Relocating to the big city, especially if you’re not used to fast-paced living, can be a little intimidating. Making friends as an adult is difficult, and your job obligations might keep you busy for most of every weekday.
A good way to make acquaintances is to find people with similar interests. Running is one of the most popular outdoor activities, and most big cities, including Boston, have a multitude of running clubs for you to try.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Boston running clubs with well-organized runs and workouts.
What Makes a Boston Running Club “Great”?
Almost any running club can be “great” if it features friendly, dedicated runners. To make this list, we considered clubs that:
- Had a robust online presence
- Offered easy instructions on joining
- Provide multiple types of runs each week
- Prioritize community and welcoming atmospheres
- Meet at well-known or easy-to-find landmarks
Top 10 Running Clubs in Boston, According to Our Research
The list below is not an exhaustive list of Boston run clubs, but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for a running home in Boston.
Tip: Don’t see any clubs that work with your busy schedule? Think about starting your own running club!
1. Cambridge Running Club
A Boston mainstay since the 1980s, CRC holds group workouts on Thursday nights (at either the Harvard or MIT campus) and long runs on Saturday mornings. Some CRCers even participate in team races against runners from across the Northeast.
2. Midnight Runners Boston
The Midnight Runners is a global organization of runners, and the Boston chapter is one of the more active ones. The group’s Tuesday-night 5K/10K runs feature unique workouts interspersed every two kilometers. In addition to Tuesdays, the Midnight Runners put on holiday runs to mark special occasions, complete with raving afterparties.
3. Brighton Bangers
Oak Square is the place to be on Wednesday nights for the city’s “friendliest running club,” the Brighton Bangers. The group runs, which also take place on Saturday mornings, vary in distance to accommodate participants of all abilities.
4. Somerville Road Runners
If you’re up for a quick drive or bike ride to Somerville, the Road Runners is the club to join. The charitable nonprofit runs nearly every day of the week, including numerous long runs on Saturdays and Sundays. The club website mentions that runners of all paces and abilities are welcome. Many runs end at breweries, ice cream shops, and other eateries.
5. Notch Run Club
Runners of all paces in Salem and Brighton have a potential home with the Notch Run Club. Mid-day Saturday and Sunday runs are noted for their welcoming atmosphere, and many participants are there simply for the community. The club also has Wednesday and Thursday runs. Serious runners can join the club race team.
6. Davis Square Runners
Do you get tired of running the same route every week? Davis Square Runners could be the club for you; they hold runs throughout the Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Arlington areas. Tuesday night runs welcome runners of (nearly) all paces. On Sundays, runners hit area trails for some off-road adventures.
7. Frontrunners Boston
This club is geared toward members of the LGBTQ+ community. The primary run occurs on Saturday mornings in the Boston Public Garden; runners can choose from three routes of varying distances. Frontrunners also holds Monday-night runs in Davis Square and Wednesday-night runs in Jamaica Plain. Save room for brunch on Saturdays!
8. Forest Hills Runners
One of the city’s newer running clubs, Forest Hills Runners, welcomes participants of all paces and experiences. Saturday runs typically end with coffee and other treats at J.P. Lick’s. The group also runs on Monday nights and Tuesday mornings. Thursday nights are track nights, where members get in their workouts.
9. Community Running Boston/Cambridge
If you want tailored coaching and group runs in a fun atmosphere, Community Running is a great club to check out. Meetups are on Monday and Wednesday evenings at either the MIT or Harvard campus. Although runners of all abilities are welcome, each meetup focuses on preparing runners for 5ks, half-marathons, or full marathons.
10. November Project
This club has a rotating Monday morning run and workout that has been held at numerous locations around the Boston area, including Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville. Wednesday mornings are spent running the steps at Harvard Stadium, and Friday mornings involve running up the Summit Avenue hill.
Bring Something New to Your Run Club with a Sneaker Reuse Program
Running clubs in Boston do more than help runners improve their mile times. Other main draws of these groups are camaraderie, friendships, and community service.
Sneaker reuse drives are a natural fit for running clubs that want to raise their local profiles while taking aim at poverty in developing countries. Plenty of run group members have pairs of gently worn sneakers they no longer wear, and Sneakers4Good provides the perfect outlet for giving them a second life.
After collecting running shoes and sneakers, Sneakers4Good will PAY you based on the amount you collect. The athletic shoes then get rerouted into the global reuse economy.
Find out more about raising money and awareness for your running club with Sneakers4Good.
Running with Purpose in Boston
Runner’s high is real, and many people love to chase the feeling with like-minded people. Hitting the city with a local running club is a great way to meet friends and feel more connected to your community. Being in Boston and having access to so many great running spots is the cherry on top.
You can elevate your running club’s profile by partnering with Sneakers4Good and hosting a shoe drive fundraiser. Your club gets money, people in developing countries get new revenue streams, and fewer sneakers end up in landfills.
Ready to get started? Sign up for a Sneakers4Good event today!
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