Flutter Runners Club

Each weekend, members of the MedStar Health GME Running Club—or the “flutter runners” as they’ve dubbed themselves—don their red t-shirts and set out on one of the many trails around D.C.

Two years ago, Dr. Perez de Acha (PGY 4; Internal Medicine) started the Running Club in response to the demands of residency. “Residency is challenging in any specialty. I truly believe that well-being can only be achieved when there is balance between mind, soul, and body. We often neglect the body due to our busy schedules, so I wanted to create at least one option for those who need an excuse to exercise weekly!” she explains.

What started as only three members—one of whom was Dr. Perez de Acha’s husband, who, she says, was there to “bulk up the picture!”— is now 30 members strong, ensuring there is always at least a small group on each run.

Running Club members currently include residents, fellows, and attendings from both the inpatient and outpatient sides and represent ophthalmology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pulmonary critical care, primary care, internal medicine, and other specialties.

Not only is the weekly run an opportunity to meet colleagues and get moving, it’s also a chance to explore new areas of the DMV. Each week, members cast their vote over WhatsApp for the location of the next run. Some of the group’s favorite trails include the Anacostia Trail, Sligo Creek Trail, those along the Tidal Basin and National Mall, and in Rock Creek Park.

Dr. Perez de Acha says, “the more the merrier” and encourages anyone who is interested to contact her or any member of the club and to join in on an upcoming run…“cold weather does not stop the ‘flutter runners!’”