Newport Run Club & Jake Luna: How a Simple Idea Turned Into a Community Movement
We cruised the harbor with Jake Luna, founder of Newport Run Club, to unpack how one unexpected decision changed his life—and sparked a growing community. Jake shares his personal journey of moving to Newport Beach, navigating the challenge of making new friends, and how running—something he never enjoyed—became the catalyst for connection.
What began as a casual conversation at happy hour quickly turned into running with a few friends, and within weeks, the launch of Newport Run Club. In this conversation, Jake reflects on how the club evolved from a small group into a true movement, welcoming everyone from young professionals to parents running with their kids, grandparents, and high school students.
More than fitness, Newport Run Club has become a place where strangers show up and leave feeling like they belong.
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Welcome back to another episode of Jeffy Chats. Today we're joined by someone who has redefined what it means to make connection here in Newport Beach. At just 29 years old, Jake Luna has lived several lives. Born and raised with ambition and intention, his path is taking him from being a CPA to working at Deote to venture work. But it's what he's built outside of his 9-to-5 that's capturing the tension of an entire generation.
Jake is the founder of Newport Run Club, a group that started with just a casual meetup of a couple friends and has evolved into a movement with nearly 30,000 people. It also receives 1.5 million monthly impressions.
So, let's start off by saying happy new year. It's 2026. Can't believe it's already here. We're glad to have you as our first guest in January, talking all things health and wellness.
So, before we get into Newport Run Club, let's take it back a little bit. Let's find out more about Jake — where did you grow up? Where did you go to high school? If you went to college, where did you go? Give us some of that background.
Jake:
Yeah. Well, happy new year, ladies. Happy New Year. Yeah, so my story began in West Covina, California, where I was born in 1996, which kind of feels like yesterday.
And through that, I grew up in the area, went to a private high school — Bishop Amat High School — where I throughout my childhood just played a lot of sports. I did the whole array of sports: basketball, baseball, soccer, whatever.
I eventually ended up specializing and getting really good at soccer where at the age of 12 I began my club career and that just became my life.
A lot of traveling — trips to Temecula, Lancaster, the whole array. Played club soccer my entire life from like age 10, went to Bishop Amat High School, and then from there at 18, hung up the cleats and went to Cal Poly Pomona.
Then yeah, that’s kind of where my career went. I went to Cal Poly, majored in accounting, which was quite interesting to say the least. Eventually got my CPA and kind of took my career from there post-college.
Can you tell us a little bit about life now — your professional life since college? Catch us up.
Jake: Yeah. So from college to now — graduating Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in accounting — at first it sounded like a very safe career.
And I don’t know, being 18 to 21, you don’t really know what you want to do with your life. For me I just knew I wanted some sort of specialization in business and I felt like accounting was the language of business. So it sounded like a really good idea on paper.
So through that process you go through the recruiting cycle and I ended up getting a job in downtown LA originally at an accounting firm known as RSM.
Through that, it was quite a rigorous career. You have busy seasons working 60, 70, 80 hours a week. You have a minimum standard of available hours to meet.
But the fun part they don’t tell you is it’s always a busy season in public accounting because we were working with clients and companies in the middle market in a wide array of sectors. There’s no shortage of work.
Throughout that experience was a lot of self-discovery — learning what I really wanted to do, the areas I wanted to specialize in, where I wanted to take my career. That’s when I moved on to work at Deote.
So I started to specialize in investment management, got a job at Deote here in Costa Mesa, and that’s when I really started to buckle down in my career. For a brief moment I thought that was going to be my lifetime career — the people I was around were very driven.
To work at a place like Deote you have to have thick skin. You have to work really long hours and develop stamina.
And it worked really well for me because my stamina growing up was all sports. My idea of a challenge was putting my body through a very tough sequence until I literally can’t anymore.
When that transitioned to post-college life in an accounting firm, the same element existed but it was more mental. That’s when I started to have this change of heart — or identity crisis — where I looked at what that career path was taking me the next 5, 6, 10 years and it didn’t feel like me.
The resume stamp and experience — I’ll always take with me. But I just didn’t feel like that was Jake. That’s not me in my core.
I wanted flexibility in life — to go to a birthday party, to not be unable to take time off during certain times a year. Being an outdoors person, it was really hard to constrict myself.
