Despair in finding a running partner or group, adive sought

I would like to share some thoughts with you all on something that's been a huge problem for me in recent years: workout partners. In my case, specific to running. I could really use your support and advice if you have any to offer on this.

Ever since I moved to the town I'm in now I've had essentially nobody to consistently train and run with. I've tried -- very very hard -- for 3 years now. I've been both a participant and later a mentor for Fleet Feet's running programs. I've joined more than one local "running club", gone to several local races and even volunteered at one. The best I was able to do was have a span of about a year with one guy that would sometimes run with me, but most times not. He had a lot of drama going on at home with a troubled son. And I know we didn't see eye-to-eye on politics or religion, and when you run with someone for hours, sometimes that can seem to limit topics of conversation (I don't know that is has to, but I got the sense that it did with him because he was very politically motivated). There was also one other man, but he cancelled on me more often than not, and very often last minute. Both of them had to be almost begged to run with me. Neither ever initiated a run-invite to me, which after awhile seemed like a red flag that they really weren't interested in this (at least, not with me). End result, there's nobody to run with.

Facebook is another huge issue for me. Facebook was used a lot when I moved here to add local runners as "friends" even though almost none of them really are. I've never been invited to join them in runs, never been invited to their get-togethers, parties, weddings, etc etc. In fact, seeing constant updates from a large set of people who have essentially ostracized me is a big downer and lowers my motivation to run. I want to remove them all from Facebook, yet I see them all the time at local group runs, so that feels awkward (which, I wonder, should I still attend?). Basically, the impression is that there's this big tent of "cool kids" that have fun running together and racing and even traveling together. Then, there's me. And I guess that just kind of sucks to be bombarded with constantly.

Why do I want/need someone to run with? Well for me, a good running group or partner really makes the longer runs more enjoyable. It's also just a social interaction of a friend and we all want and need friendships in our lives, right? There's a lot more to it though in terms of learning the local running gossip and what races and training programs others are doing, what apps their using, what gear, etc. It made me feel connected in a larger way and made running a much broader event for me than just a workout.

In years past (different town) I had a running group and a few guys I could run with on occasion and I didn't know how lucky I had it. For most of this last year I've run alone. Some of that was also because of my school schedule (career changing). But I've also just sort of given up on this community. I have gone months at a time without using Facebook, and it seems the longer I'm away from it the happier I feel.

What do I do? Do any of you have recommendations? Do I just become a solo runner and seek friendships elsewhere and in different communities? I feel this situation has reached a breaking point for me. I can't keep begging people to be my friend and frankly it's just too demoralizing and depressing. Running used to be a lot of fun and anymore all I seem to concentrate on and talk about is feeling left out. To me that's ridiculous. More importantly I think it's risking me abandoning the sport that I'm passionate about and which has helped keep my weight off and keep me feeling generally happier (although you wouldn't know it by this post).

Thanks.