For many people, running is a solo venture. They lace up their shoes, pop in some running headphones, and head out for some quiet, independent miles.
And at Marathon Sports, we know there’s a lot to be said for getting lost in some quiet, peaceful miles. But we also think that, for the most part, everything is better with friends, including running.
Run clubs seem to be popping up everywhere. And with that, we couldn’t be happier to see more runners and walkers getting outside and meeting new people through the sport. Community-focused run groups can be found throughout New England. Each of our local stores also hosts its own free, inclusive run clubs for easy access to group runs.
Every week, our stores welcome runners of all experience levels and paces looking to meet like-minded people and get in some miles. But we wanted to go beyond our run clubs and get to know some of the other local run club scenes throughout New England.
Through our Run Club Spotlight Presented by Marathon Sports series, our team visited some of the most unique, active run clubs in New England. We spoke to founders and members to learn more about what makes every run club unique and why people should participate in group runs.
Run Club Spotlight Series Presented by Marathon Sports: Massachusetts Run Clubs
Looking for a Massachusetts run club near you? No matter where you are, how many miles you run, or how much running experience you have, there are plenty of options out there for you.
Every week, you can participate in group runs at your local Marathon Sports store, where you can enjoy a supportive, inclusive environment where all paces are welcome. But we wanted to learn more about some of the other run clubs and their members, unique missions, and community involvement. Here are four of the MA run clubs we visited throughout the spotlight series:
- PIONEERS Run Crew: Founded in 2017 with the goal of making running equitable and accessible for the BIPOC running community in Boston. This group advocates for “all faces, all paces” and encourages community connectedness and exploration of Boston’s historically Black neighborhoods.
- Melrose Run Club: Formed in 1996. Its mission is to positively contribute to the community while promoting the sport of running. Made for all fitness levels, with a walk-to-run program and a social, supportive community.
- Boston Bulldogs Run Club: Dates back to 2015. The mission is to provide a safe community of support for all those adversely affected by addiction, including those in recovery, their family and friends, caregivers, the clinical community, healthcare and wellness professionals, and the community at large. Along with providing a supportive running environment and leadership opportunities, this club is also focused on giving back to the community through outreach programs.
- TrailblazHers Run Co.: Founded in 2020 as an all-female running space meant to uplift, unite, and support women in Boston. Their mission is to create a supportive, welcoming space for women, especially BIPOC women, no matter where they are in their running journey.
Benefits of Running Groups
While everyone has their own reasons for joining a run club, here are five reasons to participate in a running group we uncovered throughout our run club series.
Build Social Connections
Joining a run club is one of the best ways to meet new people and make friends. Whether you’ve just moved to a new area or are simply looking to expand your social circle, run clubs provide you with a group of like-minded individuals who share your hobby and interests. And over the course of lots of miles and social events, strangers can quickly become friends.
In speaking with Melrose Run Club founder Julie-Smith Galvin, she highlighted the importance of these run club friendships. Melrose Run Club “has brought me really good friends,” she states. “There’s nothing you can hide when you’re running 10-26 miles together, so I have some really great friends”.
Run clubs allow you to blend running with socializing, using physical activity and community events to help you meet a new circle of supportive friends and colleagues.
And for many run clubs, while you get plenty of miles in together, a lot of the fun and community stems from social events outside of group runs.
Some groups will also host events outside of planned runs, simply for fun, socialization, and overall wellness. For example, TrailBlazHers has monthly Self-Care Sundays, and Melrose Running Club has holiday parties and barbecues for members.
TrailblazHers Run Co., a women-led and centered running group, also takes the approach of “community first, running second”.
Club “LeadHer” Lindsey Thorne-Bingham states that “TrailblazHers find people when they least expect it, but most need it, and it really has become a community, where you’re not just here for the running, for the walking. You’re here for the joy. You’re here for the celebrations. You’re here for the heartbreak, the uplifting”.
