Compare · Free community fitness
GRYT vs November Project
Short answer: November Project is a free workout group that meets early on weekday mornings, every week, for stairs, hills and bodyweight work. GRYT runs are free artist-led 5Ks that are held as occasional special events, built around an album and its neighborhood, with a walk/run 5K and a long picnic after. November Project is a weekly training habit. A GRYT run is a special day out. Both are free, both are about showing up for each other.
Last reviewed · October 2026
Side by side
| What | GRYT runs | November Project |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | ||
| What it is | An artist-led community 5K and park hangout. | A free fitness movement that started in Boston "to stay in shape during cold New England months" (November Project). |
| Activity | ||
| Activity | A 5K you can run, jog or walk. | Workouts that mix running, stairs and bodyweight exercises (RunningCrews). Boston's Wednesday session is the Harvard Stadium stairs (November Project Boston). |
| When | ||
| When | Occasional special events on weekend mornings. Run #01 was Sunday, August 2, 2026. | "Always in the morning and always on weekdays" (November Project). |
| Cost | ||
| Cost | Free for runners. | "Nothing. Zero." (November Project). |
| Sign-up | ||
| Sign-up | Join the free list for the next run. | "No sign up forms." Just show up (November Project). Boston asks for a one-time waiver (November Project Boston). |
| Vibe | ||
| Vibe | No clock, no podiums. A hang with a 5K in the middle. | High energy, with hugs and newcomers introduced at the start (Boston Globe). |
| Where | ||
| Where | Takoma Park, Maryland so far. | Many cities. Founded in Boston in 2011 by Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric (Wikipedia). DC meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday (November Project DC). |
How is GRYT different from November Project?
November Project is about the weekly promise. You say you will be there early on Wednesday morning, and the group holds you to it. The workouts are hard on purpose and the community is built through showing up again and again. It is a great fit if you want free, intense training with friendly people.
GRYT starts somewhere else: with an artist and a place. Run Takoma With Love was named for From Takoma With Love, the album by Heno. and Oddisee, and went through the neighborhood that album is about. 248 people signed up and 98 finished, at every pace, walkers included. Then everyone stayed for the picnic. There is no workout to keep up with. The 5K is the excuse to be together. Read how Run Takoma With Love came together.
The two also differ in who does the work. November Project is led by unpaid volunteer co-leaders in each city (RunningCrews). GRYT produces each run, from the park permit and course to the runner experience on the day.
Who each one is best for
Best for
November Project
Best for
GRYT runs
FAQ
How is GRYT different from November Project?
November Project is a free workout group that meets early on weekday mornings, every week, for stairs, hills and bodyweight work. GRYT runs are free artist-led 5K events held one at a time as special events, built around an album and its neighborhood, with a walk/run 5K and a long picnic after. November Project is a weekly training habit. A GRYT run is a special day out.
Are both free?
Yes. November Project says its workouts cost nothing, always. GRYT runs are free for runners.
Do I need to sign up?
November Project says there are no sign-up forms: you just show up, though some cities ask for a one-time waiver. For a GRYT run you join the free list on grytrun.com so you get the date, meeting point and bib details.
Which is better if I am not really a runner?
A GRYT run is the gentler start. It is a 5K you can walk, and nobody is timing you. November Project welcomes all levels too, but the workouts are intense and early, so it suits people who want a hard weekly session.
Is there a November Project in the DC area?
Yes. November Project DC lists free workouts on Mondays at Malcolm X Park, Wednesdays at the Lincoln Memorial steps and Fridays at a rotating location.
Come to the next one
Run #02 is coming back to Takoma Park in December 2026, with the date and route still being confirmed. See the 5K Series, or if you are an artist, bring a run to your city.