The 16 best running clubs in Melbourne

We had to start this list with Parkrun – arguably the most famous running club worldwide. This free, weekly 5km run takes place on Saturday mornings in about 40 parks and open spaces across Melbourne, from Albert Park to Sunbury. It’s all about creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming environment, so there’s no time limit and no one finishes last. All walkers, joggers and spectators are welcome. Some locations also have a Sunday morning 2km junior parkrun for kids aged four to 14 and their families. 

When: Weekly, Saturdays at 8am
Where: Various locations across Melbourne

Need to know: Parkrun is free but you need to register to get your barcode

Love the Run is supportive running club catering to a range of abilities and a variety of distances. Whether you’re an elite athlete or just trying to finish the course non-stop, runners will benefit from the in-group coaching, post-run cool down and social environment. The first three sessions are free, followed by a $5 fee for each subsequent run. They also hold 'Trackrun', a free 5000m timed event around once a month. 

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6pm and Fridays at 5.30am 
Where: Clifton Hill locations

Need to know: Free for first 3 sessions; $5 each session thereafter

With a +100-year history, Richmond Harriers is a well-established community running club. Catering for everyone from beginners to the more experienced (and competitive) runners, it has coaches and regular training sessions. Newbies are encouraged to try out the Wednesday evening run, before branching out to the distance groups. The club also holds their own races, distance training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a range of social events and a youth group for aspiring runners aged eight to 14. 

When: Weekly on Wednesdays at 6pm
Where: Cnr Gleadell St & Highett St, Richmond

Need to know: Membership goes from April 1 until March 31

As the named suggests, members of the Melbourne Midday Milers meet around mid-day – at 12:30pm to be precise. Stationed at one of Melbourne’s most iconic exercise spots, the Tan Track near Flinders St station, members use their lunch breaks for group training, sprints, races and paced circuits. For a yearly fee of $37.50, city workers really can’t go wrong with this group.  

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.30pm
Where: The 'Pillars of Wisdom' at the Tan Running Track

Need to know: Membership runs from April 1 to March 31

Originally, Gunn Runners met at the Gunn Island Hotel once a week for a simple "run and a beer" This South Melbourne club claims to be "Melbourne’s most social running group" – and with each run followed by a sponsored drink from the Limerick Arms Hotel, it’s easy to see why. All abilities are welcome to join the 3.5km or 5km timed circuit around Albert Park Lake. The first run is free and then costs $5.  

When: Every Tuesday from 6pm for a 6:30pm start
Where: Meet at Limerick Arms Hotel in South Melbourne before walking to Albert Park Lake. 

Need to know: The Limerick Arms sponsors a free drink for each runner. 

This uber-cool inner-city running club has a focus on the hospitality industry, aiming to provide a safe and healthy release from the everyday grind. Started by chef and mental-health advocate George Wintle to provide a healthy outlet for his hospo peers, it's now open to all. The run involves two laps of Carlton Gardens at a sociable five minutes per kilometre pace, with multiple regroup points so no one is left behind. A post-run coffee is provided on the house by Maap LAB in Collingwood. Best of all, it's free to join. Check out their Instagram profile here. 

When: Fortnightly on Wednesdays at 7am
Where: Maap LAB in Collingwood

Need to know: Free coffee after your run

Promoting inclusion in athletics, Achilles Melbourne is the city’s premier not-for-profit running club for people with a disability. Regular sessions are held at the iconic Tan running track, with volunteer runners guiding athletes with vision impairment and physical disabilities to run or walk at their pace and achieve their individual fitness goals. The group also hold weekly strength and conditioning training sessions for members every Wednesday at 6:15pm. A yearly payment of $30 is required, which includes a running t-shirt.  

When: Every Sunday at 8:30am
Where: Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda at the Tan Running Track

Need to know: Volunteers can assist with guiding athletes with vision impairment to run/walk, look after guide dogs and run/walk with athletes at events

Runners at Melbourne Pack get access to a full-time Olympic-level coach, Sean Williams, who is available around the clock to help all abilities, from those working on running their first 1km non-stop to those wanting to finish quicker at the pointy end of a race. Most sessions include a warm-up, stretching, drills, strides, speed work and a cool-down.  

