Meet Owen Akhibi Herrera, who created a run club in New York to make friends, 12 people joined his first run; later it became a $640,000 business

Owen Akhibi Herrera is the founder of social fitness club Peak and Pace. He started a running club in New York City in 2024. The reason was simple. He wanted to make friends after moving from London. Notably, the first run gained the attention of 12 people. After two years, his idea grew into a business. It reportedly generated more than $640,000 in revenue in 2025.

He started Peak and Pace while working in algorithmic trading sales at J.P. Morgan. His goal was to build a community, which could unite people, they could meet each other and spend time without relying on the city's nightlife scene.

The regular sessions were free from the beginning. Herrera found a way to make money. He did that by organising social events for the growing community.


The social fitness club generated more than $640,000 in revenue in 2025, according to CNBC Make It. Most of the revenue came from ticketed parties and other events. According to Herrera, the business reported an overall profit margin of around 15%.

ALSO READ: Kendra Scott started a jewellery business with $500 in 2002; 14 years later, her company had reached a $1 billion valuation

How did a social fitness club become a business?

Herrera used to promote the club and attract participation through daily posting of social media platforms. Around 15 people used to show up by the fifth running session. This gave him the opportunity to organise events beyond the regular runs.

He arranged a party at a Manhattan bar and charged around $20 from each participant. The group grew and the parties became larger. It featured DJs and food vendors. Tickets would generally cost around $15 and $25.

It was later expanded to activities like hiking and ski trips.

ALSO READ: Meet Joe Popelas, who started an AI ebook business with just $500; two years later, it was valued at more than $1 million

How many people attended the events?

More than 30,000 people attended its events in 2025, Herrera told CNBC Make It.

In March 2026, he moved to San Francisco. The aim was to take a role as head of partnerships at AI robotics lab Grounded Superintelligence. Meanwhile, operations at Peak and Pace continued operating in New York with a team of nine contractors.

Herrera visits New York to check on the business. He also told CNBC Make It that his experience has also changed how he approaches relationships. He says that they taught him the importance of patience and understanding other people's perspectives.