Stay Motivated and Accountable
Another common theme while speaking to run club members was how much having a scheduled group run kept people feeling motivated and accountable.
As much as our Marathon Sports team loves running, we’ve also all had days when we couldn’t motivate ourselves to lace up our running shoes and get out for a run. Run clubs combat these low-motivation days, giving you a set routine and a group of people expecting you to show up and get those miles in.
And while PIONEERS Run Crew member Abeo Powder appreciates the friendship and community, she also points to how this dedicated running circle can motivate you to get out and run, even when it feels difficult.
She says the club “has brought me friendship. It’s brought me community and motivation. The days where you don’t want to run, but you show up to run anyway after a hard day at work, and you’re here with the community…They’re cheering you on, pushing you, and helping you to move forward”.
“People who join running clubs are just regular people who want to learn how to run, learn how to run better, or run with people…that’s why people should join a run club”, states Melrose Run Club race director, Andy Nagelin. “On Tuesday nights, you might just be sitting at home, but if you know there’s a group of people that are waiting for you to show up and go for a run, you’re likely to get up and go for a run on a Tuesday night”.
Whether you’re training for a race, looking for partners for long runs, or simply trying to build your fitness, running clubs help you stick to your goal and create a sense of accountability and accomplishment every step of the way.
Boost Your Fitness and Performance
Over and over again, we hear that people are hesitant to show up to run clubs because they can be intimidating, and they aren’t sure if they’re fast enough or “enough of a runner”. But the beauty of run clubs is that countless options out there are truly inclusive of everyone, regardless of pace or experience level.
The Melrose Run Club, for example, advertises that everyone is welcome to join – from the most competitive runners to casual walkers and everything in between. They welcome you where you are, helping you slowly build your endurance and performance throughout your time in the club.
Andy Nagelin highlights the club’s walk-to-run program, “that has been running for about 25 years. We do that in the summer…We bring people in from the community, and they go from walking to running a 5k in a 16-week period. Some people continue with the club after that. Two people who were part of the program became club presidents over the years”.
So no matter where you’re starting from, you’ll always have a supportive group to offer help and advice that can boost your performance and confidence each week.
The Boston Bulldogs also stress the importance of meeting members where they are and helping them improve and grow throughout their experience in the club. The club hosts Full Circle programs – 6-8 week programs that run continuously throughout the year to help members learn more about the mission, principles, and values while achieving specific wellness goals.
These training programs provide a structured, supportive way to train for a milestone race event. Participation even includes a physical assessment and training plan from a certified coach, as well as encouragement and support from a Boston Bulldog wellness sponsor.
Give Back to Your Community
It’s clear from our experience at both Marathon Sports run clubs and run clubs around New England that these group runs provide countless people with support, community, and motivation to get outside and get some miles in.
But many groups take this community aspect to the next level with a wide range of local community events and outreach programs.
Each of the clubs we stopped by supports the community they’re a part of in their own unique ways:
- PIONEERS Run Crew: Hosts a 6-month leadership initiative program for community members who want to take an active role in shaping the Run Club’s future. Participants help lead weekly runs, assist in planning events, and gain insight and ideas from talking with the community. They also lead the 26.TRUE marathon, which is all about celebrating Boston and its diverse neighborhoods and people.
- Melrose Run Club: Hosts the Melrose Run for Women on Mother’s Day each year. Proceeds from the event go towards the Melrose Alliance Against Violence for community awareness, education, and outreach programs. Members also consistently raise money and collect food pantry items for several local charities.
- Boston Bulldogs Running Club: “Giving Back” is one of the three core principles of the Boston Bulldogs. They provide food and compassion to those impacted by homelessness and addiction with regular visits and donations to recovery centers, hospitals, shelters, correctional facilities, and sober living houses. There’s also a Junior Bulldogs program, providing support and a positive community and outlet for at-risk or vulnerable youth.
