The concept of run clubs finishing up at bakeries has been popular for a while now, but a recent half marathon in New York City recently redefined the concept.

In mid-September around 100 runners filled the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan for the NYC Bakery Run, which included pit stops at nearly a dozen bakeries along the way.

The 21km (13.1 mile) course took the runners past eight bakeries where they could fuel up on sandwiches, cupcakes, croissants and pies.

The Bakery Run was touted as being the first of its kind, and was put on by media company TIPSTER. More than 17,000 people applied to take part in the event, with just 100 runners selected.

TIPSTER founder Simon Evers said in a statement that the event came as a new generation of bakers is redefining the city’s baking culture.

“The NYC Bakery Run celebrates their craft and pairs it with running, another quintessential daily ritual for many New Yorkers, and the interest is overwhelming,” Simon said according to TimeOut.

The NYC Bakery Run follows in the footsteps of the Bun Run in Denmark, which see runners travel through Copenhagen while stopping at 10 of the city’s top bakeries to sample the fastelavnsboller (cream-filled buns) during the Fastelavn celebration.

Here in Australia, run clubs have taken a slightly different approach. Following the formation of clubs like Croissant Run Club, Unofficial Run club and Pastry Yourself Run Club, the run clubs take part in a free 5-7km group run before finishing at some of Sydney’s best bakeries including Baker Bleu and LouLou Boulangerie.

The initiative has since spread to other cities, with Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast residents in Queensland joining the Unfit Run Club. Melbourne is also home to a Croissant Run Club chapter.

Plans are already underway for the 2026 NYC Bakery Run.