Is it just me or does it suddenly feel like everyone on Instagram is a member of a run club?
With the aim of making running more of a social and motivating activity, joining one of Australia’s run clubs may seem a little daunting at first, but can actually add a whole new dimension to your running training. It’s no secret that committing to meet up with other people for a workout can help keep you accountable, and there may even be a coach or a veteran marathoner on hand to give you a few pointers on form and fuel. Bonus: you’ll probably make some new friends, too.
So what should you expect? Well, it depends. Some run clubs are a little more advanced like the branded crews that head off from the same spots every week. Others are way more casual and might celebrate the end of their Sunday long runs with brunch. Either way, they simply require showing up (with a friend is even better) in you activewear and giving it a red hot go.
So if you’re wondering what all the fuss about, and more importantly, how to get involved, keep reading.
Sydney’s Best Running Clubs To Join In 2024
Kic x New Balance Run club
Melbourne KICRUN Event
When: From Saturday, March 30 7am (7.30 start)
Where: Como Park
Sydney KICRUN Event
When: From Saturday, March 30 (7.30 start)
Where: Centennial Park
Brisbane KICRUN Event
When: From Saturday, March 30 6.30am
Where: Captain Burke Park
Adelaide KICRUN Event
When: From Saturday, March 30 7am
Where: Pinky Flat
Cost: Free
How to join: Runners must register each week to secure a spot. Spaces are limited and can be reserved by visiting kicapp.com.
Kicking off this weekend for eight weeks, New Balance and Kic have partnered to launch new eight-week IRL run club across Australia – including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Understanding the need to create a more inclusive and accessible space for female runners, New Balance and Kic’s new KICRUN Club meetups aim to help runners overcome self-doubt while having fun and supporting each other, every step of the way.
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Pace Yourself Run Club
When: Saturday 8am for 8.15am start
Where: Homestead Cafe in Centennial Park
Cost: Free
How to join: Follow @paceyourselfrunclub for event updates
This club meets every Saturday morning to run one lap of Centennial Park and grab a coffee afterwards. They also host occasional Pastry Yourself runs, finishing at a bakery for some cheeky post-run treats.
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440 Run Club
When: Saturday 5am
Where: Bronte Beach, corner of Calga Place & Bronte Road
Cost: Free
How to join: Sign the waiver on the 440 Run Club website and follow @the_440 for updates
Live near Bronte and love a beach sunrise sesh? Then this is for you. 440 Run Club Bronte is a 10-lap run of a 440-metre hill (hence the name). It’s open to people of all abilities and is as much about mental health as it is about running. There are also 440 clubs in North Parramatta and Canada Bay.
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Unofficial Run Club
When: Friday 6am
Where: Bradfield Park, Milsons Point
Cost: Free
How to join: Head to the Unofficial Run Club website or follow @unofficialrunclub for updates
Unofficial Run Clun is the run club of run clubs, hosting over 2,000 runners that follow a 6.5km route heading to Circular Quay and back. From runners to walkers it’s for all levels – with some running shorter versions or even just joining for the post-run brekkie.
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Coastal Run Co
When: 6.30am
Where: South Bondi
Cost: Free
How to join: Follow @coastalrun.co
A 30-minute run along the coastal path, there’s generally always a coffee and a catch-up afterwards at Coastal Run Co. It’s open to all paces and ability levels and the crew meet up at the water fountain by the beach.
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Kings Cross Track Club (KXTC)
When: Tuesday 6.30pm, Thursday 6.30pm, Saturday 7.30am
Where: Coke Sign, Kings Cross and E.S. Marks Athletics Field, Centennial Park for intervals
Cost: Free (interval sessions cost $6 track entry fee)
How to join: Check out the KXTC training schedule or follow @kingscrosstrackclub for updates
With three sessions a week, there’s something for everyone: from social runs on Tuesday evenings (good for new runners) to runs of 15+ km on Saturday mornings (perfect for half-marathon training) and interval training on Thursday nights.
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Chinatown Run Club
When: No set days
Where: Haymarket (details vary)
Cost: Free
How to join: Follow @chinatownrunclubsyd
While there’s no set time or route here, the club lets runners know where and when to meet ahead of each run via their Instagram page and a WhatsApp chat. They welcome all paces and abilities and are all about connecting people for a social workout.
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Sydney Harbour Runners
When: Tuesday 6pm
Where: Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour
Cost: Free
How to join: Check out the Sydney Harbour Runners website or follow @shrunners for updates.
The perfect after-work session, this group meets once a week for an evening run. There are multiple pace options ranging from 4:30 to 6:15 min/km. They offer two distances—one short run ( 6k-8k) and one longer run (11-13k). They also have somewhere to leave your bag which can be a real game-changer.
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Coogee Run Club
When: Tuesday 6.30pm, Wednesday 6.30am, Thursday 6.15am, Sunday 8am
Where: Coogee Beach and Queens Park for speed sessions
Cost: Free
How to join: Details on the Coogee Run Club website and follow @thecoogeerunclub for updates
Depending on the day you join will mean a different distance and speed session. All paces and abilities are welcome and there’s a big social side to the group too.
Manly Beach Running Club
When: Monday to Friday at 5:30am
Where: Manly Beach Surf Club
Cost: Free trial with a cost ongoing.
How to join: Head to manlybeachrunningclub.com
Community focussed not strava obsessed, Manly’s run club takes place every week day at 5:30am. They have 10km, half marathon, marathon and ultra marathon training programs to help get you up and running and ready for your next race. They also offer triathlon and IronMan coaching, too.
Running Stars
When: Sundays 7:30am at Collaroy, Sunday at 08:30 am to 09:00 am at Mona Vale
Where: Curl Curl, Mona Vale
Cost: Free
How to join: Register by downloading the app and bring your phone the first week. After that you will have your ‘Star Pass’ to use each week.
Running Stars is a free weekly timed running, jogging and walking event for all in the community at any level of fitness. It’s not about speed and first places, it’s about participation and personal bests. The host a post run coffee, too.
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Rozelle Run Club
When: Every Wednesday night from 6.20pm
Where: Meet at Pace Athletic 634 Darling Street in Rozelle
Cost: Free
How to join: No booking required. Just lace up, show up and run! Find out more info here.
Rozelle Run Club covers between 6km to 9km on average, using a wide selection of routes and locations including the famous Bay Run Rozelle, the equally beautiful Blackwattle Bay loop plus Callan Park and its surrounds. The crew is full of energetic and supportive people who welcome runners of all levels, from first-timers to elite athletes.
Western Districts Joggers and Harriers
When: Saturday morning from 6:30am to 7:30am (check the date for exact timing)
Where: Lake Gillawarna, Georges Hall.
Cost: Free
How to join: Simply register for one of the Saturday morning runs here.
Western Districts Joggers & Harriers (also known as Westies Joggers) is a family-friendly running club. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome, and are based on off-road on the pathways within Lake Gillawarna.