- TrailBlazHers: Leads several events throughout the year that empower women, build community, and promote safety, self-confidence, and sisterhood. Flagship events such as Take Back the Night on International Women’s Day and the annual Bra Run help build a safe, active, and empowered community of women.
As Boston Bulldogs executive director James Keane put it, “Every human should be involved in some type of physical activity and every human should be involved in the community”. These run clubs combine physical activity and community support with meaningful events and volunteer opportunities.
Explore New Places
Running new routes is a fantastic way to discover new cities and locations. Run clubs can introduce you to new areas and help you discover your next favorite running route – all while providing a supportive group of people to show you the ropes.
For the PIONEERS Run Crew, exploring different neighborhoods is a key part of the group’s mission. The group “runs in Boston’s historically Black neighborhoods to encourage exploration of the city’s rich history and normalize running in our community”. Meeting locations vary throughout the week, so there’s always a new area to explore.
And one of the best aspects of run clubs is that no matter where you are, you’ll always be able to find people to run with. The Boston Bulldogs, for example, host six weekly runs with chapters all around Massachusetts. If you can’t make a usual run, or are traveling throughout the state, you won’t just be out of luck. It’s simple to find runs close to nearly any location, and you can always switch things up with new trails and neighborhoods.
Each Marathon Sports location also hosts their own weekly run club. Runs are free, and all paces are welcome. So no matter where you are throughout New England, you’ll know you’ll always have access to a group of like-minded runners ready to hit the roads or trails. From down in RI and CT to up in VT and ME, there’s always a run club near you to motivate you and help you reach your goals.
How to Find Run Clubs in Your Area
Wondering how to find run clubs near you? Luckily, finding running groups can be simple. In this guide, we highlighted four run clubs based throughout Boston and the surrounding areas in Massachusetts. You can take a look at our Run Club Spotlight Series on Instagram for more details about each of these four running clubs and where and when they meet.
At each Marathon Sports location, the dedicated team is also tuned in to some of the best running groups in the area. Stop by your nearest location to learn more about the store running clubs, or get more information about other local groups.
Running Club FAQs
Have more questions before you decide to join? Here are some frequently asked questions about run clubs.
Do I need to be an experienced runner to join a run club?
Not at all! Every run group is different, but the four groups highlighted above, as well as Marathon Sports group runs, are all welcoming and inclusive to all levels of athletes.
These groups ensure that nobody gets left behind. However, every run club is different, and some are more competitive, with more specific pace requirements, than others. If you’re a beginner runner joining a run club, look for pace-inclusive groups that meet you where you are.
Do run clubs cost money?
This depends on the run club. While Marathon Sports run clubs are completely free, some will have a membership fee. This fee often goes towards run club gear, facilities, or social events for club members.
How far do I need to be able to run?
Once again, this greatly depends on the run club. Some run clubs will have short run-and-walk options, while others have a set range of miles they run each time. Reach out to individual run clubs for more information about distances.
What should I bring?
Running doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment. All you’ll really need for most running clubs is yourself and a good pair of running shoes. If you don’t have running shoes, stop by Marathon Sports for a personalized fitting and find the perfect pair of shoes for your next run club.
The Finish Line: Join a Run Club Near You
Our team had a blast swinging by each of these Massachusetts run clubs, chatting with founders and members, and joining in on their group runs. And you can have just as much fun – and enjoy all these benefits – when you take part in a run club.
Despite the name, running clubs aren’t just about running. They’re a source of community, friendship, motivation, and support for so many runners out there, across all different paces and experience levels. You can meet new people, explore a new area, and give back to your community with unique service and volunteer opportunities.
Joining a run club can feel scary at first, but we’ve got your back. If you have any questions or want to try out a free, inclusive run club before making the leap into other run clubs in your area, Marathon Sports is here for you.
Swing by any of our local runs, or stop by to chat with our associates about how to find other run clubs in your area. We can’t wait to see you get outside, keep working towards your fitness goals, and take advantage of everything that run clubs have to offer.