Then COVID hit and things changed a little bit. Since then I recently left Deote. I now work in the venture space at a company called AngelList. It’s fully remote, a lot of flexibility, and it’s allowed me to discover how businesses are run at the early stage.
Throughout this whole process, that’s when Newport Run Club was being born. Because of the identity crisis, my love for entrepreneurship, my love for business, wanting to be an athlete, being outdoors — I wanted to find purpose and community and accidentally started Newport Run Club.
So let’s get into that. How did it happen, with whom, and when did it happen?
Jake: This happened at Deote — two and a half, three years ago. We were at a happy hour at Sevilla, I believe it was called, at Triangle Square.
One thing that’s really fun about Deote — we work really hard but the happy hours go harder. You wake up and there’s a tab open and you just let the night take you away.
But it was meaningful. I remember at the time I had just moved to Newport maybe four or five years ago. Outside of my friends from college, I couldn’t really find anyone else — I couldn’t find my community.
My whole life I always came to Newport, Huntington — always at the beach or in the mountains. Newport felt like a home away from home. So when I officially made it my home, it was odd. I’m 23, 24 years old, there are so many young people around me, but I couldn’t make friends.
You can have random conversations at Helmsman or Malarky’s on a Friday or Saturday night, but outside of that it was: sign up for group fitness, force your way in, or cross your fingers you’ll meet a friend who introduces you to a friend group.
At this happy hour I was talking to a coworker — her name is Talia. She was a legitimate runner. Athletic girl, talented at her job, really good.
And I just had this idea of wanting to start a little community. I saw run clubs pop up in LA and San Diego. At the time they were small — there wasn’t a crazy run club boom.
It seemed appealing: spend one day a week to just go run with your friends.
Were you running prior to this?
Jake: Actually no. The funny part — I hated running.
As a soccer player you’re running with intention and a purpose. You’re chasing a ball. To run without that element was boring. I’d lose my mind. Too fast, too slow — I would try running the boardwalk but I never understood the appeal.
My self-diagnosed ADD kicks in — trying to listen to music or a podcast — but I just can’t. It was such a challenge.
But seeing run clubs pop up, I thought: maybe if I convince a couple friends to run with me, it’ll be the catalyst that lets me spend one day a week away from my job. Put my phone away, not look at Slack or Skype, decompress. I don’t have to pay for it. Free vitamin C.
So I brought it up at happy hour: “I’m thinking about starting a run club — would you be interested?” And she said she was already running on Wednesdays with her boyfriend or roommate and another friend, and said I should come join.
So myself and my roommate Matt — we worked at Deote and lived together — decided to join a random Wednesday night. December of 2022. It’s dark, cold, not nice out.
We ran, and it ended up being the easiest three-mile run I ever did. I was trying to figure out why — it was because we could have a conversation the whole time. My mind was stimulated and I could run.
That was the aha moment. I loved it. I wanted to do it every week. I said we should call ourselves Newport Run Club.
That night I went home, made an Instagram. The next run the following Wednesday, I brought a disposable camera and took pictures of my friends. The creative kid in me came out.
We went to Wild Taco post-run — burrito and a beer — because at that time of year at Deote we had a per diem, and it was getting busy season.
How many ran on that? Same number?
Jake: About five to seven people. After the first run I told a couple friends: “We’re starting a run club, come join on Wednesday.” Close friends came out.
No bigger aspirations. No board meeting. No five-year plan. No hats. It was a disposable camera, an idea, and some friends.
Fast forward two and a half, three years later — it’s grown into a movement that’s impacted thousands of lives.
Was there a specific moment you realized it was bigger than your friends?
Jake: Probably the second or third run.
I made the Instagram, and I had a friend Nicole make a logo. I got drawn to it — this was my creative escape. My life at the time was studying for CPA, working, no in-between. No time for girlfriends, no time for life, no time for every birthday party or every Duffy boat Sunday with mimosas.
The CPA exam is rigorous — four exams, low pass rates. Once you pass one, you have an 18-month window to pass the rest. Once you start, you have to go.
The catalyst moment was our second or third run where one random person showed up who no one knew. In my mind: who are you, why are you here, who do you know?
He was visiting from the Bay, saw one of the reels, and in our bio it said every Wednesday 6:30 p.m. We’ve never changed that. Rain or shine. Even if it’s dark — we started in the dark.
I think our first official Newport Run Club run was December 22nd or 23rd of 2022.
