How to Find Running Clubs in New York City

Whether you’re a native New Yorker, you’ve chosen the city as your home or are simply in town for a visit, you might be wondering how to find running clubs in New York City to share some miles with fellow runners, walkers and all paces in between.

Not only is NYC very runnable, there are hundreds of running clubs across all five boroughs offering group runs and workouts every day of the week. This makes it easy for you to meet your running community, explore running for the first time, find an accountability partner to keep your training on track, help you see the sights on foot if you’re from out of town, or get a shakeout or recovery run for a New York destination race. This guide takes the guesswork out of how to find running clubs in NYC.

Fleet Feet NYC Group Runs

Runners run past a subway station during a group run in New York City.

New York City is home to six Fleet Feet locations: Bronxville, Brooklyn, Columbus Circle, East Side, Union Square and Upper West Side.

Several of the Fleet Feet NYC stores host group runs. These free community events often include fun themes and opportunities to run-test shoes and gear. All paces are welcome to join. Occasionally events include a charity component, but donations are always suggested, not required.

Manhattan

  • Columbus Circle Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m
  • East Side select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
  • Upper West Side Mondays at 7:00 p.m.

Columbus Circle, East Side and Upper West Side have free lockers available for the community to use during store hours every day of the week. Swing by, drop your stuff, head out for your run then come back and grab water to rehydrate.

Bronxville

Located just outside of the five boroughs in Westchester County, Fleet Feet Bronxville hosts group runs Sundays at 10 a.m.

Brooklyn

Any day of the week during store hours, feel free to swing by Fleet Feet Brooklyn to drop off your gear bag for safekeeping during your run. Fleet Feet Brooklyn hosts select events. Follow Fleet Feet NYC on Instagram for the latest event info for all locations.

Can’t make the group runs but still want to connect? Join the growing Fleet Feet NYC Strava Group for routes and virtual support.

Fleet Feet NYC Training Programs

Fleet Feet NYC training programs include winter and spring half marathon prep, plus 5K training groups for beginners in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Training programs can include:

  • A daily training plan
  • In-person coached workouts
  • Pace group leaders and mentors for long runs
  • Complimentary food and drink at select workouts
  • Brand appearances at select workouts with the chance to demo new shoes
  • A free Fleet Feet team shirt
  • Digital routes and courses
  • Gifts, swag and discounts

For structure, motivation and accountability, train for your next big race with Fleet Feet NYC.

New York City Run Clubs

Group run in NYC with Runner in front stretching arms outward

With hundreds of running clubs throughout NYC, you’ll have no trouble finding a group you vibe with and a schedule that works with yours. We’ve highlighted some of the groups Fleet Feet NYC partners with and sees out and about on a regular basis. Some of these groups are free, some may have a membership fee.

  • Dyckman Run Club runs in the Washington Heights area of northern Manhattan, north of Harlem. Also known as DRC, this group offers a premium membership, a dedicated group chat, access to weekly and biweekly workouts, speed workouts and training programs, and other private events. DRC also offers a free, weekly group run to promote fitness and healthy habits.
  • The New York Flyers is one of the oldest and largest run clubs in NYC with a small-club feel. Group runs take place in Central Park and Prospect Park multiple days per week, plus they host long runs through NYC neighborhoods and training programs throughout the year. New York Flyers long runs and events are open to members and non-members. These are free or discounted for club members. Membership is a little more than the cost to join a single long run, so why not join?
  • North Brooklyn Runners (NBR) is a free running club offering more than 20 runs per week, including easy runs, track workouts, tempo runs and long runs.
  • Streets 101 offers free community runs and a paid membership with access to training plans, coach-led workouts, gear, discounts and more.
  • Part of the NY Road Runners, Central Park Running Club is a free, social run club for athletes who like to have fun. All paces at all distances are welcome, and all workouts are free. The club meets Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at The Loeb Boathouse.
  • Check out the Black Girls RUN! New York chapter for group runs in Manhattan. Not your average running group, the Black Girls RUN! movement encourages and motivates Black women to practice a healthy lifestyle, serving as a fitness resource for runners and gym rats alike. This inclusive running club welcomes all women to gather together and get active. Group runs are free, and occasionally they host special events for a fee.
  • Black Men Run is a national group that encourages health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running to stay fit. Black Men Run’s New York City chapter meets in Brooklyn near the Grand Army Plaza entrance at Prospect Park. They support a wide range of abilities, and their runs are open to everyone from all backgrounds, including first-timers and experienced athletes. Group runs are free and take place on Wednesday night, Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
  • Front Runners New York is NYC’s LGBTQ+ running club. This inclusive running club is for LGBTQ+ people and allies interested in running and walking for pleasure or competition. They meet weekly in Manhattan and Brooklyn for fun runs and offer workouts, long runs and multisport/triathlon training programs for members. If you are new to FRNY or visiting as a member of another Front Runners club, there is no need to become a member to attend weekly fun runs.

Round Out Your Training

  • Midnight Runners is a free social club that takes over New York’s streets at night. This group incorporates cross training during their runs to bring the gym to the pavement.
  • Empire Tri Club is a triathlon training club and coaching resource for athletes of all abilities. Between the club membership, training program participants and digital network, the Empire Tri Club community is 6,000 people strong.
  • November Project NYC brings free fitness and sweaty hugs to the Big Apple. Workouts are Wednesdays at 6:28 p.m. at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park and Fridays at 6:28 a.m. at rotating locations. Check out their calendar for all the details.

Community Support Opportunities

Runners smile for a photo during a group run in New York City.
  • If you’re living in New York and have the desire to donate your time, coaching for Girls on the Run NYC is a great way to meet fellow runners, your co-coaches and kids! The best part? You don’t have to be a running expert to coach for Girls on the Run. Coaches act as role models, using an evidence-based program to empower girls to become healthy and confident young women. At the end of the coaching season, the girls, plus their family and friends, are invited to participate in a celebratory 5K. GOTR NYC serves girls in all five boroughs.
  • Run4Fun gets communities involved with young people through running to support development, inspire and transform their lives. Through elementary, middle and high school years, Run4Fun’s running curriculum teaches teamwork, empathy and holistic wellness.

Fleet Feet NYC: Your Resource for New York City Running

We run local, and we love to share insider tips! Stop by any Fleet Feet NYC location for more information about where to run, training programs and all the latest on popular run clubs across New York City.

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