Flames Barcelona: Igniting a New Running Culture with Catalan Spirit
The story of Flames Barcelona begins in 2016 at the Nike+ Running Club Barcelona. It was there that two runners, Aitor and Fabien, met and developed a friendship. Inspired by their head pacer, Oualid, who introduced them to the global running crew culture, they realized that no such crew existed in Spain at the time. Determined to bring that spirit to their city, they founded Flames Barcelona in May 2018, offering an alternative to traditional clubs and creating a community built on their own terms.
The philosophy of founders Aitor and Fabien is built on three core goals: to never stop having fun while running, to contribute something new to a running scene they felt was lacking innovation, and to give back to the community in a socially meaningful way. Their identity is a proud reflection of their home. The name "Flames" was chosen for its ease of pronunciation in both Catalan and English, while their dragon logo is a direct reference to the dragon from the Catalan tradition of Sant Jordi (Saint George). Their crew colors, yellow and red, are the colors of Catalonia, the region they call home.
The community of Flames Barcelona is a group of people bound by running who intend to keep enjoying each other's company. They are not driven by money or attention; their focus is on building genuine connections and making a positive impact. Their primary form of collaboration is their commitment to giving back, ensuring that any influence or resources they gain are channeled directly into socially meaningful projects within their local community.
The culture of Flames Barcelona is social, energetic, and focused on finding joy in the run. They believe there is more to running than just standard races and have built their activities around this idea. They meet for a consistent weekly run every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. from the Arc de Triomf, an iconic city landmark. These runs are the heartbeat of the crew, providing a regular opportunity for members to connect, explore the city, and have fun together.
Flames Barcelona extends a warm invitation to any runner in the city seeking a community that values fun and friendship above all else. Their weekly runs are the perfect opportunity to experience their unique energy and strong local spirit. Interested runners are encouraged to connect with them via their official social media channels for the latest information.
Flames Barcelona was a pioneer in bringing the modern crew spirit to the city, and they are now part of a diverse and vibrant running scene. The Catalan capital is also home to other unique groups, such as the Fast Breakfast Club, an early-morning crew designed for busy people who love to start their day with a run before work. Together, these crews offer a variety of options for every type of runner.
The vibrant, seaside city of Barcelona is captivating. As the proud capital of Catalonia, the city has a unique and fierce cultural identity that is reflected in crews like Flames. Barcelona is a world-renowned destination, famous for its stunning architecture by Gaudí, its bustling street life, and its beautiful location between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a spectacular place to run.
From their central meeting point at the Arc de Triomf, Flames Barcelona has access to some of the city's best running routes. Their runs can take them through the nearby Parc de la Ciutadella, a beautiful green oasis in the heart of the city, or down to the famous beachfront of La Barceloneta, where they can run along the Mediterranean. Other routes can explore the historic, winding streets of the Gothic Quarter or the grand, grid-like avenues of the Eixample district.
Barcelona hosts a calendar of world-class running events that are a major focus for the city's dedicated runners. The premier long-distance event is the Zurich Marató Barcelona, a massive marathon held in the spring that takes runners on a tour of the city's most iconic sights. Another major race is the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona, a hugely popular half-marathon known for its flat and incredibly fast course, held in February.
