A little sweat
a lot of community
We run every week and mix in walks, hikes, paddles, and more
always free, always local.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
OUTSIDE’S BETTER WITH FRIENDS — AND IT’S EVEN BETTER WITH YOU!
BECAUSE OUTSIDE’S BETTER WITH FRIENDS.
Knoxville Movement Collective (KMC) is Knoxville’s outdoor social club, a free nonprofit ORGANIZATION built around movement, connection, and adventure. From weekly runs to bike rides, hikes, and paddles, we bring people together to get moving and make the outdoors the best part of your week.
Our mission is to bring free outdoor social events to more people in Knoxville, creating a healthier, more active culture across the city.
WE'RE A WOMEN-FOUNDED NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON MOVEMENT, GETTING OUTSIDE, AND LIVING FULLY IN KNOXVILLE.
WE'RE A WOMEN-FOUNDED NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON MOVEMENT, GETTING OUTSIDE, AND LIVING FULLY IN KNOXVILLE.
SEE US ON
SOCIALS
Our PURPOSE
Knoxville is home, and giving back matters to us.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Keep Knoxville Beautiful as our official charity partner.
As a nonprofit ourselves, we believe in sharing what we receive — a portion of the funds we raise is dedicated to supporting KKB’s mission of keeping our city clean and green.
Beyond financial support, we team up for volunteer events throughout the year, combining our community with theirs to make a bigger impact for Knoxville.
Knoxville Movement Collective has been featured in local news outlets and community publications, sharing our story and the movement we’re building. We’re honored to have our mission recognized and to inspire more people to get outside and get connected.
IN THE NEWS
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![Knoxville Movement Collective group photo after a community run in Knoxville, TN — featured in Knox News for free outdoor events including running, cycling, paddling, and hiking.]()
Knox News Features Knoxville Movement Collective
Knox News highlighted KMC as one of Knoxville’s best ways to meet people and get moving, featuring our free outdoor meetups and growing community.
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![A young woman standing outdoors near a large tree, with a lake and green trees in the background on a sunny day.]()
Knoxville Voyager Spotlights Knoxville Movement Collective
Knoxville Voyager sat down with Founder Ashley Johnston to talk about the inspiration behind KMC, the growth of our community, and what’s next for Knoxville’s outdoor social club.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Hey there, I’m Ashley!
I grew up in Georgia just north of Atlanta, but Knoxville has been home since 2019. I’m proud to be a UTK alum and even prouder of the community I’ve found here. Movement has always been part of my life, but halfway through college I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that changed my mobility and shifted the way I moved through my life in a big way. It forced me to slow down and rethink what taking care of myself really looked like.
Even when things felt uncertain, being outside always grounded me. Sunshine, fresh air, quiet trails, the river, wildlife. Those small moments of movement in nature helped me rebuild my strength and confidence over time. Eventually, running became a routine that made me feel like myself again. When Maria and I would run together, I kept wishing Knoxville had a truly all-paces space where anyone could show up exactly as they are and feel welcome.
That thought is what sparked Knoxville Movement Collective. I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful it can be to get outside, move at your own pace, and feel part of something. Knoxville has incredible outdoor spaces, and creating a community where people can explore them, try new things, and connect with others has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I’m also lucky to have amazing friends who believe in this mission and help bring KMC to life every day!
Whether it’s with KMC or not, I hope you get outside today.
See you out there,
