We know what you’re thinking – hasn't CityMag written about Adelaide’s best run clubs before? Right you are, but now we're back with a rerun!
May 22, 2024
Habits
The best places in Adelaide to start running
Some of our favourite run clubs have called it quits while some new faces have popped up, so we thought it was time to deliver our new (and improved) go-to list of Adelaide’s best run clubs.
Remarks
What’s your favourite Adelaide running club?
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Especially now that CityMag is on Tik Tok, where run clubs have become the new “thing”. Some are even likening them to an alternative to dating apps. Whether you are looking to meet new people (friends or otherwise), get some regular exercise, or just plain boost those endorphins, CityMag has hand-picked 15 run clubs from around the city, ready and waiting for runners of all speeds.
So set that alarm, get those sneakers on, and come on down!
I Don’t Run Club
The I Don’t Run Club is the perfect match for people who want to join a run club for the social connection, rather than to train for a marathon. Founded in October 2022, the club refer to themselves as “a run club for the ones who ‘don’t run’”. With runs every Tuesday and Thursday night, furry friends and walkers are all welcome, with the group known to kick on with post-run CBD dinner. The group runs every Tuesday from the Adelaide University footbridge at 6:45pm, and every Thursday at the Uni Loop at 5:30pm. Perfect for that post-work CBD run.
Unley Run Club
Having celebrated their first birthday in March, the Unley Run Club runs 5, 6 and 10km distances, followed by coffee at Unley Social. Meeting at the café on King William Rd, the group head off for 6km runs at 7am Saturdays, and 5 or 10km journeys nice and early Wednesday mornings at 6. The group says their Saturday runs are perfect for runners of all talents, with an average 5:30-6 minutes per kilometre pace. Though they say their Wednesday runs are a little faster (at 5:10-5:25 minutes), all are still welcome, with an assurance you will not be left behind.
Social Run Co
Founded in 2021, Social Run Co offers a slight sleep in as a point of difference, meeting every Sunday at 8am at JMR, Somerton Park. Choose from 6, 10, or 15km, as the group runs from Somerton Park to West Beach and back. With a post-run coffee and swim strongly encouraged, this is the perfect run club for all you beach lovers. Especially as the weather cools down, post-run is the perfect opportunity to get your swim in without freezing in the increasingly cold waves.
Connect:
Instagram
Women’s Recreational running network
The Women’s Recreational Running Network (WRRN) is a perfect pairing between Running SA and the Adelaide City Council, with a joint goal of activating under-utilised city parks and providing a safe environment for women to exercise. The group advertises themselves as the perfect place for all runners, but especially welcomes anyone new to the sport. With five runs on offer through each week, WRRN meets on the corner of East and South Terrace Mondays at 6pm, at the University of Adelaide footbridge Tuesdays at 5:15pm, on the corner of East Terrace and Halifax Street Wednesday at 6pm, again at the footbridge on Thursday nights at 5:15, and finally on Sunday mornings at 8 at the Bonython Park kiosk for longer runs.
Stride Run club
Offering both early morning and evening runs, Stride Run Club runs distances of 3, 5, 8 and 10km. The group start and end at Mascavado café and patisserie on Hutt Street Friday and Sunday mornings (6am and 8am, respectively), in case you need the promise of a pastry to get you out of bed. Their night-time runs leave from Victoria Park East Terrace entrance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, all at 6pm. Come for the run, stay for the cool film pics snapped of said run (or for the morning pastries).
Connect:
Instagram
Adelaide Running Crew
Founded in 2009, the Adelaide Running Crew has long been one of the premier social running communities in the city. Meeting on Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturday at 8am, the ARC is the club for those who don’t have the time in the mornings throughout the week to get their run on. The Saturday morning runs take place all over Adelaide and range from 10 to 20 kilometres, followed by breakfast at a local café to wind down.
Connect:
Website
Facebook Group
Brighton Run Club
Further south, the Brighton Run Club meets every Monday at 6:30am at the Brighton Jetty, to shake off the cobwebs of the weekend and start the week off right. Beginning late last year, the BRC has quickly grown into one of the most popular social running clubs in Adelaide, thanks to its beachside location and community emphasis. Choose between three- and five-kilometre runs, and stop afterwards for coffee and recovery at a local café. Runners are encouraged to bring their dogs along as well.
