Best running clubs in Los Angeles

Imagine your feet pounding the pavement with a group of enthusiastic runners, the L.A. skyline basking in the golden hour glow. Los Angeles offers more than just star-studded sidewalks; it’s a runner’s haven with a club for every pace and passion. In the sprawling city where fitness and community intersect, running clubs have become the pulsating heart of the athletic scene.

From the energetic buzz along the coastline to the serene trails embraced by the Hollywood Hills, LA’s running clubs are as varied as the city itself. Here, one can join the novice-friendly L.A. Frontrunners, chase sunset hues with the Venice Run Club, or test their limits with the elite-focused Cal Coast Track Club. Navigating this thriving ecosystem promises not only improved fitness but a kinship forged in sweat and endurance.

This article is your starting block for exploring the best running clubs in Los Angeles. Whether you seek the camaraderie of a group jog, structured training, or the thrill of competition – discover the club that resonates with your running ambitions and your lifestyle. Welcome to the vibrant community where your next running adventure begins.

Overview of the running club scene in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a runner’s paradise, hosting an array of running clubs that cater to a diverse community of runners from all walks of life. Thanks to its exceptional weather, picturesque beaches, and rugged trails, LA enables running enthusiasts to train year-round. Clubs spread across the city, like the prominent ones in Santa Monica and Griffith Park, offer tailored training programs suited for every level, be it beginners or elite runners. The trail runners have their haven too, traversing the scenic routes of Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica Mountains.

Running clubs in LA go beyond just workouts; they are hubs for social interaction and accountability, bringing together individuals to form a vibrant community of runners. Whether you’re a seasoned ultramarathoner or just stepping onto the San Vicente boulevard for your first run, there’s a spot on the totem pole for you. They keep members engaged with track workouts, upcoming race prep, and even social events, ensuring a well-rounded experience. These clubs, such as the Club Ed and Cal Coast Track Club, not only help improve fitness levels but also connect school coaches, trail blazers, and even single persons looking for a supportive group to share their passion for running.

L.A. Running Clubs

In the sprawling city of Los Angeles, you’ll find a treasure trove of running clubs, each with its unique vibe and specialization. From picturesque trail runs that offer a full-body challenge to clubs that turn Hollywood’s iconic landmarks into a runner’s stomping ground, the variety is as vast as the city itself. Here are some running clubs that make the Los Angeles running scene vibrant and inclusive.

L.A. Cinephile Run Club

Immerse yourself in the magic of the movies while stretching your legs with the L.A. Cinephile Run Club. Founded by Sean Johnson with tours of iconic film locations like those from Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” this club takes a cinematic twist on the conventional running group. Tailor-made for film buffs, members often dress up and reenact scenes, creating memorable running experiences against the backdrop of Tinseltown. While competitive running takes a backseat here, camaraderie and film appreciation reign supreme.

Hollywood Run Club

Whether you’re just starting or getting back into the rhythm, the Hollywood Run Club is your go-to for a supportive and sociable running experience. With gatherings on Tuesday nights for leisurely jogs followed by socializing in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, the club is all about fostering friendships and fitness. Emphasizing inclusivity and encouragement, this beginner-friendly club is perfect for those developing their passion for running or for those simply wanting to enjoy the communal aspect of the sport.

Track Club LA

As a USATF member club, Track Club LA goes the competitive distance, offering vigorous training programs and serving runners eager to up their game. Attend their track workouts, get fit for local races like the ever-popular LA Marathon, and perhaps win recognition for your efforts. Their detailed online updates ensure members are always in the loop with upcoming activities and events, making it a cohesive community for those with a competitive streak.

Venice Run Club

Anchored in a mission for social justice and born amidst the tumult of 2020, the Venice Run Club quickly rose to prominence, raising funds for police reform and creating the nonprofit 48 for Change. With its captivating Mobbin Wednesday run, participants gather in hundreds, turning the Venice canals and boardwalk into a sea of shared passion, fitness, and community activism. From the casual jogger to the committed racer, everyone finds their place here, and with their mammoth gatherings, Venice Run Club is a testimonial to the power of running as a collective force.

