Why I Run: Social Miles Club Sparks a Love Connection
Tristen Berry & Lily Moore Fast Facts
Ages: Both are 28 years old.
Wedding Date: Oct. 19, 2025
Careers: Tristen, Schuber Mitchell Homes Online Sales Manager, and Lily, Joplin Greenhouse Companies In-House Marketing Manager/PRO100 Real Estate Agent.
Current Hometown: Tristen and Lily live in Carthage, Missouri.
Hobbies: Tristen enjoys scuba diving, hunting, running, basketball, Crossfit and HyRox; Lily’s interests include running, lifting weights, training in HyRox classes, gardening, creative photography, snowboarding, traveling and spending time with her 5-year-old nephew.
Quotable: “One very special part of our story that stems from Social Miles Club is Tristen and I met on the Frisco Trail during a run on a Monday night. He proposed this past June on the Frisco Trail on a Monday night.”
Join the Club: Tristen and Lily invite anyone interested in joining Social Miles Club. The group meets Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at the Crowder College Webb City campus parking lot on the Frisco Trail. Stay in the loop via Facebook or Instagram because the day/time will change in November when daylight saving time ends.
As part of the Social Miles Club that focuses on an active lifestyle through walking, running or biking, Tristen Berry and Lily Moore never imagined that joining this group would impact their future.
The couple will get married Oct. 19, and Tristen says, “This is significant (joining Social Miles Club) to me because we met doing something we both love – running. It’s the perfect combination of pursuing a hobby, while also being given the gift of a relationship that makes the miles even more meaningful.
“Social Miles Club gave us common ground, but it also opened the door to a relationship built on friendship, encouragement and an active lifestyle. That’s why Social Miles Club will always hold a special place in my heart. Every run with Social Miles Club reminds me not only of the community, but also where our love story began.”
Lily says, “It’s special to Tristen and me that we met through Social Miles Club because we connected in a way that we believe is genuinely part of God’s plan. We couldn’t have written a more perfect story. It will always be special that we met doing something we love to do. Now we love to do it together.
“Now, it’s a reminder of when Tristen asked me to marry him, and I said ‘yes’ to forever. I remember after one of our first dates, the next week at Social Miles Club, we ran together, and I thought to myself, ‘Is this real life?’ The idea of running with my significant other felt like a dream. I’m glad it’s reality.”
While this couple’s story is special, they both are convinced the Social Miles Club is significant for several reasons. Lily says, “We believe it’s important to be active. We also believe the social aspect can be just as important as the physical.
“We meet at a set time and socialize for 15 to 20 minutes, then we get in our miles. Some people run three to five miles, others walk, sometimes families bring bikes and the kiddos will bike, while the parents walk. After we get in our miles, we often socialize for another 15 to 20 minutes.”
Tristen says, “Social Miles Club caters to all people who want to get moving regardless of their fitness level. We call people who come to Social Miles Club ‘S’milers.’ We pride ourselves on the spirit of togetherness.
“I became part of Social Miles Club near the beginning when there were less than five S’milers. One of my good friends (Nick Vacca) invited me. Nick had a vision for Social Miles Club, and I wanted to support it. Ever since, I’ve attended regularly and met so many amazing people.”
“I think Social Miles Club is special because it gives an opportunity to make new friends and connect with like-minded individuals,” Lily says. “What once started as a small group meeting at the Frisco Trail has grown to an average of 60 to 70 people per week meeting to be social, be active and be part of a community.
The social aspects of Social Miles Club are consequential, but this soon-to-be husband and wife believe going for runs is a key component to a person’s well-being, and Lily says, “I enjoy the endorphins you get from running and being active. It’s crucial to overall health, including mental health.
“When I began running in the spring of 2024, I had a lot going on in my life, and I found that I could put my energy into running. It was a form of therapy that allowed my brain to free space and focus more on what was a priority instead of things outside of my control.”
Tristen says, “It’s not just about fitness. It’s about stress relief, clarity and mental strength. Running gives you space to think, reflect and re-set. Running is also important because it helps keep our bodies and minds healthy. It’s an investment in our futures and a way to stay active for years.”
Whether it’s for recreational or competitive reasons, Tristen says, “Running is one of the best options because you can do it anywhere and it’s straightforward yet challenges you in so many ways.”
“All you need is a pair of shoes and the good outdoors to run,” Lily says. “You don’t need to pay for a fancy gym membership. Just lace up your running shoes and make it happen.
“It’s also great because you can run on your own time schedule and find different places to run or stick to the same route. I believe the benefits of running both physically and mentally are great and anyone can get fit no matter how healthy you happen to be.”
“The friendships it has brought me in the last 10 years I will cherish for a lifetime,” Tristen says. “I want to continue sharing the gift of Social Miles Club and the gift of running with Lily and someday when kids come into play, I’d love to share it with them.”
“Tristen often jokes that we are the 5K holiday family, and we’ll be waking up the kids early on Thanksgiving to participate in the Turkey Trot,” Lily says. “Tristen and I are both excited to lead by example and set a solid foundation for our future children to prioritize an active lifestyle by creating quality time with physical activities.”
Editor’s note: Read more about the Social Miles Club in the March 2025 issue of Show Me The Ozarks Magazine.