He said, “Is this Newport Run Club?” And I was like, “What do you mean is this Newport Run Club?” Of course I guess it is.
That’s when a different identity crisis began — holy crap, people are drawn to this.
Then more people came: two, three, five, ten, fifteen, twenty. I started bringing a speaker so it’s not painfully silent. Strangers were walking out from their homes on the peninsula to meet at the pier. That’s how the snowball started.
What’s the demographic like?
Jake: Singles, all ages. Core is probably 25 to 35. Parents bring kids who ride scooters. Older folks come and walk. High school kids from Costa Mesa High or Newport Harbor show up in track gear and sometimes lead the pack.
Is it competitive?
Jake: Full spectrum. On Wednesdays we have a three-mile crew and a five-mile “Wedge crew.” Three-mile is casual: Newport Pier to Balboa Pier and back. Five-mile runs to the Wedge and back — more competitive, usually training for something.
Then walkers — we call them the Hot Girl Walk Committee. Sometimes 30 or 40 people just walking together with coffee or drinks to stay warm.
If someone comes for the first time, what should they expect?
Jake: It’s intimidating. On peak summer nights it’s 250 to 500 people.
There was one point I walked back from my car and I was intimidated. So I can only imagine for someone new.
But everyone is welcoming because if you show up to Newport Run Club, you’re there to meet people. It’s hard to be closed off there.
You can go up to anyone and say, “Hi, I’m new here,” and they’ll welcome you.
Do they know you’re the leader?
Jake: It’s evident. I like to stay incognito, because Newport Run Club isn’t me — it’s me, but it’s not.
You said a microphone — do you start it off?
Jake: We have a sign and volunteers. If you’re new, you come there, they give you the rundown.
Then I hop on the mic — or Jacob, who helps me — and get people excited. “Raise your hand if it’s your first time.” Sometimes an army of hands goes up. We cheer people on, play music, keep energy high.
Do you take a speaker on the run?
Jake: Just at the start. We don’t want to be loud past homes.
How does the community feel about the runners?
Jake: They embrace us. A couple of people get upset sometimes because the boardwalk can be congested, but overall, it’s been embraced.
And Wednesday at 6:30 is late — not much going on. We created the thing to do.
How does it end?
Jake: After the run, we provide hydration — free, then post-run happy hour at Helmsman every Wednesday. Wing deals, beer deals. It’s easy to make friends because the ice is broken. You ran together. You can ask, “How was your run today?”
That’s the engine: we gave people a platform to interact.
Have you found your people?
Jake: Yeah. People have found significant others. Best friends. I don’t know about marriages or babies yet, but I better officiate that wedding.
People tell me moving stories: this community helped them get out of drug addiction, helped them not be suicidal, helped them decide to stay in Newport instead of moving.
Newport is desirable, but building a village without community is hard. We gave people that village.
People drive from Palm Springs, San Bernardino, Corona, Riverside, Lake Elsinore, San Diego, LA. People have traveled from overseas, from Europe, visiting Newport and wanted to experience Newport Run Club.
Do you take it on tour?
Jake: We stay true to our core — this is the engine.
You have about 30,000 people and 1.5 million impressions. What makes yours different?
Jake: We empower our members. Any good business is the value you provide to the end user. For us, we never ask for anything. We don’t charge membership, fees, dues. No signups. Nothing. We say: this is where you meet, all you have to do is take the first step for yourself, and we take care of the rest.
People feel like they aren’t being taken advantage of. There isn’t a catch — subscribe, download an app, whatever.
We highlight members strategically and organically. We don’t push brands. We built a brand around our members. Newport Run Club isn’t me — I may guide the ship, but the engine is the members.
Tell us about partnerships.
Jake: Partnerships were daunting. I didn’t want to be a Lululemon Run Club or a Hoka Run Club — I wanted to be Newport Run Club.
The first year, a lot was bootstrapped on my credit card. But early partners were meaningful.
Helmsman was an early partner. I reached out on Instagram — daunting — but got a follow back. I asked if we could work out something like 99-cent wings. They said yes.
Wednesday nights didn’t have much going on in restaurants. Helmsman was excited — first 10 people, now 500.
We also partnered with Freelance Coffee Project. People asked for a Saturday run, since Wednesdays can be hard. So we did every other Saturday.
I asked if we could meet there, and if they could do batch brew coffee. They said yes. That exploded too.
