When Jess Ehrbar and Andrew D'Lugos moved to Chico in 2022, they brought with them a love for running, cycling, and the outdoors that had connected them to communities everywhere they'd lived—from Virginia to Florida to Arizona. Chico's trails and welcoming spirit captured their hearts immediately, but something felt missing. While the town had plenty of activity groups, there wasn't quite the casual, consistent running community they sought.

So they created one. Starting with simple Wednesday afternoon meetups in Upper Park, Jess and Andrew began building what would become something much bigger than they imagined. The turning point came during a Butte Environmental Council park cleanup. Andrew met Manny Escalante, a Chico State alum who shared his passion for kinesiology, running, and biking. A few texts later, the trio met at Horseshoe Lake in November 2022 for the first official Wednesday Night Run.

From that single run, a community grew organically through group texts and word of mouth. Some nights brought just two runners, others drew ten, but the atmosphere remained welcoming, consistent, and genuinely fun. The group's chemistry was undeniable, attracting runners hungry for miles and meaningful connections.

In May 2024, everything shifted into higher gear when Logan Ziegenmeyer joined the mix. Within weeks, the core group—Jess, Andrew, Logan, and Manny—gathered to envision something bigger. That brainstorming session birthed the Bidwell Run Club name, established their social media presence and Strava group, and solidified their commitment to keeping runs free, inclusive, and community-driven. Almost immediately, their Wednesday nights began drawing 15 to 20 runners regularly.

The momentum was infectious. What started as a single weekly run naturally expanded to meet the community's appetite for more connection. Tuesday became Ladies Run day, Friday brought Men's Speed Work, and weekends featured long runs that showcased Chico's most beautiful trails. Members began organizing their workouts and enthusiastically inviting others, creating an authentic grassroots movement that put trails first while embracing runners of every speed and ability.

BRC's growth reflected something more profound than just a running club—it embodied a give-back spirit that extended to both community and environmental stewardship, values that resonated throughout Chico's active community.

When Jess and Andrew's next life chapter called them back to Virginia in late spring 2025, they knew BRC was in capable hands. Melissa George and Billy Harkness, both early members who had consistently embodied the club's welcoming spirit and community-building ethos, stepped into leadership roles with the same passion that had driven the club's founding.

Today, BRC continues growing toward its vision of becoming Chico's premier running club while staying true to its roots. The future holds exciting possibilities: deeper community partnerships, expanded giving through scholarships and race entry support, volunteer initiatives that give back to the trails we love, and plans to host trail races that will bring runners from across the region to experience what makes Chico special.