Lafayette’s Hottest Club: Tour de Lafayette

It might just be my feed, but scrolling social media lately without seeing at least one post about someone’s Strava run, running gear, new running journey or marathon training feels impossible.

Regardless of your social media feed, data shows running participation is increasing. 

According to Runner’s World’s recent article titled “Another Running Boom Is Here—and U.S. Major Marathons Are Expanding to Meet Demand,” marathon participation in Boston, Chicago and New York has recently increased between 9% and 15.1%.

Additionally, market information firm Circana reported a 13% increase in dollar growth for running shoes during the first half of 2026, with the growth impacted by both category dollar and unit sales.

With the incline in running popularity, it only makes sense that the hobby-sport hybrid would lead to a lively local community, especially in Lafayette. 

But this beloved local group isn’t your typical run club. 

Tour de Lafayette: The Journey

What started as a one-woman journey is now a growing community of locals striding toward connection, purpose and movement. 

Aidan Meche is a Lafayette mom, social media manager and the founder of Tour de Lafayette, the chill, approachable, always-free run club designed for everyone.

Aidan started her own running journey in 2021. Inspired by her husband and University of Louisiana at Lafayette track and cross-country alum, Conner Meche, she decided to train for a half marathon. 

By Benjamin R. Massey, Lululemon

To hold herself accountable, she began posting her journey on an Instagram account originally created during the COVID-19 pandemic to showcase outside activity among all the indoor loneliness.

Aidan soon realized that running 13.1 miles alone is not exactly fun, and while there were other run clubs she could have joined for company, she didn’t believe she’d fit in. 

“I never felt like I would fit in with them because I’m not fast,” said Aidan. “I’m the most mid, average-Joe runner out there.”

By 2023, Aidan decided to post on social media about her first public run at Moncus Park, inviting others to join. 

“My two friends showed up, and that was it,” said Aidan. “It was just my two friends.”

But Aidan wasn’t discouraged. As with the running itself, she kept going and kept sharing the invitation to join in on the movement and connection. 

Three years later, Aidan has seen up to 150 people at the Tour de Lafayette weekly meetups.

Yet, the success of the club goes far beyond growing participation.

Sprinting Ahead

Tour de Lafayette’s official partnership with Lululemon is one of the group’s highlights, but the international athletic brand didn’t partner with Aidan because of the current growing numbers in the club or its high engagement on social media.

From Aidan Meche

Aidan shared that Lululemon does not offer ambassador applications but rather seeks out its own partnerships. And Lululemon did exactly that with Aidan when Tour de Lafayette was in its “infancy” and only four people were showing up to scheduled runs. 

After two years of relationship building, Aidan became the official Lululemon Running Ambassador of Lafayette when the brand opened its current Lafayette store at Ambassador Caffery Parkway. 

Aidan’s ambassadorship yields things like the Global Run Day event, where she was able to hand out 50 cards for runners to receive a free Lululemon bottom at the Tri Running store, while a representative educated the group on the right running products. 

So, what did Lululemon see in Aidan all those years ago, before Tour de Lafayette’s growing popularity?

Aiden shared that Lululemon looks for people bettering the community. Even though Aidan’s Tour de Lafayette community hadn’t been developed yet, her philosophy from the beginning was to bring people together on the journey from all runs, jogs and walks of life.

Aiden always had that momentum toward connection, purpose and movement – and Lululemon must have seen it too.

From Instagram, @tourdelafayette

Tour de Lafayette is the run club where, on the surface, people are there for the run, but really, running has become a vessel for something much deeper: a betterment of the community. 

“I find that people are coming for the community aspect and for the connection purposes,” said Aidan. “The run is the bonus. You’re really coming to see your friends. You’ve done nothing but stare at a screen. You can finally go outside and feel the sun on your skin and not talk about work.” 

“Your job is the least interesting thing about you at run club. You’re just yourself again.”

Tour de Lafayette: What to Know

Meetups

• 6 a.m. on Tuesdays at Rêve in River Ranch
  • Stay after for breakfast and coffee with friends
• 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at Tri Running
  • Take a breather after with hydration and music at Tri Running
• 6 a.m. on Fridays at Rêve in River Ranch
  • Stay after for breakfast and coffee with friends

The Details 

• 30 to 40-minute durations to do whatever you can.
• Not mileage-based 
• There is no pressure to run the entire time or run at all. Tour de Lafayette is walking-friendly. 

Staying in Touch

• Aidan posts events and info on Instagram, @tourdelafayette

Also explore a New Iberia mom and fitness pro’s homegrown joy of movement.