Connect:
Instagram
Fun Run Club
Most run clubs end at a café, but this one began with a café, coming as a collaboration between east-side gym The Fit Space and Cheeky Grin Coffee. At 7:30am each Saturday, runners take off from Cheeky Grin, located at 74a Gage Street in Firle, for a three- to four-kilometre run around the neighbourhood. It’s open to runners of all levels of experience, with the main aim to facilitate conversation and connection between attendees. Once the run is over, stick around for a coffee at Cheeky Grin.
Connect with Cheeky Grin:
Instagram
Facebook
Connect with The Fit Space:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Mikkeller Running Club
A surprising number of sports pair well with beer – football, cycling, and, apparently, running. World-famous Danish brewery Mikkeller has a run club with chapters all over the place, including here in Adelaide. There’s no information on the local Mikkeller Running Club on the website, but there is a Facebook and Instagram account which is regularly updated. The group hosts five-kilometre runs on the first Saturday (from Gilbert Street Hotel) and third Thursday of every month (starting at Brightstar Brewing). Post-run cool-down happens at the bar, beer in hand.
Parkrun
On top of being a global community, Parkrun is a free, weekly, local five-kilometre run, which takes places in several locations across Adelaide (and the country) every Saturday at 8am. There are three Parkruns in the CBD and North Adelaide (Nantu Wama, Torrens and Pakapakanthi), but pretty much wherever you find yourself within metro Adelaide and surrounds, there’s a nearby run in which to partake: Cleland, West Beach, Glenelg, Gawler, Nuriootpa, Seacliff, Mount Gambier. Once you’re inducted into the Parkrun cult, you’ll pack running shoes for every holiday.
Connect:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Prospect Run Club
If you are looking for a more casual approach to getting fit, the Prospect Run Club’s motto of “running for no reason” surely appeals. The Prospect Run Club meets on Tuesdays at 5am and Fridays at 5:30am for the early bird looking to get the most out of their day. After engaging in either a six- or ten-kilometre grind, the club meets at Cotto for a post-run coffee and chat.
Connect:
Instagram
RunAsOne
Once you’ve caught the running bug, the pursuit of incremental improvement becomes an obsession. There will come a time, though, when you hit a wall. At this point, you’ll probably start looking for a coach. And when you do, you’ll come across RunAsOne. Founded by local Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle and Riley Cocks, RunAsOne offers individual coaching, and they also meet for group sessions at Pakapakanthi Victoria Park at 6:30am on Tuesdays and Fridays. Membership is required for participation, with three levels on offer. See the website for more info.
Connect:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
The Run Club
For those living closer to the CBD, The Run Club is aptly named as a conveniently central running community. The Run Club meets every Thursday at 6am, and though the one-kilometre intervals may be gruelling, they welcome anyone – including first-time runners – to join the team. Meeting at the Uni Loop, The Run Club offers a tranquil glimpse of the gorgeous Adelaide parklands before the hustle and bustle of the working day begins.
Connect:
Instagram
Facebook Group
South Australian Road Runners Club
With the Adelaide marathon as its flagship event, the South Australian Road Runners Club has been around for more than 40 years and is one of the largest member-based running clubs in South Australia. The club holds group runs around metro Adelaide on every day except Monday, and its events cater to runners of varying experience levels – from five-kilometre runners to those who enjoy enduring ultra runs. Though beginning running can be daunting, the SARRC provides a 12-week course for beginner runners that aims to foster confidence and provide support to runners in the first step of their fitness journey.
Connect:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Trail Running SA
Sometimes running for the sake of a faster time or longer distance is not enough. Sometimes you’ll want to push yourself into new types of terrain. For this, get in touch with Trail Running SA – a club founded in 2014 to connect likeminded adventurers. These runs are not for the faint of heart. In addition to being on off-road terrain, they’re generally 10 kilometres or longer – aside from the occasional recovery run. TRSA holds social runs during the week, and they also host more formal events throughout the year. Keep an eye on the group’s social media for updates.
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