feels like a community.
What makes Little Tokyo a unique place to run?
Little Tokyo is one of the last remaining Japantowns in the country, and my family has roots here going back to the 1920s. Every street holds meaning—whether it’s a historic landmark, a family-owned business, or a mural telling stories of resilience. Running through this neighborhood isn’t just scenic—it’s deeply grounding. You feel like you’re part of something bigger.
There are a lot of run clubs out there right now. What made you want to start LTRC? What makes it special?
LTRC came from a really personal place. After losing a close family member, I started thinking more about how I wanted to spend my time—and who I wanted to spend it with. My grandmother turned 100 this year, and her strength and connection to this community inspired me to stop waiting and start something now. LTRC is special because it’s rooted in culture, heritage, and presence. It’s not about pace—it’s about showing up and moving forward together.
To those who are intimidated by getting started with running, what advice would you give them?
You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to run the whole way. You just need to show up for yourself. That’s it. Running can look like a lot of things—walk breaks, slow jogs, conversations mid-stride—and it’s all valid. The real win is starting.
What does community through running look like to you?
It looks like high fives and hellos, even when you’re tired. It’s someone slowing down to run your pace. It’s cheering someone on during their first 5K or sticking around after the run to share a coffee and a story. Running is the activity, but community is the outcome.
How does running inspire other parts of your life? What has running taught you?
Running has taught me to show up even when I don’t feel 100%. It’s made me more patient—with myself and with others. It also reminded me that you don’t have to be perfect to be consistent. That mindset has translated into my creative work, leadership, and the way I build community.
What are some of your running essentials?
Comfortable shoes, a solid warm-up (shoutout to Cam Lew for the routines), and music that fits the vibe. Post-run? Definitely a good oat cap extra dry. But honestly, the biggest essential is the people around me. A good crew makes the miles lighter.
Photos courtesy of Little Tokyo Run Club