If you know anything about the running scene in the capital, London City Runners is probably on your radar. Free and not affiliated with a brand, it’s the largest of its kind in the city. Its aim: to make running as fun and accessible to everyone as possible – from beginners to seasoned pros, with multiple routes available. Main weekly runs are along the river, but there are also overseas excursions for the more adventurous to places like the Algarve and Menorca. Overall, this is a welcoming and friendly club with plenty of socials to get stuck into back at its clubhouse – conveniently located along the Bermondsey Beer Mile. 

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For those in the know, Marylebone’s Tracksmith is the place to go and get your running gear. It stocks everything you could need to manage a terrain and weather condition, all with style, of course. Led by community manager Amritpal Ghatoro, there are weekly free training runs and workouts, and other events to get involved in. Plus, Strava users can keep up to date with the club on Tracksmith’s profile. 

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Created in partnership with the Mandarin Oriental hotel, bio-based brand Zen Running Club and the movement health specialists at Moventum, Hyde Park Runners is a luxe running club. Led by ultra-marathon runner Kieran Alger, the club offers two free-of-charge monthly runs around the park, with refreshments back at the hotel. There are also hosted and themed runs to get involved in. The club is relatively new, having kicked off at the end of last year, but we imagine it will pick up once Hyde Park is back in its full summertime glory.

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Creed, culture and cadence don’t matter. Run Dem Crew is accepting of all. Founded in 2007 by DJ and poet Charlie Dark, it’s a bit of an antidote to more traditional running clubs. There’s a focus on family and community, with mentoring initiatives — like Run Dem Crew Youngers – to help uplift the next generation. No one gets left behind, in more ways than one. The club rolls music culture, youth culture, community, art and running into high-octane runs and good vibes. The crew started as a Tuesday night run in Shoreditch, but now has sessions in Stratford, Bank and Old Street in collaboration with Gymbox – just roll up. Runs start from £5.

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London Frontrunners is an LGBTQ+ running group that welcomes allies too. It’s part of the International Front Runners group, a sprawling network of LGBTQ+ run clubs all over the world. From occasional joggers to come-rain-or-shine cross-country athletes, it caters to all preferences on pace and distance – there’s always someone to buddy up with. They host runs four times a week in London’s most scenic green spaces, including Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, and along the South Bank. There are also training and coaching sessions at Primrose Hill on a Wednesday, and at Mile End Stadium on a Tuesday. But it's not all about running, the social aspect of this group is heavy – brunches, dinners and drinks are always on the cards. Its London Marathon parties are one for the calendar, as is the international trip every autumn. 

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Good Gym was founded out of a frustration with the isolating nature of fitness, especially in cities – go to the gym, put your headphones in and don’t speak to anyone. While that may work for some, Good Gym wanted to make running about fostering a community as well as helping those in it. From making social visits to isolated older people to planting trees, it’s about getting stuck in. Through shared miles, and cups of tea, its members are making a tangible difference one foot at a time.

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