He co-founded the Miami Marathon before wellness was cool — now, Frankie Ruiz is leading a movement that’s redefining what Miami stands for.
As Nike’s Running Coach of the Year and the force behind dozens of run clubs across South Florida, Frankie shares how he helped transform Miami from a party city to a fitness capital. From shutting down streets to bringing 20,000 runners to town, this is the story behind the movement.
He discusses:
-How the Miami Marathon went from 3,000 runners to 67% tourism -Why Brickell Run Club exploded into the thousands -The rise of run clubs in Hialeah, Homestead, and Little Havana -Why he believes Miami Beach will be America’s next wellness capital -The power of parks, community, and showing up -What High Rocks is — and how it’s changing fitness
⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Intro to Frankie Ruiz: Co-founder of the Miami Marathon
1:00 – The early days of building the marathon
2:00 – Miami was a ghost town back then
3:00 – How it became a destination race
4:00 – From nightlife to marathons — full circle moments
5:00 – Clubs like Space embracing the running community
6:00 – Birth of Miami’s run culture
7:00 – 60+ run clubs growing all over South Florida
8:00 – Why run clubs are now social hubs
9:00 – Brickell Run Club and scaling the movement
10:00 – Miami’s lack of parks and narrow sidewalks
11:00 – Making the most of Riverwalk and Baywalk
12:00 – Top 3 wellness tips for visitors to Miami
13:00 – Why Frankie loves the Everglades
14:00 – Getting lost in nature to find yourself
15:00 – Miami Beach’s rebranding into a wellness city
16:00 – Fitness facilities, scenery, and lifestyle shift
17:00 – The rise of High Rocks in Miami Beach
18:00 – March becoming the "Miami Run Week"
19:00 – What High Rocks actually is (explained)
20:00 – From gym meets race — the rise of hybrid fitness
21:00 – Miami airport runway 5K and night runs
22:00 – Running inside MIA and executive airstrips
23:00 – Only time civilians can run on a runway
24:00 – Wildest run: 20 miles through the Everglades
25:00 – Crocodiles, bull sharks & getting lost pre-wedding
26:00 – Frankie’s craziest ultrarun story
27:00 – Top 3 fitness events in Miami
28:00 – Miami Marathon, Wodapalooza, Corporate Run
29:00 – Office party meets fitness revolution
30:00 – Why companies back run events
31:00 – Corporate runs as bonding and branding
32:00 – Coaching with Nike and coaching legacy
33:00 – Why Frankie chose to coach high school runners
34:00 – Balancing coaching, business, and family
35:00 – Gratitude to his dad and past mentors
36:00 – Why coaching brings the most joy
37:00 – Has he run an ultramarathon? (Not yet)
38:00 – Local political involvement and civic pride
39:00 – Clean parks, walkways, and future city planning
40:00 – The power of community-led change
41:00 – What is ‘plogging’ and why it matters
42:00 – Earth Day cleanups and Miami’s trash problem
43:00 – Why Frankie loves this city and its people
44:00 – Praising Emi Guerra and giving back
45:00 – Outro & legacy talk
Connect with me on my instagram:
🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/
Connect with Frankie Ruiz:
🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankieruiz
Listen to my podcasts on: 🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837
🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv
Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:
🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/
🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/
🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/
🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/
🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/
🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/
🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/
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