Groups and Clubs
Manchester Running Clubs
The thought of joining a running club can be daunting. What if I’m too slow? I don’t know enough about running. I’m time poor – I can’t fit a club meet my schedule!
Running clubs are in fact friendly, welcoming places where many beginner or amateur runners have thrived and never looked back. There is no pressure to attend every session, and they will help you get the most out of your training for events such as the adidas Manchester Marathon. You can also make friends and socialise after a busy day; challenge yourself and get fitter through structured sessions; explore new routes to keep your training interesting; and hear about great new events to sign up to (or better yet, enter a relay with your new club members!)
So, we reached out to running clubs in and around Manchester to see which ones are after new members, just like you. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner, there is a club for you. Check out the offerings below for some inspiration and see you on a club night!
MileShyClub
Location: Trafford
Club members: 3,243
MileShyClub specialises in absolute beginners which is why their ethos is "No one gets left behind". They run several Couch To 5K programs a year which end with a graduation parkrun where the MileShy community come together to celebrate their newest runners.
Oldham & Royton Harriers
Location: Chadderton, Oldham
Club members: 189
Founded in 1898, Oldham & Royton Harriers are a Club with a long tradition for being a friendly, family club that looks after it’s runners from beginners to more serious racers.
East Cheshire Harriers
Location: Ashton Under Lyne (Richmond Street)
Club members: 210
East Cheshire Harriers and Tameside Athletics Club is over 100 years old with a long and distinguished history.
Manchester YMCA Harriers
Location: Castlefield
Club members: 60
Based at the Y Club in Castlefield in the heart of the city centre, Manchester YMCA Harriers are one of the oldest running clubs in the country and, we like to think, one of the friendliest.
Swinton Running Club
Location: Swinton
We are a friendly running club based in Swinton, Salford and welcome anyone over 18 years of age to come down and join us for a run.
We meet on Monday and Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.
Manchester Harriers & Athletic Club
Location: Wythenshawe
Club members: 350
Manchester Harriers & Athletic Club is one of the oldest athletic clubs in the country, founded in 1886. We now train at both Sportcity and Wythenshawe park.
Holmfirth Harriers AC
Location: Holmfirth
Club members: 500
HHAC have been welcoming runners of all abilities for over 125 years. Come and join our friendly group and take your running to the next level.
Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC
Location: Blackpool
Club members: 600
The oldest, biggest and friendliest Athletics club on the Fylde coast.
Trentham RC
Location: Trentham
Club members: 218
A friendly, supportive club, open to all abilities. Always lots of support and a great atmosphere at races & team events.
Red Rose Road Runners
Location: Preston / South Ribble
Club members: 350
Friendly and sociable club - running for everyone!
Wilmslow Striders
Heaton Runners
Location: 4 Heatons, Stockport
Club members: 500
A friendly and inclusive, social running club who cater for everyone!
We run 4-5 times per week and also offer beginners courses 2-3 times a year. Everyone is welcome and nobody gets left behind!
Ancoats Run Club
Location: Ancoats
Club members: 200
We are a run club based in the Ancoats area of Manchester, open to anyone local who's interested in keeping fit and socialising with like minded people.
Run Together Radcliffe
Location: Radcliffe
We are a social and inclusive running group for all abilities and meet at Radcliffe market every Thursday. All our runs are free to attend.
Chorlton Runners
Location: Chorlton-Cum-Hardy
We are Chorlton Runners - the friendliest running club in the North West!
Manchester Vegan Runners
Snappy Runners
Location: Ancoats
EST in 2022, Snappy Runners is a running community based out of Ancoats in Manchester.
We run to bring people together and build a stronger community through the power of running. More than just a club, we form relationships and connections that extend far beyond the pavements we run on.
Manchester Run Club
The Manchester Run Club is *running for everyone*, a community of likeminded people who want to enjoy social running, regardless of whether you are brand new to running or getting ready to train for a race.
Manchester FrontRunners
Manchester Frontrunners is a dedicated LGBTQ+ running club in Manchester. We are open to anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, or running ability. Our members range from casual joggers to seasoned marathon runners, with all bases covered in between.