When: Weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.30am and 5pm, Wednesdays at 6am, Saturdays and Sundays at 8am
Where: 2/33 Munro Ave, Edithvale

Need to know: Focus on injury-free training 

This community running club operates in a similar way to your mum’s book club – it’s all about the chat and the coffee. The non-competitive group departs bright and early from Carlton, before settling in for a post-run coffee. The Wednesday run has a different workout each week, while the Sunday offering consists of two groups running at different paces, usually tackling upwards of 15km. Regular social gatherings and challenges are also scheduled throughout the year. Check out their Instagram profile here. 

When: Every Wednesday at 6:30am and Sunday at 7:30am
Where: 140 Rathdowne St, Carlton

Need to know: Enjoy a post-run coffee from Fenton Farmhouse

Melbourne Frontrunners is inclusive running and walking club that brings together members of the LGBTIQ+ community and allies. It's open to everyone regardless of ability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. Runs take place across Melbourne’s most iconic locations, including the Tan, Albert Park Lake, Princes Park and Footscray Wharf, with post-run coffees after some sessions. Find out more here. 

When: Every Tuesday at 6:30am, Wednesday at 6:30pm, Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30am 
Locations: Various across Melbourne

Need to know: Your first three sessions are free

Runners of all abilities are welcome at this group, which has middle-distance, endurance and sprints options, as well as a junior development squad, female-only training and a return to running program. The friendly and inclusive club counts Olympic medal winners, Australian record holders and Commonwealth Games representatives among its alumni. Plus, for something a bit different, you can also try out pole vaulting with the club’s qualified coaches. Find out more here. 

When: various times
Where: Harold Stevens Athletics Track, Coburg North

If Melbourne’s unpredictable weather has made you question leaving the house to go for a run, then you’ll love Run Club. With a variety of structured indoor running classes on offer, you can build your speed, strength, endurance and overall health and fitness without worrying about the weather forecast. Classes are friendly, supportive and suitable for all running levels. An introductory offer of 5 classes for $49 is available for newbies. The studio also offers reformer pilates classes to complement your run. Find out more here. 

When: Daily, various times
Where: 98-100 Chestnut Street, Cremorne

This highly popular running club supports its members to develop healthy habits through consistency. The club’s structured offering involves a track session at Olympic Park oval on Wednesdays; laps of the Tan on Saturdays; and a long run on Sundays. It often teams up with like-minded organisations to host fun social events, and if you’re in need of a running fix while holidaying in NZ, there’s a Queenstown outpost too. Find out more here. 

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 6am, Sundays at 6.30am

Where: South Yarra locations

Nthside Collective puts community first. Its weekly Friday run is all about connection, with an after-work social run of up to 7km that’s open to all paces and abilities. The group starts and finishes at Brunswick’s Inner North Brewing and promises no drinks will be poured until everyone crosses the finish line. If you’re looking for something more structured, try the free Thursday group training session, which is focused on endurance and includes physio-led drills to improve performance. Find out more here. 

When: Thursdays at 6am, Fridays at 5.45pm

Where: Princes Hill Tennis Club and Inner North Brewing in Brunswick

Strava fans will love Femmi, the first running app designed for women – with plans that align with your menstrual cycle, personalised guidance suited to your physiology, and a movement of empowered women. On Femmi Friday, women are invited to take part in a free run to connect with the Femmi community. The Melbourne outpost offers 3km and 5km options that stick to a gentle pace between six and six and a half minutes per km, followed by a coffee and chat. Find out more here. 

When: Fridays at 7am

Where: Meet at Into Coffee in Collingwood.

This isn’t a run club for the faint-hearted. Hunter Athletics isn’t as socially-focused as others on this list, instead providing a supportive environment for those looking to train hard. The Track Tuesdays sessions are particularly legendary, with over 100 people pushing each other to better their form, endurance and speed. If that sounds too intimidating, ease yourself in with an easier 6km loop and post-run coffee on offer monthly. Meanwhile, HNTR Trail is perfect for those passionate about running off-road. Find out more here. 

When: Tuesdays at 6am

Where: Olympic Park, Melbourne.