Founded in Sydney in 2026, the Assyrian Run Club reflects the growing popularity of social running clubs across Australia while offering something uniquely Assyrian: a space where people of all ages and fitness levels can build friendships, strengthen their cultural identity and promote healthier lifestyles. Since launching, the club has attracted hundreds of participants and built a rapidly growing online community through its WhatsApp group and Instagram page.
For generations, Assyrian community life has centred around churches, cultural organisations, sporting clubs and family gatherings. The Assyrian Run Club represents a new way for younger generations to connect, combining fitness with opportunities to strengthen friendships, celebrate their heritage and build a stronger sense of community.
The idea for the club began with founder David Babanour, who first envisioned an Assyrian run club in 2024 after noticing similar initiatives emerging within other cultural communities: "Run clubs were becoming really popular, and I kept seeing other communities creating their own," Babanour told the Assyria Post. "I remember thinking that our community would really enjoy something like this because it can be difficult to meet like-minded Assyrians outside of family functions and community events."
At the time, however, Babanour had only recently returned to running himself and was focused on training for his first marathon. Although he continued discussing the idea with friends, the concept remained on hold until a New Year's Eve tradition unexpectedly brought it to life.
On 31 December 2025, Babanour and a group of friends completed their annual 10-kilometre run to finish the year, inviting a wider group of people to join them. Twelve runners participated before gathering afterwards for coffee: "It wasn't just the run that people enjoyed," he recalled. "It was sitting down afterwards, having a coffee, laughing and getting to know each other. Everyone agreed we needed to do it again."
Following the Assyrian New Year celebrations, another run was organised over the Easter long weekend. Interest quickly spread throughout the community, and what began as an informal gathering soon developed into the pioneering initiative, supported by a growing WhatsApp community and Instagram page.
Since launching, the club has attracted hundreds of participants, with weekly runs regularly bringing together dozens of runners and walkers. Its largest event to date, a community fun run followed by a barbecue, welcomed around 80 attendees.
The club's weekly runs take participants through some of Sydney's parks and outdoor spaces, providing an opportunity to enjoy the city's scenery while exercising in a welcoming and social environment.
For Babanour, the success of the club is not measured only by kilometres run or fitness milestones, but by the relationships formed along the way: "The most rewarding part has been building a community," he said. "It's been amazing meeting new people, making new friends, and seeing others do the same. It's given people a place where they can socialise, connect, and feel like they're part of something."
One of the club's greatest impacts has been encouraging people who may never have considered themselves runners to become more active: "It's always rewarding when someone comes to their first run expecting to only walk, and then over time they're running further, getting faster and showing up every week," Babanour said. "Seeing that progress has been really special."
Beyond building friendships, the club reflects a broader shift towards healthier lifestyles within the Assyrian community, encouraging regular exercise, improving wellbeing, and creating an environment where people can support one another in achieving their fitness goals regardless of their experience.
For many participants, the club has also become a gateway to stronger involvement within the Assyrian community: "I think the more time people spend around other Assyrians, the more likely they are to stay connected to their culture," Babanour said. "Whether that's speaking our language more often, eating our food, dancing, attending church, or simply being more involved in the community, it all reinforces a stronger sense of pride in being Assyrian."
He also believes the club provides an opportunity for Australians from other backgrounds to learn more about Assyrian culture and history.
The club's inclusive approach has been central to its growth. Participants range from experienced runners preparing for major races to first-time walkers, with many joining as much for the coffee afterwards as the run itself: "You don't need to be a serious runner," Babanour explained. "You don't even need to run. Plenty of people come just to walk, have a coffee afterwards and meet new people. Bring your dog, bring your kids in a pram, bring your mum, dad or even your nana if you want. Everyone is welcome."
Looking ahead, Babanour hopes the Assyrian Run Club will establish itself as a permanent fixture within the Australian Assyrian community. Plans are already underway to launch official merchandise and a new club logo, while organisers aim to strengthen partnerships with Assyrian businesses, community organisations and charitable causes.
The club has already collaborated with organisations such as Sanctuary Runners and supported fundraising efforts through the City2Surf for the Cancer Council, with future ambitions to partner with charities connected to the Assyrian community. Babanour also hopes to see more members participating in major running events in the years ahead.
Beyond Sydney, he hopes the initiative will inspire Assyrian communities around the world to establish similar clubs of their own.
With Assyrians living across Australia, Europe, North America and Assyria, the success of the Sydney initiative could provide a blueprint for diaspora communities seeking new ways to engage younger generations. Organisers believe the pioneering initiative can be replicated wherever Assyrians live, creating stronger community connections through fitness, friendship and shared cultural identity: "What started as a simple run with friends has become something much bigger than I ever imagined," Babanour said. "At the end of the day, it's about bringing people together in a positive environment, getting active, meeting new people and building a stronger community."
To get involved, follow the Assyrian Run Club on Instagram.