Then Dory Deli — we launched a Friday morning series. Dory is legendary and open early.
Friday mornings are every alternating Friday at 6:30 a.m., same route as Wednesdays.
Beyond local, we partnered with Rivian. They were inspired by the movement. Every partnership is members first. I’ve declined checks to promote products I don’t believe in.
Rivian wanted to build community and wellness. So we partnered to bring ice baths to a Saturday run. Members could test drive. They brought water and opened the frunk. We had a DJ plug into the Rivian. That’s how we view partnership — add value to members.
Lululemon has been big. I’m an ambassador now — funny because I hated running. They give members discounts, and we’re launching a collaborative athletic wear line soon — corporate approved.
We partnered with Diplo — that was crazy. It was pouring rain, dark, cold. I got a text from his manager: “Diplo wants to come Wednesday.” I thought it wasn’t real.
They asked me not to promote it. Later, his manager said Diplo was going to post it because he was worried no one would show up in the rain. I said, okay, buckle up.
Diplo tagged Newport Run Club. It went crazy. Fortunately, it was raining, so the boardwalk was empty — it worked out.
It was a torrential downpour. People were waiting in the rain at 6:15. We cranked music. People came from everywhere. Someone brought a disco ball light. Then he walked up, got on the mic, everyone went crazy, and the run started — a sea of people in the rain.
Our photographer Everett got insane shots — raindrops, flash going off. It looked unreal.
Someone ran with a handheld JBL speaker. Diplo ran like a 7:15 pace. After, I tried to get him to Helmsman but he had to play an expo in Anaheim.
You’ve also done events at Leo House lawn and other places?
Jake: Yeah, Leo House. Also Paws Newport Beach, Mold Dunes, Stag Bar, Beachball, Lululemon Fashion Island, PAC, Chicken Shop.
These are after-runs or Friday events — just to get people together.
Chicken Shop is great. No seed oils. Everything cooked fresh. The owner Fred has an amazing story. I’d consider him family.
On the surface, why would a run club partner with a chicken shop? But we all eat and want good food. I believe in his product. So we build community around things I actually do, eat, and shop at.
We don’t want a buyout with logos everywhere. We want Newport Run Club plus a partner — not a full takeover.
Where do you see the future of Newport Run Club going?
Jake: I’ve thought about this a lot. If anyone steps foot on the boardwalk or anywhere in Newport and goes for a run, they’re somehow affiliated with Newport Run Club.
We want to be an incubator for community and empower movement. Give people a place to meet, shop, explore. If you move here from out of town or overseas, Newport Run Club can help you discover the community on your two feet.
In 10 or 15 years, I don’t expect to be on the steps with the mic yelling “let’s go,” but I want it to live on as “it’s what we do on Wednesdays.” Whether you start at the pier, the Wedge, or Back Bay — you run on Wednesday because that’s what Newport Run Club does.
That’s why we build around members — not forcing it — because members are the brand.
So I have to ask — what’s your go-to running song?
Jake: Two songs. One is a weird soft classical one — almost Beethoven — because it calms me. It reminds me of studying for the CPA and mental endurance.
The other is Modest Mouse, “Float On.” When the chorus hits, I forget I’m running.
Growing up, my dad would pick me up from school and take me to the Wedge when the waves were pumping. That song was always playing. I remember passing Jack in the Box, hearing it — I was like seven or eight. I’d get called to the office: “Jake, your dad’s here.” I’d think doctor appointment, but he’d say, “We’re going to the Wedge.” Good memory.
If you could run alongside anyone in the world?
Jake: Rick Rubin. He doesn’t play an instrument, doesn’t paint — but he helps artists find themselves in their craft.
I feel like I did that in my own version. I didn’t like running. I still don’t love running alone. But I helped other people find themselves through the community. I’d love to learn from someone who empowers others.
And our favorite question — if you had a Duffy boat, what would you name it?
Jake: If Duffy wants to sponsor this — just kidding. I don’t have one. But I’d call it “The Slowrunner.”
We love hearing these names. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Jake: Thank you for having me. I’m honored. Definitely didn’t expect to be on a podcast two and a half, three years ago. I just had a disposable camera and an Instagram account.
It’s amazing what you’ve created. We’re so thankful.
Jake: Thank you. We’re looking forward to going out ourselves. Thank you so much.