Meet Nicole Linn | Founder of Below Average Running

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Linn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, how does your business help the community?
Below Average Running has positively impacted the running community. It has given “back of the pack” runners a space where they belong. When someone calls you slow youre able to beat them to the punchline by saying “well im below average what did you expect?” BAR continues to show runners that there is space for them in the running community even though they aren’t the 8 minute milers.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Below Average Running was started off as a joke. I went to social media to document my half marathon training back in 2020 but I didnt want people to call me slow so I figured if I labeled it as “below average running” then I beat everyone to it. Well that proceeded to blow up and I found alot of people also saying they were “below average runners.”

Since then BAR has become a full blown business, I have obtained a trademark, I have produced merchandise, I have a website, I have ambassadors around the country, I have founded BAR run club & is now in 9 (almost 10) cities across the country, and so much more.

Typing it out like that is the easy part because doing it as a whole different story. I am not a web designer so it was watching youtube videos, reading articles, asking the BAR communtity for help on making a website. I had no idea how to establish an LLC and I asked everyone and anyone for help & guidance. I had no idea how to go about ordering merchandise, listing on the website, accepting payments online, and doing all the packaging and shipping myself.

I am a strong believer that asking for help & helping others only helps you to reach new levels within not only your professional career but also personal.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
my favorite running routes in miami include, running along ocean drive on miami beach. i know its a typical answer but there is something so special about running early in the morning on the beach when its quiet, not crowded, and you can really take in all the art deco, the water, etc.

post run you can catch me at salty donut for glazed donut & vanilla iced latte. I love an iced coffee and donut after a weekend run. if its an evening run, I love going to morelia’s paletas for dessert. I really just love sweets.

other than food & routes – the running communtity is so massive in miami. There are run clubs every single day & I love going to them to socialize with friends and to meet new people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am a firm believer that no one does it alone. Ive only been able to succeed due to the support of indiduvals below.

my mom, joan linn who has sat and helped me cricut so many shirts as prototypes and who has scarficed so much of her time to help the company grow.

my dad, Patrick Linn who has never missed one of my races. (17 half marathon & 3 marathons). My dad is at the start, middle and finish line of every single one. Sometimes even walking with me for the last 9 miles of a marathon. My dad who also used to own a business has given me so much insight & help with all the formalities of owning a company.

Also to mention that my parents attend almost every single BAR Run Club Miami since it started 2 years ago. they lead the walking group.

My right hand woman in the business, Ellie Hanson aka packmule, who helps with all marketing materials, helps run our socials/website, and who always runs alongside me for every race to help support me and get content.

All the BAR ambassadors across the country who dedicate hours of their time to help grow the BAR community and leading run clubs in their cities.

My family & friends who are constantly showing up to my races, our run club, and always sharing about BAR whether thats word of mouth, commenting on every single post, sharing socials and purchasing & wearing merchandise.

Lastly, the entire BAR community across the world because without every single one of them BAR never would have been able to grow to what it is today.

Website: https://belowaveragerunning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belowaveragerunning/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belowaveragerunning/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@belowaveragerunning?si=BFsCPly30wXnW4MW

Other: run club – @barrunclub https://www.instagram.com/barrunclub/?hl=en
tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@nicole_linn
threads – https://www.threads.net/@belowaveragerunning

If we can mention where we have run clubs
Miami, FL
Dallas, TX
Atlanta, GA
Savannah, GA
Las Vegas, NV
Yakima, WA
Denver, CO
Raleigh, NC
Cleveland, OH
Detroit, MI (in june)