Dalton's Running Revolution: From Soccer Fields to Soal Running Club

What if the thing that changed your life started with a stranger posting their run on Instagram? That's exactly how Soal Running Club came to be — and now it's changing the culture of wellness in Dalton, one Saturday morning at a time. We sat down with founders Geovanni (Geo) Villa and Jorge (Jorgey) Hurtado to talk about how two childhood soccer rivals reconnected through running, why they opened the club to everyone regardless of pace, and what makes Dalton feel like home even after you leave.HIGHLIGHTSGeo and Jorgey met as kids playing for the East Ridge Express, a travel soccer team out of Chattanooga, and later became rivals at Northwest and Southeast high schools.A college ankle injury ended Geo's soccer career but ultimately pushed him toward running — and eventually, reconnecting with Jorgey.The Bill Gregory race was Jorgey's first eye-opener to competitive running — he thought his soccer fitness would carry him and learned quickly that running is its own beast.Soal started in 2023 with just a handful of friends and a group chat; by mid-2025 they were regularly drawing 25–35 runners on Saturday mornings.The club runs Wednesdays at Dalton High School (track night, 6 PM) and Saturdays at rotating local coffee shops including LoFi, Highland Bake Shop, Casa de Café, and Common Ground.Beginners are not just welcome — they're the whole point. Soal runs in "laps," with a 3-mile option designed to make showing up feel possible.Training in summer heat is actually a secret weapon: when race season hits in the fall, your body is already built for endurance.Rocky Face Ridge is Jorgey's favorite trail; the Dalton State (Raisin Woods) trails are a humbling hill workout; Hag Mill is a community staple.Local businesses have been key sponsors, and Soal literally wears that support — they call themselves "a running billboard" for Dalton.One club member is heading to San Francisco to run his first marathon. Geo and Jorgey are just getting started.CHAPTERS2:08 – Soccer Roots Reunite4:30 – High School Rivalries8:51 – From Soccer to Running13:06 – Finding the Running Hook14:25 – Beginner Friendly Mission17:34 – Weekly Runs and Coffee20:23 – Club Growth and Training23:54 – Races and Big Wins27:22 – Why Dalton Feels Home28:50 – College Drives Home29:56 – Dalton Pulls You Back30:28 – Creating Local Positivity31:39 – Dalton Food Favorites33:17 – Downtown Growth Vibes34:42 – How to Join SOAL35:11 – Support and Celebration36:51 – Upcoming Races Calendar38:22 – Beginner Running Tips41:02 – Best Local Trails45:10 – Wildlife and Trail Resources46:57 – Local Sponsors Shoutout48:41 – Final Thanks and WrapRESOURCESSOAL Running Club on Instagram: @soalrunningclubSOAL Running Club on Facebook: Soal Running ClubSOAL Running Club website:https://runsignup.com/MemberOrg/SoalRunningClubBelieve Greater Dalton – Discover Dalton Hike & Bike Pass: believegreaterdalton.orgFollow the show:Instagram: @behere.daltonFacebook: Here MagazineLinkedIn: Here Local MediaThanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!