L.A. Frontrunners

L.A. Frontrunners extends a warm welcome to LGBTQ individuals and their allies, offering a safe space where health, camaraderie, and friendly competition converge. More than a running club, it’s a social collective that hosts everything from picnics to the annual chili cook-off. Their runs traverse the most scenic spots in LA, from Griffith Park to Santa Monica’s vistas, nurturing a spirit of inclusiveness and diversity that goes well beyond the track.

Cal Coast Track Club

The Cal Coast Track Club takes pride in embracing run enthusiasts of all stripes – from the recreational walker to the focused pace-setter. Training along the panoramic Southern California coast, the club’s members come together to improve, compete, and oftentimes, to simply savor the joy of running. Their open-door policy during their Newport Beach and Irvine training sessions reflects their commitment to fostering an environment where anyone can pursue their personal best.

Club Ed

For those seeking a sense of history and tradition in their running club, look no further than Club Ed Running, with its three-decade legacy. Founding professor Ed Avol leads runners through a tapestry of South Bay locations, offering everything from relaxed beach runs to more challenging track sessions. With their open invitation for trial sessions, Club Ed embodies the spirit of inclusivity, recognizing that everyone—from moms on morning jogs to dedicated marathoners—deserves a supportive running community.

Club Northwest

Taking their competitive edge to a national level, Club Northwest’s members don’t just partake in your usual races—they take part in a masterful blend of speed and suds, known as beer-chugging events. With their close-knit community, combined talents, and balance of fun, this club stands out as a prime destination for master runners seeking both glory and good times.

California Trail Runners Club

Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts will find themselves at home with the California Trail Runners Club. Their non-competitive stance emphasizes the beauty of the trail experience over the finish line. Sunday mornings become an exploration of the region’s most beautiful landscapes, away from the crowds and under the early sun, bringing together a community that values health, balance, and the unparalleled freedom of trail running.

Whether seeking conviviality, competition, or a cause, the varied tapestry of L.A.’s running clubs welcomes one and all, ensuring that every stride you take is in good company.

Benefits of Joining a Running Club

Joining a running club in Los Angeles, or anywhere else for that matter, offers a plethora of benefits that can enhance both your running journey and personal life. Diving into a community of runners enriches the solitary act of running with social connections and mutual encouragement. It’s more than just clocking miles; it’s about sharing experiences and goals, which in turn provides accountability and motivation.

Such clubs often boast tailored training programs, which cater to runners across the fitness spectrum. Whether aiming for a 5k or an ultramarathon, these training schedules are instrumental in bettering your performance. Coaching guidance ensures that your technique is refined, contributing to your overall runner’s efficiency.

Beyond the physical aspect, running clubs help forge a supportive atmosphere through regular group runs, social events, and shared knowledge on running essentials like injury prevention and race tactics. This sense of belonging is invaluable for both novice joggers and elite trail blazers.

Being part of a running group also means accessing a rich vein of information from fellow athletes and potentially seasoned school coaches. It’s a forum for learning, where inquiries about upcoming races or tips for faster recovery are welcome. And it doesn’t hurt that post-run gatherings often come with refreshments and camaraderie. In a nutshell, a running club is a community that nurtures growth for all its members.

Training Programs and Workouts

Los Angeles boasts an array of running clubs with diverse training programs and workouts designed to help runners of all levels achieve their fitness and racing goals. Whether you’re training for a marathon or seeking a casual running group, LA’s clubs provide structured workouts along scenic paths, expert coaching, and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts.

The LA Leggers is well-known for their marathon and half marathon training programs. The club also engages members with year-round activities to keep your running schedule full and diverse. For those seeking ocean views during their runs, the LA Running Club provides a 31-week intensive training program along the picturesque route between Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey.

Triathletes or those interested in multisport disciplines can turn to the LA Tri Club, which has a staggering membership of over 1,600. The club offers weekly workouts, clinics, seminars, and coached activities, ensuring your training is comprehensive. Social events are also part of the package, perfect for networking within the triathlon community.

