Kellen Matthews-Thompson, founder of the Recovery Run Club, has turned to running not just for personal healing but as a means to uplift others experiencing similar struggles.
On a recent Saturday morning, Kellen was seen lacing up his sneakers at 9 a.m. for a run on the Ben Franklin Bridge, joined by around 15 dedicated individuals.
His Recovery Run Club, established in 2024, welcomes participants of all ages and paces to connect through their diverse journeys of recovery.
Kellen emphasizes the club’s inclusive approach: “It could be eating disorders, domestic violence, whatever kind of recovery you’re in. You’re welcome to come out and be around like-minded people that have faced some sort of adversity and are using fitness and the running community to overcome their issues.”
Living in Germantown with his wife Cass and their young daughter, Kellen, along with Cass who is also a content creator, share their experiences through social media. Cass focuses on lifestyle content as a host for the Flyers, while Kellen documents his journey of fitness, running, and recovery from addiction.
For 14 years, Kellen struggled with substance abuse disorder.
His journey began with prescription painkillers before escalating to IV opioids in his late 20s. It wasn’t until 2017 that he sought help at a treatment facility in Houston and attended a pivotal group therapy session about the benefits of running on mental health.
The concept called the “runner’s high,” introduced by a doctor during a session, made a significant impact on Kellen, as it connected the dots between endorphins and the relief he had long sought through substances.
“Something clicked in my brain,” Kellen recalls, “When he explained running endorphins and opioids in the same sentence.”
Motivated by this new understanding, Kellen took his first step the next morning, running a mile in his driveway just 25 days after beginning his recovery.
Though the experience was challenging, he found a deep passion for running, describing it as a way to achieve immediate results and emotional satisfaction.
“It gave me that feeling of accomplishment and people being proud of you,” he shares, reflecting on how running merged with his recovery journey.
Kellen’s dedication led him to significant achievements, including winning the ultramarathon titled the Loopy Looper 24-hour race at Cooper River Park, where he set a new course record in 2022.
In 2024, he took his awareness campaign for addiction a step further by participating in a marathon each month, completing races like the New York City Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon.
“The first year I was in recovery, I ran a mile every day,” he says, illustrating his commitment to the sport.
As his life flourished, Kellen became a highly skilled runner, with times like 2:43 in the marathon and a proud title of a 100-mile finisher.
His inspiration to create the Recovery Run Club came from wanting to share his experience.
With locations spanning the city, from the Ben Franklin Bridge to Valley Green Inn, the club aims to nurture a supportive environment for people in early recovery.
Typically attracting between 10 to 40 participants, Kellen sets a 5K loop so that all can join at a comfortable pace.
“I decided I wanted to get reinvolved with the community and give back a little bit,” he expresses, revealing his desire to foster a sense of belonging for others facing similar battles.
For Kellen Matthews-Thompson, running is more than a personal journey; it has become a way to connect and inspire those seeking hope in the face of adversity, serving as a testament to the transformative power of fitness and community.
As the Recovery Run Club continues to grow, Kellen’s vision is clear: to help more people find solace and strength through running as he did.
image source from：phillymag
