Dead Runners Society

About Us: Founded in 1991 as an electronic mailing list, DRS pre-dates widespread use of the World Wide Web. It is an early example of a virtual community formed around a non-professional topic. Many early DRS members were computer professionals, librarians, academics and researchers. Membership broadened with the growing use of email in the mid-1990s. Annual World Conferences have been held since 1993.

DRS members are known as "deads." Online discussion includes everything from meditation to marathon training—and even topics only marginally related to running. Deads also meet regularly at races. Deads range from beginning runners to elite athletes. One dead holds the world record for the one mile run for females age 70 and older. Other deads are coaches, race directors, writers and editors of running magazines, and developers of running-related software. Deads say the civilized level of discourse and strong sense of community sets DRS apart from other mailing lists.
Translation: Seize the Way (or Seize the Roadway)

The Dead Runners Society's name derives from the film Dead Poets Society which had as its motto Carpe Diem—Seize The Day. The Dead Runners Society amended this to Carpe Viam—Seize the Way (or Seize the Roadway). The group's distinctive T-shirts and singlets continue to attract attention at races.

The list founder is Chris Conn, a runner and software engineer in Austin, Texas. The Dead Runners Society is incorporated in Texas as a non-profit organization.