I think as a whole, we overthink all of this..
Run because you (I, we) all love to run, yet I feel this too often gets forgotten. I've ran with groups a few times, but kinda found it to be pretentious and too clicky in a sense, like missing the point of why we all gathered in the first place. I enjoy running with a couple locals, but mostly, I look forward to my weekend solo long run most weekends.
Go around your local work space or your friend group, unless your circle are fellow runners or ex collegiate runners, the idea of running a 5k to a non runner is insane. If you're a regular runner, you likely see a 5k as speed work. Running is an odd endeavor and really isn't for everybody, and unfortunately most of our society, is grossly out of shape, hence why a lunch run is a foreign concept to many.
Since only a few people in my life are runners, I for better or worse (likely worse) I come to letsrun to check the pulse of fellow runners.