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9 best running clubs in London

 (Track Life LDN)
(Track Life LDN)

If you were one of the thousands to take up pounding the pavements in lockdown, joining an IRL running community is a great way to sustain your training, challenge yourself and add a fun social element while you’re at it.

Whether you’re looking for routes through the city, stunning parks or a real-life training track, there’s plenty of choice around the capital.

You’ll smash that PB in no time.

Run Dem Crew

Roll deep with the RDC family, a community for London-based runners founded by Charlie Dark @daddydarkrdc to encourage people to run, exchange ideas and explore the streets of the city. For details on the location each week message @mohsonstars.

When and where: Tuesdays 7pm, currently meeting at Brixton Street Gym, but always be sure to check@run.dem.crew in advance for location confirmation.

Price: free.

rundemcrew.com

Puresport Free Run Club

CBD brand Puresport launched its virtual run club led by elite runners on Strava in lockdown and has since transitioned into an in-person club, so you can meet your new pals IRL. The core club meets at Battersea Park every Wednesday, but there are now also regular runs in Victoria Park in East London and also in Bristol. Check the Instagram page @puresportclubs for weekly dates and sign up online here.

Where and when: 6.15pm on Wednesdays at Battersea Park.

Price: free.

puresportcbd.com

Track Life LDN

Smash that PB on an actual track under the watchful eye of Rory Knight, Omar Mansour, Emma Kirk Odunubi and Tashi Skervin-Clarke at Track Life LDN, a running club based at Battersea Park — all abilities welcome. Sign up for sessions via the website.

When and where: Mondays 6.30pm at Battersea Park.

Price: £13.

tracklifeldn.com

Onetrack Run Club

Virtual run club Onetrack, founded by Anthony Fletcher (Fletch), who was formerly head of precision run at Equinox gym, has just launched its own running app offering audio guided runs, video workouts and running tips (available to download in the App Store for iOS and Google Play). It also runs in-person sessions on the track at Duke of York Square, located in front of the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. Expect to learn plenty about biomechanics and training in red zones along the way.

When and where: Duke of York Square, Chelsea, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm.

Price: free or a contribution of £5.

onetrack.club

Black Girls Do Run UK

Black Girls Do Run is a community created by experienced runner Tasha Thompson to encourage and motivate women of colour around the UK to run together. There are monthly runs and training sessions for specific races as well as active Facebook and WhatsApp groups for members to keep in touch and support each other’s progress.

When and where: Check the Instagram page for upcoming runs @blackgirlsdorunuk.

Price: free.

linktr.ee/blackgirlsdorunuk

Tribe Tempo

Healthy snack brand Tribe is back with a calendar of winter run sessions: Tribe Tuesdays happen each week, spanning park trails in Hampstead Heath and Tempo Sessions with Ben through varying London routes. Check the website for session info.

When and where: Tuesdays 6.30pm starting from varying London locations.

Price: free for first timers, then free runs once a £10 charity donation has been made

wearetribe.eventcube

Lazy Girl Running

If you’re looking for a female-only running community and are North London-based, check out the Lazy Girl Running groups. There are beginners groups, improver sessions and circuits classes.

When and where: varying days throughout the week at Finsbury Park, check the website to sign up for runs.

Price: from £7.

lazygirlrunning.com

London City Runners

London City Runners is one of the capital’s largest free run clubs, though spots must currently be booked via an online system. Routes begin at the Clubhouse, a cafe-bar under an archway in Bermondsey, where you can also grab a post-run coffee (or beer) and mingle with fellow runners. The club also offers interval sessions at Southwark Athletics Track on Wednesday evenings.

When and where: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 10am from 130 Druid Street SE1 2HH or Wednesday at 6.45pm or 7.30pm at Southwark Athletics Track

Price: social membership is free, sign up online to join.

londoncityrunners.com

Parkrun

Many credit Parkrun for transforming their lives. It’s pretty simple, runners of all abilities around the UK meet at 9am every Saturday at their nearest Parkrun location to take on either a 2k or 5k community walk, run or jog. Bring your friends or family or come alone, either way, you’ll be sure to make friends.

When and where: Every Saturday at 9am. There are 47 Parkruns in London — find your nearest location here.

Price: free.

blog.parkrun.com