OutRunnerz founder Ken Ogg and lead runner Josh Martin share the keys to the growing success of Auckland’s LGBTQ+ running club, where fitness meets friendship
When Ken Ogg first joined LGBTQ+ sports clubs, he was searching for something he felt had been missing in his youth: a sense of belonging. After competing in swimming at the 2024 Rainbow Games, he found deep community, friendship and connection — and it inspired him to create something of his own.
That idea became OutRunnerz, an Auckland-based running and walking club for LGBTQ+ people and allies. What began with around 10 runners has grown to about 70 regular participants, creating a welcoming space where fitness is only one part of the story.
Ken saw a clear gap in Auckland’s queer community. For many LGBTQ+ people, traditional sport can feel intimidating or exclusionary, particularly for those who had difficult experiences with sport when they were younger. Running and walking, he says, offer a more accessible way in.
For anyone nervous about arriving alone, Ken’s message is simple: “just show up.” New members are welcomed personally, introduced to others and supported through their first session. Whether people choose to walk, jog or run, the club is self-paced and non-competitive, with the focus on personal achievement rather than keeping up.
Ken believes the club’s growth has been driven by that sense of safety and support. Members feel seen from day one, which has helped fuel word-of-mouth recommendations. He also credits strong social media work from lead runner Ning, who has helped grow the club’s online presence.
OutRunnerz recently reached 1,000 followers on Instagram, a milestone Ken says validates the direction of the club. While the number is exciting, his focus remains on the people who turn up week after week and form the heart of the community.
As OutRunnerz has expanded, its structure has evolved too. A leadership group, known as the lead runnerz, now helps manage day-to-day operations, including venue logistics, while protecting the club’s values and culture. The group includes Josh, Ralph, Ning, Kristoff, Chris and Ken, whose combined skills have helped shape OutRunnerz into what it is today.
The club has shifted venues several times but has now settled at Lighthouse Café, which Ken says has been “amazing” in hosting the community.
OutRunnerz has also changed Ken’s own life. Beyond fitness, it has reshaped his identity and career direction. Building a network of friendships, including connections that now extend beyond the club, helped him realise that leadership and community-building were a natural fit for the fitness industry.
His proudest moment so far was leading OutRunnerz in the Pride Parade 2026. Seeing first-time participants embraced by the crowd created what he describes as an unforgettable sense of joy, empowerment and belonging.
For lead runner Josh Martin, OutRunnerz has also become something deeply meaningful. A proud takatāpui Māori who has lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for most of his life, Josh works in community engagement and philanthropy, supporting organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau. He has spent more than 20 years working alongside rangatahi and Rainbow communities and has served in advisory and leadership roles, including as Co-Chair of Auckland Council’s Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel.
Josh was first drawn back towards sport through the 2024 Rainbow Games, after being invited to volunteer by organiser Teresa Platt. He was inspired by the kaupapa of a sporting event created for Rainbow communities and left feeling more connected and motivated to try sport himself.
At the Games’ opening ceremony, he briefly met Ken. Later that year, after being invited by his cousin to take part in the Auckland Half Marathon, Josh began training and discovered a love of running, along with the physical and mental strength required for long-distance events.
When OutRunnerz held its first run in January 2025, Josh was invited along by his friend Kristoff.
His first experience was daunting.
“Bloody scary! I almost talked myself out of going, couldn’t talk to anyone kind of nervous.”
But meeting Ning, who greeted him with warmth and kindness, helped him feel safe. Josh soon realised many others felt nervous too. The conversations and coffee after the run quickly became his favourite part — and remain so a year and a half later.
“OutRunnerz has given me so much. It has led to new friendships, a love of running and a community I now feel proud to help lead.”
Looking ahead, Ken hopes OutRunnerz will become a cornerstone of Auckland’s LGBTQ+ community, offering a social alternative to nightlife while helping bridge the gap between queer communities and mainstream sport. He wants to see the club represented at major events such as marathons, increasing visibility and connection.
This year, OutRunnerz is partnering with Rainbow Games for the Auckland Marathon in early November. The club also continues to meet weekly, with runs and walks every Wednesday at 6.45pm at Silo Park and Saturdays at 7.30am at Lighthouse Café.
