Sometimes finding people to run with can be a challenge–especially people who run at your pace. Tyler Taaca, a 24-year-old York University business graduate from Toronto, was tired of the cliques associated with the run club scene and wanted to find a way to help runners with similar training goals connect authentically. Taaca and his friends designed an online platform called SamePace.ca, matching runners through a mix of questions to pair them with the perfect partners.
Like many, Taaca came to running during the pandemic, using it as a way to stay fit when gyms and other public facilities were closed. During that time, he met his best friend and co-founder of SamePace, Sajal Chodha, and found that making new friends was one of the most rewarding elements of the sport. “SamePace represents an alternative to traditional social outings like grabbing dinner or going to a club,” Taaca tells Canadian Running. “It’s a way to meet others in Toronto who share your passion for running.”
The idea
The idea for SamePace started in September 2024 with a simple Google Form. Taaca and Chodha designed a mix of questions about personalities and athletic goals, the setting they were looking for and their fitness levels. Over time, they edited the questions to ensure that every participant would find compatible partners, so no one was getting dropped.
The platform, currently optimized for mobile, assigns runners to small groups of three to five people, prioritizing performance goals and social connection. Runs are scheduled twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, with locations in high-traffic areas like downtown, High Park and Queen’s Park (St. George). Taaca says in the first week, the website has already received 150 signups, which they expect to see grow when the weather warms up and more people get out running.
You might be asking: isn’t this just another run club? What’s the difference? Unlike traditional run clubs, SamePace ensures that every participant runs alongside others at a pace they are comfortable with. “With SamePace, you know you’re going into a setting where people are in the same position as you, running at the same speed,” says Taaca. “It makes the experience more accessible and enjoyable all around.”
When does it launch?
The platform, which launched on Feb. 6, is completely free to use, handling all aspects of matching, co-ordination and logistics. It aims to revive the concept of natural third places—community spaces outside of work and home where people can connect organically. Recognizing the importance of safety, the SamePace structures groups to include at least three members, avoiding one-on-one pairings. Each group is vetted beforehand, assuring compatibility based on the answers given. “All of our runs are hosted in busy, well-lit areas to provide a secure environment,” Taaca says. “Meeting new people is exciting, but it’s important to do so in a safe way.”
To help celebrate the launch of SamePace, Taaca says they are giving out Maurten energy gels to each runner who signs up/shows up for Sunday, Feb. 9. As interest grows, Taaca and his team hope to expand the platform across more areas of Toronto and eventually to other cities.“We just want the connections on the platform to be authentic,” Taaca says. “The more people join, the better the experience becomes. Whether people find lifelong friends or even training partners, that’s exactly what we created this for.”
For now, he says SamePace has no plans to introduce a paywall, as their main focus is to build a strong foundation before scaling the platform to new locations or creating a premium product. If you’re in Toronto or the GTA area, you can get started by visiting samepace.ca and answering a few simple questions about your preferred pace, training goals and maximum distance.
