Club 348 Running Club in Amman… The Community That Changed Runners’ Mornings

الساعة السادسة والنصف صباحًا من كل يوم الثلاثاء وخميس. شوارع عمّان لا تزال هادئة تمامًا، تلفها نسمات الصباح الباردة، وأرصفتها لا تزال خالية قبل أن تستيقظ المدينة لزحامها المعتاد وأصوات محركاتها. فجأة، ينكسر هذا السكون بصوت إيقاعي مألوف لمئات الخطوات المتسارعة التي تضرب على أسفلت شوارع العاصمة بتناغم. أكثر من مائتي عداء وعداءة، بأعمار وخلفيات ومستويات لياقة متعددة، يتدفقون معًا ليحولوا حياً نائماً إلى نهر نابض بالحياة والطاقة الإيجابية. هذا ليس سباقًا رسميًا ولا حدثًا تنافسيًا للمحترفين؛ إنه مجرد صباح اعتيادي لنادي 348 للجري (348 Run Club)، المجتمع الرياضي الذي أعاد صياغة مفهوم الاستيقاظ المبكر في العاصمة الأردنية، وحوّل رياضة فردية قاسية مملة في نظر البعض إلى احتفال جماعي يضج بالحركة وينبض بالحياة.

What is the 348 Running Club?

The 348 Running Club was founded in 2024, and in record time—just a few months—it quickly became the fastest-growing and most active running community in Amman. Unlike traditional clubs, it doesn’t stick to a single, repetitive running route that bores participants; instead, it moves flexibly and energetically through the capital’s neighborhoods; one moment you’ll find the group in the quiet residential neighborhoods of Abdoun, the next in the lively streets of Sweifieh, all the way to the intersections of the Seventh Circle or the upscale streets of Dabouq. This variety breaks the routine and makes every run a new experience of exploring the city.

The training schedule is fixed and suitable for everyone: Tuesdays and Thursdays at exactly 6:45 a.m., and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Running distances typically range from 4 to 6 kilometers depending on the chosen route, but the most important feature is absolute flexibility; each runner runs at their own pace without any pressure to keep up with more experienced runners or to set records to show off on Strava or other Apps The club welcomes beginners taking their first steps, and Arabic and English are used seamlessly, with between 100 and 300 participants in each run. The club has not limited itself to morning runs; it has also clearly made its mark on the community through active participation in major official events such as Marathon The Full Moon Marathon, the Dead Sea Marathon, and the Amman Promenade Race.

Zain's Story: From New York to Amman

Behind this inspiring initiative we see today stands the founder of the team, Zain Awad. Zain’s journey with running did not begin on the winding hills of Amman, but rather took off amid the bustling skyscrapers and crowded streets of New York City. There, far from home, Zain discovered the magic of running—not as a grueling individual sport requiring intense physical effort, but as a communal experience that provides endless motivation and breaks down the barriers of isolation. In New York, she saw how a group of strangers could gather at dawn, run together, and become a harmonious community despite their different professional and academic backgrounds.

When Zain packed her bags and returned to settle in Amman, she brought that vision with her. She looked at her city and realized she needed to replicate that enriching experience; she sought to create a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming space that would give people a real opportunity to try this sport without feeling intimidated or afraid of running alone on the streets. She wanted to build a bridge connecting people through a shared interest—a place where weary morning runs would gradually turn into genuine friendships and lasting relationships that would redefine social interaction in the city. If you’re wondering How to Start Running from Scratch، فقد كانت رؤية زين هي توفير البيئة المجتمعية المرحبة بالجميع والمساحة التي تشعر الجميع بالتشجيع بشكل عملي. عندما يأتي ذلك اليوم الذي تقرر فيه خوض تجربة الركض مع فريق 348، ستجد المئات يمدون لك يد العون ليأخذوا بيدك من الكيلومتر الاول الى سباق الماراثون الكامل.

What makes 348 different?

What truly sets Club 348 apart and makes it an exceptional case in the Jordanian sports scene is that running, as important as it is, actually takes a back seat to community building. The club isn’t just an asphalt track you run down, panting, glancing at your watch, waiting for the hour when you’ll return home; rather, it’s a shared space where everyone feels a sense of belonging, appreciation, and welcome from the moment they arrive—a place that always leaves you looking forward to the next workout.

The secret to this incredible success lies in the people themselves, says Zain Awad—in that infectious energy that spreads among the runners, and in the shared smiles and constant encouragement at the finish line. This spirit is particularly evident in the spontaneous social gatherings at local cafes after each run, where the place is packed with hundreds of runners chatting and laughing as they sip their coffee and share stories of their morning achievements. This ingenious balance between regular exercise and deep community bonds is the secret formula that drives hundreds to set their alarms and leave their beds before dawn. At 348, you’re not just another number in a race—you’re a member of a running family that grows and expands every morning.

My vision for Club 348 has always been to build a welcoming and inclusive community—a space where anyone, regardless of their running level or experience, feels encouraged to come and be part of a supportive community.

Zain Awad, Founder of Club 348 Running Club

How can you join the next run?

Joining Team 348 is completely free and very simple—there are no financial barriers that could prevent you from participating. All you have to do is fill out a quick online form and sign a standard liability waiver to ensure everyone’s safety. To stay updated on meeting locations, starting points (which change periodically), and ongoing updates, follow their official and active Instagram page. (@348runclub) and interact with it. Set your alarm for Tuesdays or Thursdays so you’ll be there before 6:45 a.m., or on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Don’t hesitate—there’s a whole community waiting to welcome you.

Your first step starts here

the streets of Amman are calling you, and the dawn breeze has never felt so warm and welcoming, despite its chill. You don’t need to be in top physical shape to start your journey, nor do you need expensive professional gear; all you need is the courage to get out of bed early and lace up your running shoes to hit the streets. Prepare well; lay out your workout clothes the night before your run to motivate you when you wake up, and ask yourself: Will you be among the 300 runners at dawn on the next training day?