© Adem Tenah
WE’LL RUN : the story of a club that goes beyond running
In January 2024, Wylliam Bannis established WE’LL RUN, a running club that transcends the purely athletic aspect. Situated at the intersection of a passion for running and strong human values, this project quickly became a gathering place and source of inspiration. On April 18, at the heart of the 20th arrondissement of Paris, runners from various backgrounds gather under the WE’LL RUN banner for a training evening themed around love and kindness. Each step is an opportunity to strengthen bonds, support each other, and embark on a collective adventure. More than just a club, this association embodies a true community, open to all, where running becomes a pretext for sharing, helping each other, and surpassing oneself together. Discover the unique spirit of this club unlike any other, a space where every kilometer counts and every encounter enriches the experience.
7:30pm, on a humid Tuesday evening in April, a rain had just fallen earlier at the Parisian stadium of the 20th arrondissement. Now, the sky no longer weeps. It’s even starting to get warm: it’s time for a warm moment courtesy of WE’LL RUN, a contraction of “We Will Run” and “Wylliam.” With about ten runners present at the entrance of the Maryse Hilsz sports center, the evening takes on a different hue. Wylliam, the founder of this running club, greets every new arrival with a broad smile. He hands out t-shirts emblazoned with the association’s logo, a symbol of the collective spirit.
They head to the stadium for the start of the action. Quickly, other group members arrive until there are about forty gathered in a circle for the beginning of the training. Wylliam, at the center, begins the active warm-up with a “How’s the team?” and the club’s rallying cry: “WE’LL…” he initiates, “RUN” the group responds in unison. He briefly introduces the association “which is soon celebrating its 1 and a half year anniversary” and encourages everyone to applaud for attending tonight. Motivated, the small troupe continues with various physical exercises: jumps, tipping, squats… Then, in pairs, they proceed with a proprioception exercise, where each one tries to touch their partner’s shoulder, and the chair position, back to back.
In this club, there are no fixed training end times; time is not of the essence. During the break, runners hydrate and recover before the session awaiting them: 6 x 400 meters with 4-minute recovery. After last Tuesday’s VMA test session, they are once again in for a challenge. Wylliam explains about EF, “fundamental endurance for those unfamiliar with it,” and suggests using these three track laps “to work on pace, foot positioning, and possibly get to know each other.” Then, “the goal will be to maintain the rhythm at each 400 m, or go faster and faster. It’s going to be intense.” The tone is set with this loaded schedule that promises to be anything but restful.
| Strength in unity
The final lap completed, the joy is palpable. “I was drawing energy from the group!” exclaims Eddy at the end of his 1,000 m session. This invaluable support, he needs it, and he’s not alone. Antonin knew Wylliam before the association was created, and initially, he came for the sport, but now it’s for the team spirit. He found other runners with whom they “challenge each other,” all while remaining in kindness. Tito is part of this, attending only on Tuesdays for “running full throttle.” It’s been a year since he and Léon come to unwind at “this social gathering.” Antonin explains: “Like you might meet friends at a bar, we meet on the track.” Vincent, a friend of Wyll, echoes these sentiments: “It’s primarily about a lot of love, strong bonds,” and a solid core.
In the midst of struggle, Djiby, met during the Blocks League competition where WE’LL RUN participates, crossed the finish line of the Paris Marathon. Just like the two team regulars, Vincent and Antonin, energized by the sight of supporters gathered under the association’s banner. “When I was running and saw them, I was happy,” recounts Vincent. Marc, the “uncle” of the family, met Wylliam through his daughter Annaëlle, also an actress. Injured, he once again shares an interval training session with her on April 21. A precious moment between father and daughter. Eden, for whom Annaëlle “forced herself a bit to come” since it’s her last day, was “there at the beginning.” Finisher of a 10 km thanks to Wyll, she, for whom running is initially a chore, fully believes in her friend’s project. A project in full swing thanks to word of mouth and the impact of social networks.
| More than just a club from the start
From the very beginning, there were 6 gathered to do the adidas 10K Paris in 2023. Already connected through a hiking club, Wyll initiated this first project. His passion for running, which he practices daily, led him to create his own club whose goal is “to bring together as many people as possible around common values, including running.” Today, Wylliam can be proud of the movement’s scope. Inclusive, multicultural, human, “it’s a form of recognition” to receive collective support from his cheer team during races, like the Paris Marathon, which he spontaneously joined to assist a friend.
“Each club has its essence, its footprint, and its story,” according to Eden. The added value of this collective is Wylliam, this very humble, unassuming coach, yet accessible: “He will never leave anyone alone. When the group stretches too far, Wyll hands over the reins to regulars and stays with the last ones. He’s the only coach I know who wants to see his students succeed more than he does.” Beyond the quality of the group leader, it is the values conveyed by the association, social diversity, and sharing that make it a unique adventure, well beyond the sporting experience. Past 10 pm, the night has fallen, the lights go out in the stadium. A clear sign that “people are having a good time since they stay until the end,” concludes Wylliam. The lights-out heralds the end of yet another successful evening. The appointment is set “for the Easy Run on Thursday.” In two days, they will run 8 km, enough to get them ready for the relays scheduled for next Tuesday.
WE’LL RUN is more than just a running club; it embodies a genuine community where humanity and passion for running meet to forge lasting bonds. Driven by values of inclusion, kindness, and solidarity, this club, now an essential part of the 20th arrondissement of Paris, extends far beyond sports. Every training is an opportunity to surpass oneself together, strengthen friendships, and share unforgettable moments. More than a group of runners, it’s a family, a team that, as Wylliam affirms, never leaves anyone behind. Through his project, he’s created a unique space where every step counts, every encounter enriches the experience. And as the club continues to grow, it’s above all the team spirit and love for running that make WE’LL RUN an unparalleled collective adventure.
