Free Run Clubs in Boston
You can get those leg muscles by taking up running. Photo via Shutterstock
There’s no doubt about it: Boston is a runner’s city. But if pounding the pavement solo doesn’t appeal to you, think about joining one of the city’s numerous free running groups. It could be just the dose of motivation and camaraderie you need to take your workout to the next level.
The Most Informal Running Club Ever
Not super serious about running? No problem. As the name suggests, even the most casual of runners can drop by for any of this club’s weekly runs—Monday the group joins Lululemon’s run club, Tuesday is for track workouts, and Saturday is a run followed by a breakfast potluck— with no commitment or RSVP required.
Free, Mondays, 6 p.m., Lululemon Prudential Center, 766 Boylston St., 617-262-2030; Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., McCurdy Track, 65 North Harvard St., 617-384-8426; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., City Sports at BU, 1035 Commonwealth Ave., 617-782-5121; boston.informalrunning.com
Nike + Run Club
A run club with outposts all over the country, this group is open to athletes of all skill levels. Participants have the option of going for either a three and half or a five-mile jaunt.
Free, Mondays, 6:30 p.m., Niketown Boston, 200 Newbury St.; meetup.com/Niketown-Boston-Run-Club/
South End Athletic Company/Heartbreak Hill Running Company
This run club meets year-round, and offers a variety of different routes and workouts for runners of all abilities to choose from. Thursday runs, which are five miles in total, include speed work and plyometric drills; Saturday meet-ups are six- or 10- mile distance runs; and on Wednesday, runners take on Heartbreak Hill (gulp).
Free, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., 652 Tremont St., 617-391-0897; Saturdays, 10 a.m., 652 Tremont St., 617-391-0897; Wednesdays, 7 p.m., 638 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, 617-467-4487; southendathleticcompany.com
Marathon Sports
Head to the Boston, Brookline, or Wellesley Marathon Sports locations each Wednesday evening for three- to five- mile loops. The store will track your mileage for you, and, for an extra incentive, when you hit significant milestones, you’ll be eligible for merchandise discounts, free gear, and other prizes.
Free, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Marathon Sports, 671 Boylston St., Boston, 617-267-4774 ; 1638 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-735-9373; 255 Washington St., Wellesley, 781-237-0771; marathonsports.com
City Sports
Rain or shine, this run club meets every Tuesday for a fun-filled, all runners welcome outing.
Free, Tuesdays, 6 p.m., City Sports Back Bay, 480 Boylston St., 617-267-3900; citysportsblog.com
South Boston Running Emporium
SBRE caters to whatever fitness goal you may have with its two free run clubs. On Wednesdays, runners of all intensities can participate in a three- or five- mile “Fun Run” complete with raffle prizes, free drinks, and scenic routes. Or, if you’re looking to crank up the intensity, head over on Saturday for a more structured four- or five- mile training run.
Free, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. or Saturdays 8 a.m., South Boston Running Emporium, 343 West Broadway, 617-464-7272; runningemporium.com
Do you know of any other free running groups in town? Tell us is the comments and be added to the list!
