Almost two years ago, Daniel Belk and his co-founder, Bailey Ness, embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure with a simple idea: creating running clothing. They both ran in college and thought it would be fun to make some gear. But the pair had yet to find out who their first customers would be. That’s when they started a run club to build an audience around the clothing line idea. Thus, Cool Down was born in Denver with a unique twist centered more on socialization than hardcore running.

The goal was to create a space where everyone felt welcome, whether they wanted to walk, run, or join for the post-run meet-up at a bar. Each run became a social event, with all paces welcome and a community vibe that made everyone feel included. The concept took off, and the Denver club quickly grew to over 500 members.

Seeing this success, Cool Down Running expanded to other cities. It launched in New York, where it grew so fast that the group was kicked off the West Side Highway within four weeks. Next came Austin, which also saw tremendous growth. Today, Cool Down operates in 12 cities, with most locations drawing over 150 people each week, making it the largest run club in the country. What started as an attempt to create a clothing brand became a nationwide running community.

The clothing line, which we officially launched in September 2022, has been a surprising success and was recently picked up by Fleet Feet, a national retailer with 275 stores nationwide. The unexpected success of both the run club and the clothing line has been incredible, filled with amazing stories and a sense of community. 

Cool Down Club is more than just running with members like a newcomer from Mexico using Cool Down to learn English and another who felt comfortable taking his shirt off for the first time after losing an arm in a motorcycle accident. Over 100 couples have met through Cool Down, with weddings and even a “Cool Down baby” on the way. The positivity and camaraderie around the club keep us motivated to grow and be part of this fantastic journey.

Based in Denver, Cool Down has expanded to Nashville, where they meet every Thursday at 6:30 PM at Tony Rose Park, followed by drinks at Tailgate. The Nashville chapter has over 200 attendees weekly, making it one of our most vibrant communities.

Cool Down’s story is a testament to how a simple idea can grow into something much bigger, fostering connections and creating lasting memories. “We’re deeply grateful for the ride and the support of our members, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.” – Daniel Belk.

Follow Cool Down here