Now is the Perfect Time to Join a Run Club

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This week I deleted both TikTok and Twitter/X off my phone, and I already feel more in touch with the world around me. I hated how my life was wasting away one unplanned half hour (okay, fine, it was usually more like an hour) of mindless scrolling at a time.

I don’t think I’m going to blow any minds by saying that I believe we could all benefit from putting our phones down more and connecting IRL.

A great place to do just that? A run club.

Local running clubs and communities surged in popularity earlier this year, with runners of all different levels and abilities joining to get in shape and train for races, yes, but also to connect with people in their cities that they might not otherwise have met.

So why is now the right time to try a run club?

With the trend pieces now collecting dust, you can feel confident that the people you meet won’t disappear from one week’s tempo run to the next.

It’ll be like joining a gym in February. All the New Year’s Resolutioners with a weak work ethic have stopped going.

Below, what to consider before you join a run club:

smiling group of young runners crossing a bridge — @oldmanrunclub

Date a run club before you DTR

Finding the right run club for you is a lot like finding a good therapist. It’s important to think about what you want to get out of it. Are you kickstarting a fitness routine? Attempting to PR your next 10k? Trying to make new friends or expand your dating opportunities?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but you want to be honest with yourself about what you want and need from your running community.

From there, expect that you may not find the perfect fit on your first try.

Different run clubs will have varying levels of social components, how welcome they are to beginners, schedules, and more. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few attempts to find a community that’s right for you.

And if a club doesn’t exist in the town or city where you live? Organize one! Be the run club you want to see in the world.

two athletic men running in a race crossing a street in front of three casually dressed young men — @joeholder

Don’t go overboard on gear to start.

You don’t want to look like the noob that buys all the high tech gear only to give up before week two. If running is a new endeavor for you, wear what you have and supplement where needed.

Personally, I like to give myself a goal for workout wardrobe upgrades based on execution, not performance.

If you show up for run club three times a week for two weeks, for instance, treat yourself to new running shorts. But only if you keep your commitment.

group of runners lining up to begin a run in the pre-morning light — @mgk__59

Yes, it’s okay for your goals to be social, not athletic

More people than ever are feeling dating app exhaustion.

If you’re sick of swiping, joining a local community group that expands your social circle isn’t sneaky, it’s smart.

I know putting yourself out there can be scary. A run club gives you cover to introduce yourself to people and create connection without feeling sketchy about it. To say nothing of the obvious additional benefits of moving your body and pushing yourself past your existing limits!

Don’t hit on every woman in your pace group, obviously, but if you feel a flicker of romance while tackling a Fartlek, pursue it!

group of runners gathered on a street in front of a green light — @keepitrunhundred

Accessorize with color

Whatever your relationship is to color in your wardrobe, it’s not a bad idea to tone it down when you first join a run club.

You want to be the one to do the speaking, not your outfit. Or in this case, maybe, the wheezing.

Unless you’re diving into trail running, you shouldn’t be in danger of getting lost without a hi-vis getup. So at least to start, stick to neutrals with pops of color and not the other way around.

man wearing a black t-shirt and backwards white cap that reads "good vibes track club" checking his watch among other runners — @goodvibes_tc

Commit to showing up

Once you’ve found a run club you like, commit to a schedule that works for you.

With the endorphins of that first runner’s high at your back, it can feel tempting to tell yourself, I’m going to get up at 5am every day! and hey, there’s plenty of time to up your routine, but to start, opt for an MVS: Minimum Viable Schedule.

Every Monday night’s “out and back” run after work. Or every Saturday morning’s long run.

Now go! You’ve got this! Team SG is cheering you on all the way.