How to Start a Run Club
And why you should start one
Starting a run club is one of the best things I've done for my physical and mental health.
It’s helped me stay active in retirement. Plus it’s helped me reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
And I’m writing this to share what I’ve learned from setting up 10+ run clubs because I think you should start one too (or at least join one) and experience the same life changing benefits.
Here’s how:
1. Text a group of mates
I struggle to exercise alone. But I’ve found it much easier when I've got friends waiting at the startline for me. And it’s likely will you too (Start-up Striders was started by
to help keep him accountable while he built a running habit).So text a couple of friends who you think would be keen to commit to meeting once a week at the same time.
You'll need at least two or three because not everyone will be able to make it every week. And building momentum at the start is crucial, and having a solid starting group increases the chances of it becoming consistent.
(R4R) started like this with just Breeny and a few of his mates, plus me and a few of mine. But from that, it’s grown to nearly 600 runners each week.Which is wild and all because as a group, we’ve never missed a week.
Tip: Don't over think it. Just text a few mates and get going.
2. Find a course that ends near a Café or Pub
Shorter courses are better because you’ll be more likely keep doing it once the inital excitment wears off.
But run clubs are not about the running.
They're about the catch-up after, and the best conversations I have each week are almost always after exercise with good people, and a drink in hand.
It must have something to do with endorphins, as people seem to open up more after exercise. And if you finish at a café in the morning or a pub in the arvo, it’s way easier for everyone to hang around.
And there’s something about holding a drink—whether it’s coffee, a beer, or just water—that makes chatting feel more natural.
Tip: Get your group to join a current run like parkrun or Running for Resilience instead of creating your own course.
3. Post Photos and Create a Group Chat
Once you’ve done your first run, take a group shot and share it. The smiles will give other people sitting on couch FOMO and you’ll likely get people texting asking if they can join.
Also encourage people to share the photos on Strava as there are heaps of runners and people looking to get into running there, so you’ll likely attract the next wave of runners from it. Plus it helps document the runs and promotes the club without feeling pushy.
A group chat keeps everyone connected, makes organising runs easier, and builds a sense of community that keeps people coming back. R4R uses WhatsApp - join here.
Tip: Share admin duties and send a private message to welcome newcomers.
4. Consistency beats Intensity
The most important factor in building a run club is consistency.
Meeting at the same time and place every week builds familiarity, which builds trust, and ultimately leads to friendships and a sense of belonging.
“Routine is the rhythm of community"
A steady, moderate turnout is better than a huge one-off event because the reliability of knowing who will be there is what keeps people coming back—not the run itself, since you can run alone anytime, anywhere.
Tip: If you’re thinking of adding or changing something, ask yourself “Can we keep this up forever?” If the answer is no, give it a miss.
After every win, my coach Jake White used to say, “If I could bottle this feeling boys, I’d be the richest man on earth.”
It’s not exactly the same, but I get a similar buzz every time I run with mates, and starting a run club has been one of the best things I’ve done for my physical and mental health.
If you’re looking to build a running (or walking) habit or meet new people and reconnect with others, consider starting your own run club. And if you need a hand, please email me here as I’d love to help.
And if you’re not keen to start one, consider joining one of the clubs below. I’d love to see you there!
Join a Canberra Run Club
R4R @ The Dock - Mon & Fri 6:15am - join here
Tuesday Trotters @ Deakin Shops - 5:45am Tue - join here
R4R @ Uni of Canberra - Tue 7am & Thu 8:30am - join here
Bunda Run Club @ 224 Bunda St Civic - Tue 12:15pm - join here
R4R @ The Jetty - Thu 6pm
Start Up Striders @ one of Canberra’s parkruns - Saturday 8am - join here
Sunday Sesh @ Barton - Sunday 7:30am
That's honestly what gets me to parkrun every Saturday. We have our small group, we run or walk and then go somewhere for breaky after. Such a great way to start the weekend :)