If you're looking for run clubs in Melbourne that offer accountability, fitness, fun and a place to socialise, here are your options.
Run clubs are more than just places where intimidating people gather at 4 o’clock in the morning with visors, vibrant goggles and skin-tight 2xu’s – they’re a fun, inclusive environment where you can meet people while improving your running skills.
So what are you waiting for? Lace up those sneakers, stretch out those hamstrings and get ready to take your workout to the next level (and maybe make a few friends while you’re at it). These are the top run clubs in Melbourne for joggers, sprinters and even walkers.
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Northside Collective
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- When: Thursday 6am, Friday 5:45pm
- Where: Princes Hill Tennis Club, Inner North Brewing
“On Thursdays, we threshold; on Fridays, we connect” is the mantra at Northside Collective. This group meets at Princes Park on Thursday morning and Friday evening at Inner North Brewing, where “no drinks are poured until we are all done”. Just as a warning, this is for more experienced runners, running 7km just as an “easy warm up” for these guys. If you’re a serious athlete – or looking to get serious and not afraid of some hard work – this is the club to check out.
Golden Retriever Running Club
- When: Tuesday 6:05am
- Where: Princes Park, Carlton Baths
This club is a bit more social and easier going, led by experienced running coach Jak Lynch. It still pushes you, but there’s more of a variety of people there in terms of ability. If you have just recently got into running, or at least you’re not a marathon runner, this run club is for you. Finished by 7:15, you’ll be able to get your daily exercise in before the sun even rises.
Parkville Parkrun
- When: 8am Saturday and Sunday
- Where: Princes Park Running Track
On 8am on a Saturday at Princes Park, families and friends gather to run up to 5k around the track. It’s a fun and free event, made for people who are beginner runners or anyone who wants to get outside and get some exercise. For younger kids, they also run a park run where juniors jog a breezy 2km.
Nobody Run Club
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- Where: 6:15pm Tuesday
- Where: Carlton Gardens Fountain
If you’re a beginner and intermediate runner who lives near Carlton, Nobody Run Club is for you. Cool merch, cool people, good vibes. “Tuesday is for sweat and smiles” they say on their Facebook page. Nobody Run Club doesn’t leave anyone behind and it puts community first. This is one of the best Melbourne run clubs for new runners and positive energy.
Run the Tan Run Club
- When: 8am Saturday
- Where: Pillars of Wisdom, Tan Track
For those closer to the city, Run The Tan club might just be for you. Run The Tan Run Club caters to everyone, from 18 to 65 years old. Whether you want to walk, jog, or run, professional running coaches have it planned for you. “Start your weekends on the right foot,” they claim.
Ate Miles Club
- When: 7am every other Wednesday
- Where: Maap Lap Collingwood
Despite its aesthetic Instagram page, Ate Miles Club is the opposite of intimidating. With a focus on accepting people of all running abilities, you don’t even need to be a seasoned runner. It’s a sociable, judgement-free club that explores Melbourne’s northeast every fortnight, with free coffee at the end.
Sandwich Run Club
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- When: Sunday
- Where: Various locations
Who doesn’t like a celebratory sandwich at the end of their hard run? This isn’t just your typical running club. Its aim is to explore the different sandwich stores that Melbourne has to offer. After each runner pre-orders their sandwich at the selected spot that week, Sandwich Run Club splits up into four groups for a 5-20km run, depending on your running abilities. In the words of the Sandwich Run Club, “It’s time to get that bread!”.
Tanaka Run Club
- When: 6:30am Wednesday, 7:30am Sunday
- Where: Fenton Farmhouse, Carlton
Tanaka is one of the more renowned running clubs, known for its good chats, good vibes and even better coffee. Whether you’re looking for a slower-paced run or to push your limits, you’re guaranteed a post-run coffee from the Fenton Farmhouse.
AM:PM Run Club
- When: 6:45pm every other Tuesday, 6:30am Thursday
- Where: The Tan Track, Princes Park
This one is for more experienced runners, people with a five to six-minute pace and those who are able to run 6-10km a session. It’s more than just running – AM:PM wants you to know that it’s a run club that looks out for each other, that is both a family and a community, putting the social aspect of running first and foremost.
Femmi Run Club
- When: 6:30am Friday
- Where: Into Coffee, Collingwood
This run club is targeted towards women, encouraging and inspiring women of all backgrounds, levels and ages to get into running. It aims to create a community for like-minded women, full of gossip, fun and hard work. This running club is unique because it specifically empowers women to understand and celebrate their menstrual cycle and movement. Programs run from 3-5km, so if you’re new to running, hit the pavement with Femmi Club.
For more on run clubs in Melbourne, head here.
