It’s a Saturday morning, and you’re walking along beautiful Dallas Road in Victoria, B.C., enjoying a pastry and coffee, when the brief moment of silence is interrupted by a crew of runners. With a boombox strapped to the run pacer’s shoulder, the crew on your left is guaranteed to be the Notorious Runners.
Launched in July with a vision to bring strangers together through a shared love of fitness, wellness and community, Notorious Saturdays offers casual, intermediate and competitive runners an inclusive space to disconnect from their devices and authentically connect with new friends.
Each session starts your weekend off on the right foot with an out-and-back 5km route beginning at 470 Belleville St., next to Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, followed by a post-run beverage at Good Earth Coffee House on Superior Sreet.
At the helm of the club is Brett Pfliger, a personal trainer at Studio 4 Athletics, Emiliano Lorenzo, owner of Take Noats, a nutritious and delicious overnight oats brand for early risers and hard workers, and Travis Devonport, an ultra-marathon runner and sports content specialist.
In its first six months, the run club has taken to the streets of Victoria every Saturday at 9 a.m., welcoming a diverse group of runners – some locals and many others from across Canada and as far away as Seattle, Mexico, Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic.
Notorious Run Club provides more than a platform for runners — it encourages participants to be authentically themselves, fostering collaboration and the sharing of ideas that highlight their interests and passions.
Recently, the Saturday morning crew put this vision into action with club’s Día de Muertos social run. In collaboration with Red Bull, Take Noats and Outway Socks, the Nov. 2 event celebrated the lives of the deceased through remembrance.
Drawing on Lorenzo’s cultural roots, the run leader addressed a crowd of 35 runners: “As you may know, Día de Muertos means celebrating those who have passed away, but ironically, it’s about celebrating life. Without death, life is meaningless. Today, we run for those who have passed. Today, we run to celebrate our life and our health.”
For the Mexican-Canadian entrepreneur, Lorenzo’s health journey began at a young age, influenced by parents with differing philosophies about health and nutrition.
“My mother’s passion for natural remedies and my father’s belief in conventional medicine shaped our family’s philosophy. But it was my own journey that led to Take Noats,” he says. “From a home recipe to an unexpected nudge from a friend and a timely motivational video, I realized the best time to start was now. What began as a simple staple turned into a growing business — and the story is still unfolding.”
Emiliano Lorenzo, Owner of Take Noats and Co-Creator of Notorious Run Club, serves up samples of overnight oats after a warm summer run.
For Devonport, his love of long-distance running came at a pivotal moment as he sought a new way to channel the competitive drive that had shaped his past.
“After nearly a decade of varsity and provincial rugby, I found myself at a crossroads, searching for a new outlet. Running began as a casual hobby but transformed into a passion after my first marathon. Since then, I’ve completed multiple marathons and ultramarathons across the west coast, covering nearly 2,000 kilometres — and I’m hooked!”
A few notable races include the Vancouver, Victoria and Honolulu marathons as well as 60km and 100km backyard ultra races set in B.C.’s rugged interior. With his eyes set on the 2025 Vancouver Island Race Series, Devonport has set a new goal to run at least one marathon a year in a new country, with plans set on the Eugene Marathon in Oregon and Lisbon marathon in Portugal.
“When I talk about my love for running, I find people tend to look at me with a mix of puzzlement and intrigue. For me, travel is a luxury and what better way to admire a new destination than by running through the streets where so many have stepped before you,” Devonport says. “I think having the freedom and ability to immerse myself in a new environment is truly special. This is the mindset I bring back to Notorious Runners. What better way to admire the place you call home then by exploring every corner.”
Travis Devonport, Co-Creator of Notorious Run Club congratulates one of his fellow Notorious runners after completing the out and back route.
For Pfliger, his fitness journey stems from a passion for balance and discipline, values he believes can lead to a life of fulfillment.
Pfliger’s one-on-one approach to personal training focuses on mental health and performance for individuals of all body types and backgrounds.
“In April, I juggled high-stress project management, marathon training, dieting and completing my ACE Fitness certification — all in one month. It showed me the power of discipline and focus, proving that incredible things are achievable when you block out distractions and commit to your goals. With a renewed passion for helping others, I’m dedicating my skills to improving health and lifestyles,” Pfliger says.
Brett Pfliger, personal trainer with Earn It Athletics and Co-Creator of Notorious Run Club leads a morning stretch before the Saturday morning run begins.
Looking ahead, the Notorious trio have ambitious goals, including Tuesday evening long runs, educational workshops and community collaborations with charities and local organizations.
In the meantime, if you find yourself in B.C.’s beautiful capital and want to explore the City of Victoria from a different perspective, the Notorious Runners invite you to join their Saturday morning social run each week at 9 a.m., starting at 470 Belleville St.
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