Late Night Menu Crew Is The Running Club That Feels Like Home

Running clubs are gaining serious momentum, and for good reason. Whether it's the chance to connect with others or to get out and move, people are craving spaces where they can be active while participating in shared experiences. Miami's Late Night Menu Crew (LNMC) is all about that. Founded by Arthur Alexander, LNMC isn't just a place to run; "it's a community that's become a second family for its members," Alexander explains. "It's about pushing limits, hitting personal milestones and creating a space to unwind after a busy day."

For Alexander, running wasn't always a passion. Coming from a basketball background, he viewed it more as a punishment than a sport. However, it became his go-to after college for managing stress and mental health. "Running became a big part of my routine to get me through life one day at a time," he reflects. As he found his stride, he also realized that he wanted to share the experience of running in Miami -- not just from his perspective but from the perspective of the community around him. So, in 2019, LNMC was born.

The run crew quickly grew into a women-focused, community-driven space prioritizing safety, inclusivity and connection. "We always refer to everyone as family," says Alexander. This mindset shapes everything from choosing well-lit, secure routes for nighttime runs to creating a supportive environment where members can take care of their physical, mental and emotional well-being. LNMC isn't just about running, it's about showing up for each other in every way.

At the same time, LNMC embraces growth and challenge. "I've always seen our run crew as a creatives' run crew," Alexander shares, emphasizing how running fuels self-expression and personal transformation. Their "Major Moments" program encourages members to take on major marathons, but the focus isn't just on race day -- it's on the journey.

But LNMC isn't just powered by Alexander -- Jackie Machin, the crew's dedicated pacer and content creator, plays a vital role in shaping its heartbeat. For Machin, this isn't just a run club; it's a movement, a support system and a space where every mile brings people closer together. Below, we catch up with Machin to explore how LNMC fosters connection, redefines belonging and proves that the right run crew can do more than change your pace.

On Starting Running

I started running in April 2019 when doing HIIT training at Orange Theory, to get fit for my wedding. In October, I joined my first LNMC run, unaware of how much it would change me. A month later, my world shifted -- I got divorced. Everything felt uncertain, but running became my space to process and rebuild. I heal a younger version of myself with every mile, the girl who once thought she wasn't strong, fast or good enough.

On Being a Pacer

The biggest challenge when pacing a run with mixed ability levels is making sure everyone feels included – not just physically but emotionally. My job is to ensure no one feels like they're running alone. I know what it's like to struggle through a run and feel like you're too slow to wonder if you even belong there. I also know what it feels like when someone turns to you mid-run and says, "You got this." Sometimes, that's all it takes.

A great running community is about the people, energy and how it makes you feel. I want to make space for people to show up exactly as they are without judgment and reassure them that they belong here, too.

On How a Collective Creates Confidence

Group size plays a huge role in feeling safe while running at night, especially for women. There's power in numbers -- not just in visibility and security but also in the confidence that comes from moving together as a collective. A large group also means a bigger connection. We're currently training for the Nike LA After Dark Half Marathon and we've committed to a 14-week training plan. This includes long runs every Sunday night to ensure our women feel safe. We don't just run together, we look out for one another. We move as a unit, communicate and check in with one another. Nobody runs alone and most importantly, nobody gets left behind. That kind of strength stays with you long after the run is over.

On the Meditative Power of Running at Night

One of the biggest mindset shifts I've noticed among women who start running at night is a heightened sense of awareness and presence. Running in the dark naturally encourages you to be more in tune with your surroundings, breath and body. It forces you to be present in a way that daytime running doesn’t always require, which creates a meditative effect. Instead of just logging miles, it becomes a practice in mindfulness.

There is a unique confidence that comes from moving freely at night. It's about trusting your instincts, strength and ability to navigate the unknown. Over time, that trust spills into other areas of life. I've seen women show up to their first night run hyper-aware and moving with uncertainty, but after a while, they realize they're not alone. Step by step, their posture changes, their stride opens up and they start owning the space around them.

On Partnering with Nike to Prioritize Women's Safety

Working with Nike Well Collective (Nike's all-women holistic fitness initiative), has helped amplify conversations around women's safety in running in a way that feels deeply personal. 95% of the Nike Well Collective Miami pacers are LNMC ladies, which means this isn't just a collaboration; it's who we are.

One of the most powerful aspects is fostering a sense of collective empowerment -- reminding women that they're not alone in their concerns and that we can push for safer spaces together. Whether it's through gear designed with safety in mind or simply amplifying the importance of running in groups, the Nike Well-Collective plays a role in making sure this conversation isn’t just heard but acted upon.

On The Most Rewarding Part of Running

The most rewarding part of my work with LNMC, both as a runner and as a creative, has been witnessing the transformation that happens when people, especially women, realize they belong. As a creative, I've had the privilege of capturing that energy in a way that people can feel. I see the friendships, the laughter and the community it creates – a movement that reminds us that when we run together and believe in each other, we become unstoppable.

Looking ahead, I hope to create experiences that bring us closer together -- potentially panel discussions, pop-ups that bridge the gap between running, or anything surrounding wellness and culture. I want the club to have spaces where women don’t just come to run but to heal, grow and find their voice.

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