‘Corriendo Con Corridos’ brings corridos, cultura and community to fitness culture in metro Phoenix

A new kind of run club event is making its way to the Valley this weekend — one that swaps traditional workout playlists for corridos, Mexican banda and live regional Mexican music.

“Corriendo Con Corridos,” hosted by Arizona-based Not Fast, Just Furious Run Club, will take place Friday, May 29 at Glendale Heroes Regional Park. The event combines a community 5K fun run with live corridos, a mobile bar, prizes and a post-run performance by local norteño Grupo Trebol.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with a meet-up and group stretch before runners begin the 5K at 8 P.M. followed by a fiesta set to start at 9 p.m. Corridos will play throughout the route and participants are encouraged to wear botas, cowboy hats and bandanas.

“Corriendo Con Corridos is a fun run that blends wellness, culture and pure good vibes,” organizers wrote on Eventbrite. “Come ready to have fun, connect and mix fitness with fiesta.”

Tickets are $28.52 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The event reflects a growing trend among Latino-led run clubs and fitness communities that are embracing regional Mexican music as part of workout culture and identity.

Artists like Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, Junior H and Natanael Cano have become staples in gym playlists, running edits and TikTok fitness videos, fueled by the rise of corridos tumbados, a genre blending traditional corridos with trap and hip-hop influences.

Publications including EL PAÍS and Spotify Newsroom have documented the genre’s explosive global growth and its increasing connection to youth culture, fashion, and fitness spaces.

According to Spotify’s “La Tierra del Corrido” feature, global corridos consumption increased 413% between 2018 and 2023, with corridos accounting for 77% of all Música Mexicana streams in 2023. 

The heavier bass, fast-paced rhythms and themes of hustle, resilience and ambition have made corridos a natural fit for workout environments, especially among younger Mexican American audiences seeking music that reflects their cultural identity.

Instead of relying solely on EDM or mainstream rap playlists, many Latino runners and gym-goers are now incorporating corridos and banda into workout routines, run club promotions and social media fitness content.

For Not Fast, Just Furious Run Club, the movement is also about community.

“Every week the group gets bigger, the energy gets stronger and the runs just keep getting easier,” the club wrote on Instagram. “It’s more than miles now — it’s consistency, community and showing up for yourself and each other.” 

The Arizona run club first began meeting in January 2025 and has quickly grown through social media and word-of-mouth. Organizers emphasize that the group welcomes runners of all experience levels.

“Whether you’re pulling up to walk or trying to push your limits, you’ve got a spot here,” the club wrote.

The club also makes intentional regrouping stops during runs to ensure participants are never left behind.

“If you’ve been wanting to join and are intimidated because you haven’t run in a while or are scared the distance is too long — come check us out,” organizers shared in an April social media post. “We promise it’s not as bad as it seems.”

Beyond fitness, organizers say the club has also become a space for cultural connection and solidarity within the Latino community, particularly during a period of heightened concern surrounding immigration issues across the United States.

“With everything happening in our country right now surrounding immigration, we decided to dedicate this run to our immigrant families and friends,” the club shared in a TikTok post last June. “We hope to keep building a space where everyone feels safe, seen, and welcome. This is more than a run, it’s community.” 

Friday’s event will feature first-, second- and third-place prizes, $20 Sole Sports coupons for participants, an on-site bartender and a live performance following the run.

Organizers say the event is open to everyone, regardless of fitness level.

“Whether you’re a fitness influencer, professional runner, first timer, or just looking to socialize — you’re always welcome.”

Isabela Gamez is a Tucson-based journalist and graduate of the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism. She served as the UA School of Journalism’s Don Bolles Fellow and previously interned at Voice of America, The Arizona Mirror and Arizona Public Media. Her work has appeared in Tucson Spotlight, Tucson Foodie and other publications. She reports on social justice issues and feature stories across the Southwest.