Are running clubs barking mad? A hot dog run is happening in Shanghai

From raves in abandoned hospitals to running club sessions fuelled by baked goods and frozen treats, Shanghai’s events calendar is never not full of surprises.

Run your buns off at the city’s first hot dog run and be rewarded with dinner and a drink. 🌭🍺

Has run club culture gone barking mad? Probably. Frankly, we’re into it though — especially with weather this nice now. 

The themed run follows Junto Run Club’s usual schedule, which is every Wednesday at 7 PM. Sign ups are now open for the special ‘Hot Dog Run’ on September 16, 2026.

The ‘wurst’ running club in Shanghai (if self-seriousness is the yardstick), Junto Run Club was started by community manager Sean Brady and cares less about Strava stats than sweating with friends and having a laugh. 

Bun in a million, the run is a rare chance to savour some of Shanghai’s best hot dogs. Grumpy Dog vacated its brick-and-mortar store on Xiangyang Road earlier this year, leaving a hot dog-shaped hole in our lives — all the more reason to relish its comeback. Loved for its handcrafted — never factory-made — buns and sausages, the brand will be making a special delivery to Junto that evening.

An American sportswear brand that made its name going against the grain, HOKA has genuine Shanghai ties: the brand chose the city for its first directly operated store in the world in 2021. For this run, participants can take a pair of their shoes for a spin, testing out HOKA sneakers on the pavement before circling back to Junto, Jing’an's most dog-friendly craft beer taproom.

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All photos are courtesy of the respective establishments. This article may be referenced, but is not to be replicated without prior consent.