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Joining a running club can be a scary prospect, but finding the right group can be a game-changer for both your running and your social life. Not all clubs are the same, and that’s a good thing. Runners come with different paces, preferences and goals, so it makes sense that clubs vary too. Whether you’re into trails, chasing PBs, or just want some company on your runs, it’s worth taking the time to find a club that suits your style and supports your running journey.

If you’re tried a running club in the past and didn’t have a good experience, it’s likely that there are other clubs out there that you might enjoy running with. Here’s what t look for if you’re thinking of giving a rub club a try.

Why you should join a running club

Being part of a running club that you enjoy going to can give your training a huge boost. It will give you that motivation to get out the door knowing that your running buddies will be waiting for you. It also makes it easier to push yourself to run a bit faster or a bit further during your interval sessions. You’ll benefit from having coaches or run leaders on hand to give you advice on all aspects of running too.

If you’re joining a club that is ‘affiliated’ to England, Scottish or Welsh Athletics, you’ll also get discount on entry fees at many races.

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Types of running club

Traditional running clubs

Longer established, more traditional running clubs might seem a little intimidating to outsiders, but they can be friendly, welcoming spaces for runners of all abilities. The Serpentine Running Club in London for example has runners who have represented England but also runs Beginner 0-5k courses.

These sorts of running clubs will have a ‘committee’ and be affiliated to their governing body. Their coaches and Run Leaders will be qualified and have been trained in First Aid and safeguarding. You will pay a yearly membership fee and most sessions will be included in this.

Running Groups

More informal running groups can be set up by one or more Run Leader or Coach. These vary in size of group and what sort of sessions they provide. Some will be free while others will be charged for. You can search for groups local to you in England on Run Together or in Scotland via Jog Scotland.

You may find informal groups based out of gyms, work places or shops.

Running crews

Similar to running groups, running crews are often more informal than traditional running clubs, but can have a real range of abilities from super speedy runners to those just getting started.

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What to look for in a run club

Don’t be afraid to email or DM a club or group to ask some questions before you go along for your first session. Clubs that require you to join as a member should welcome you down for a trial session first before you commit to joining. Ask which session would be most appropriate for you to try first.

Who will be leading the session?

The most important thing is that sessions are led by someone who is qualified to lead or coach. This will ensure that they are safe and appropriate to your level. For bigger groups, there should be more than one qualified leader to help manage the runners and a ‘tail runner’ whose job it is to make sure nobody gets lost or left behind.

When do they train?

One of the perks of running is that you can mostly do it where and when it suits you. But bringing a running group into the equation takes away some of that flexibility. Make sure the club you choose trains at times that are realistic for you and are easy for you to get to, otherwise you might have a nice new club T-shirt but you’re unlikely to make it to any sessions.

What type of sessions do they offer?

What are you looking for in a running club? You might just want some company for an easy run or maybe you want to push yourself and do some interval training. Make sure the club you choose is suited to your style of training and your goals.

Finding your tribe

While most groups will be happy to welcome you, you will find you get more out of training with a club that has runners of a similar pace to you. Nobody wants to see a bunch of runners disappear into the distance and, likewise, you’ll push yourself more if there’s someone a bit faster for you to pace.

While some groups are open to everyone, you can also find others that are women-only such as She Runs Lincolnshire. Other clubs are aimed at runners who may feel excluded or unrepresented in other groups such as London Frontrunners, a running club ‘for LGBT+ and gay-friendly people’ and Black Girls Do Run which aims to inspire and support black women to run.

How to find a club that fits the bill

Via parkrun or races

Look out for club vests at your local parkrun or local races and look up the clubs. If you’re feeling brave you could chat to the runners about their clubs. Also check your local parkrun results for runners who are around your pace and see which clubs they belong to as this will be listed in the results.

Recommendations

Ask around. If you know runners locally, ask about their clubs to get a feel for what they offer.

Social media

As well as asking on social media, this is a good place to look up the social profiles of local clubs and see what they’re posting.

Looking for motivation to get out running? How about signing up for one of these spring races?