Beginners or those who prefer a more inclusive atmosphere might find their stride with Club Ed running group. Offering various training sessions throughout the week, Club Ed features a diverse membership that welcomes runners regardless of experience. Venice Run Club extends the workout variety with their track sessions at Culver City High School, Mobbin sessions, and weekend long runs, meeting at 2150 Dell Ave.

Training Programs for Beginners

If you’re new to the running scene, clubs like the L.A. Leggers offer not only marathon training but also focus on fitness and social facets, accommodating those who run for well-being and community. Coyote Running offers a refreshing setting for your runs with free trail runs every Thursday around the Santa Monica Mountains, welcoming both dog-lovers and aspiring trail runners.

The Los Angeles Running Club delivers a gamut of year-round training runs to help beginners start off on the right foot. Its offerings include interval training track nights, ensuring that new runners can build up their speed and endurance gradually. Additionally, the club incorporates social activities to blend fun with fitness.

For those targeting a maiden marathon, the LA Roadrunners’ six-month official ASICS LA Marathon training program is a great choice. It offers a range of pace groups and a rich resource of training guides and online tips for registrants. Club Ed Running, on the other hand, appeals to runners of all levels around Los Angeles South Bay with diverse distance options during their weekly gatherings.

Elite Training Programs

Serious runners seeking to elevate their performance can engage with elite programs like those offered by the LA Running Club. With a variety of activities such as gait analysis and an ultra training group, members receive specialized training along with race-entry discounts and high-quality coaching sessions.

LA Frontrunners cater to competitive runners with their Grand Prix series, ranking individuals’ performances over the year, and also organize a Pride Run. This club provides a dedicated running and walking regimen coupled with competitive outlets for motivated athletes.

Members of elite programs also enjoy exclusive perks and partnerships, including nutrition support from complementary brands and gear incentives to enhance their training experience. For instance, the LA Running Club’s partnership with The Feed helps provide tailored nutrition to meet the demanding requirements of high-performance runners.

Track Workouts

Track workouts are paramount for those looking to improve their speed and form. The Skid Row Running Club in downtown L.A. offers a platform for intense track sessions every Wednesday evening. Similarly, L.A. Frontrunners and the L.A. Running Club open their tracks to members seeking to incorporate interval training into their routines.

For a coastal touch, the Cal Coast Track Club meets at Corona del Mar High School weekly, allowing members to push their pace in a supportive and structured environment. Meanwhile, Los Feliz Flyers’ Wednesday track workouts at CalTech are perfect for those aiming to mingle speed training with scientific precision.

Mountain and Trail Running

Trail running in Los Angeles offers an escape to nature, engaging more than just your legs. The Santa Monica Mountain Goats, esteemed for their longevity in the SoCal trail running scene, meet regularly, providing runners with a challenging yet invigorating off-road experience.

Sundays usher in peaceful mornings ideal for trail running, where the serenity of dawn paired with undisturbed wildlife can turn a regular run into a revitalizing adventure. Engaging different terrains ensures that trail runners work a broader range of muscle groups compared to road running, resulting in a holistic and robust workout.

Road Running

The LA Road Runners epitomize road running in the city, standing as the official training group for the ASICS LA Marathon. Seeking to address a spectrum of goals and abilities, their range of pace groups covers mile times from an ambitious 8 minutes to a more comfortable 16 minutes. Though the marathon registration isn’t included in the membership fee, the plethora of resources provided, from training guides to nutritional advice, is invaluable for runners committed to completing the 26.2-mile challenge.

Community and Social Events

Los Angeles isn’t just a city where individuals come to chase dreams of stardom; it’s also a community where runners find their tribe. The convergence of fitness and fellowship can be seen in the many running clubs across LA that offer more than just training plans—they are hubs for social interaction and community involvement.

The Glendora Ridge Runners embody this spirit with weekly events designed to challenge members with speed training and long runs, nurturing both their competitive edge and social connections. Similarly, the Los Feliz Flyers offer affordability and camaraderie, with low yearly dues complementing their rigorous track and tempo workouts.

Electric Flight Crew is redefining what it means to be a running club. With their emphasis on post-workout social opportunities, the EFC has expanded the concept of a workout group into an immersive lifestyle choice featuring fitness parties in partnership with LA’s boutique studios. Meanwhile, the venerable LA Leggers, since 1989, has been at the forefront of forging a tight-knit community for walkers and runners of all paces, engaging members in upcoming events and creating an inclusive environment for all.

One club that stands out for its social impact is the Skid Row Running Club, which reaches out to those experiencing homelessness or addictions. The club is a testament to the power of running to instill resilience, strength, and renewed purpose through goal-setting and mutual support.

Social Events and Gatherings

Running clubs in Los Angeles are known not just for their physical training but also for their rich social tapestry. The LA Running Club merges fitness with fun, organizing events that run the gamut from group runs to lively social activities that foster a robust sense of community among the Southern Californian running cohort.

No club perhaps embodies the work-hard-play-hard ethos better than the Electric Flight Crew. With their signature No-Shower Happy Hours, they showcase the quintessential LA lifestyle, where workout outpourings effortlessly transition into evenings of socializing with their 700-strong membership base. Additionally, they elevate the social scene with their biweekly fitness soirees that draw members to explore various boutique studios around the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles.

For those who appreciate a dash of culture with their cardio, the L.A. Cinephile Run Club is a unique choice. Their outings transform the act of running into a cinematic experience—complete with selfie stops—and help participants connect meaningfully with the iconic city backdrop.

Charity Runs and Fundraisers

Running clubs in Los Angeles go beyond personal fitness and foster a culture of philanthropy within the community. LA Frontrunners, well-known for their inclusive approach, lead the pack in charitable engagement, with their members participating in fundraisers and traveling to runs that support various causes. The camaraderie extends to social dining events, including a highly anticipated annual chili cook-off.

Similarly, the LA Running Club blends athleticism with altruism, offering runners a platform to participate in charity fundraisers. This encourages members to run not just for their own health but also for the health of their community, showing that LA’s running clubs are about more than personal bests—they’re also about giving back.

Races and Competitions

Races and competitions are the benchmarks of progression and the excitement that fuels the running community’s spirit. Los Angeles serves as the host to a variety of competition levels, encompassing both national and local races from the marathon in downtown LA to the Long Beach half-marathon.

The LA Running Club enriches the lives of its members with consistent, year-round training aimed at preparing runners for these various events. Alongside its affordable annual dues, the club bridges the gap between training and competition, creating an ecosystem where participating in races is a shared and cherished experience.

For runners who value personal growth and the power of solidarity, the Skid Row Running Club exemplifies perseverance and ambition, setting the stage with their compelling group story for every race they enter. Meanwhile, events like the Los Angeles Marathon and the Will Rogers July 4th 5K/10K provide a showcase for other clubs like Track Club LA, where race results are cataloged, reflecting the members’ hard work and dedication.

Inclusivity thrives among the city’s runners, as evidenced by the L.A. Frontrunners. Their uplifting approach ensures individuals from all walks of life and fitness levels can participate in races, whether it’s a sprint in Griffith Park or a marathon alongside the storied streets of Pasadena, reinforcing how the city’s running scene truly embraces every runner.

Personal Testimonials

Personal Testimonials

The running scene in Los Angeles buzzes with energy, largely due to the thriving communities within top-notch running clubs. One such hub is the LA Leggers, where Santa Monica’s ocean breeze propels the spirits of runners and walkers every Saturday morning. Members rave about the inspiration they find in the group’s supportive environment. It’s a place where fitness levels span all walks of life, allowing everyone to find their place on the totem pole.

Similarly, testimonials from the LA Running Club’s participants highlight the group’s welcoming nature. It’s not just a club; it’s a mosaic of faces and paces, where elite runners share the track with beginners, and school coaches engage with trail runners preparing for the next big race. The interval training sessions are a hit, offering a training program that caters to the dedicated competitor and the social runner alike.

Members emphasize the clubs’ role in their progress, not just physically but socially. The clubs’ social events knit the members closer, creating not just a fitness community but a group of friends. Those who join leave with an expanded support network, fitness gains, and memories of crossing finish lines together.