Are you a Denverite or a visitor eager to pound the pavement for fitness, fun, and community? Joining a Denver run club is not just about setting paw to path; it's about bonding over the shared joy, passion, and sometimes pain of running. Denver offers an array of running groups to cater to various locations, styles, and paces for your every jog and sprint.
This in-depth guide is crafted for the newbie, the seasoned sprinter, and the trail-blazing ultra runners. Whether you’re looking to diversify your workout, bolster your local network, or simply desire the thrill of chasing your own shadow, we’ve hand-picked the top run clubs in the greater Denver area that are ready to lace up with you.
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Find Your Denver Run Club
Choosing the right run club in Denver can feel like finding a needle in a haystack with so many options available. To ease your search and ensure you find a group that resonates with your running style and goals, we've curated a selection of running clubs that stand out for their welcoming communities, diverse activities, and commitment to supporting runners of all levels.
1. Highlands Ranch Running Club
Vibe: Family-friendly, casual, and supportive
Pace: All levels welcome
Join the friendly faces of Highlands Ranch Running Club (HRRC) for weekly runs that cater to every individual. With pace groups ranging from walking to speedy strides, you’ll feel at home whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. You can also look forward to organized social events like group dinners and holiday parties that make bonding with fellow runners at Highlands Ranch a breeze.
2. Denver Trail Runners
Vibe: Adventurous, nature-loving, and scenic
Pace: Intermediate to advanced
Denver Trail Runners (DTR) is the perfect run club for those seeking a break from the pavement and want to get away from the concrete jungle. Denver Trail Runners offers guided trail running routes throughout Denver's beautiful parks, canyons, and mountains that cater to different skill levels. On Thursdays, the Trail Runners group typically goes out for dinner after the run – a great way to make new friends in Denver!
3. Colorado Columbines
Vibe: Competitive, goal-oriented, and fun
Pace: Intermediate to advanced
Colorado Columbines is a women-only running club that focuses on supporting and uplifting female runners of all levels. With regular training sessions and group runs, the run club also encourages members to participate in local races together as a team. Whether you're looking for accountability, friendly competition, or simply a fun group to meet other women runners, Colorado Columbines has got you covered.
4. Colorado Frontrunners
Vibe: Inclusive, diverse, and community-focused
Pace: All levels welcome
Colorado Frontrunners is an LGBTQ+ running club that welcomes members of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and skill levels. Apart from organizing weekly runs for its members, the running club also participates in local races and hosts social events to promote a healthy and inclusive running community. Joining this Denver run club not only gives you an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals but also helps support a positive cause.
5. Rocky Mountain Road Runners
Vibe: Social, laid-back, and welcoming
Pace: All levels welcome
Founded in 1959, the Rocky Mountain Road Runners (RMRR) is a casual running club that values camaraderie and fun over competition. The running club organizes regular group runs on scenic mountain trails around Denver and also hosts potlucks, happy hours, and other social events for its members to bond over their love for running.
With a diverse group of runners of all abilities, RMRR is the perfect place to make new running friends while exploring the beautiful trails of Colorado. They also offer half marathon and marathon training plans for those interested in competitive running.
RMRR is a great mix of recreational and competitive running opportunities for a wide array of athletes. Note that the Rocky Mountain Road Runners require an annual membership for many of their running events.
6. Highland Tap & Burger Run Club
Vibe: Lively, energetic, and social
Pace: All levels welcome
Not your typical running club, the Highland Tap & Burger Run Club combines fitness with fun by incorporating a post-run happy hour at a local bar. The running club meets every Wednesday evening for a 4-mile loop run followed by drinks, food, and mingling with fellow runners. With a constantly changing route, new faces to meet every week, and delicious burgers waiting at the finish line, this club offers a unique and running club experience for everyone.
7. Runner's Roost Run Club
Vibe: Supportive, goal-oriented, and inclusive
Pace: All levels welcome
Runner's Roost is a popular running store with various locations across Colorado, including Runner's Roost Lakewood, Boulder, and Fort Collins. In addition to selling running gear, the store also offers free weekly group runs for all levels of runners.
The runs are typically 3-6 miles long and take place on both trails and roads. This provides a variety of terrain for runners to conquer. Runners Roost also strongly focuses on the community, with special events such as group trail cleanups and charity races.
Tips for Joining Your First Run Club
- Assess Your Goals and Comfort Level: What are you seeking to achieve through joining a club? Your fitness goals should align with the club's activities and culture.
- Research Clubs: Look into the frequency of group runs, locations, and the demographic each of the running clubs attracts. Social media and running apps can be great tools for this.
- Reach Out: Send a message to the running club's social media handle or the organizer asking about the group's atmosphere and what to expect during your first run.
- Give it a Try: If it's a paid running club, most offer a trial run before you commit. Use this opportunity to gauge whether the club fits your running style and social preferences.
- Respect the Group: Show up on time, follow the club's safety guidelines, and respect the runner hierarchy if applicable (e.g., pace groups in larger clubs).
- Stay Social: Not all the benefits of joining a run club are physical. The interpersonal aspect can provide invaluable support, motivation, and new friendships. It's a social club in addition to a running club!
Final Thoughts on Recreational and Competitive Running Clubs in the Denver Metro Area
Joining a run club offers seemingly endless benefits. From boosted motivation to technical training advice and a social circle of like-minded individuals. Denver's altitude and scenic landscape already make it an ideal city for running. However, the camaraderie of its clubs elevates the experience to extraordinary heights.
Whether you find your stride on the roads or the trails, there's a running community waiting to welcome you. Lace-up, Denver—you're about to race away with the city's heart, one stride at a time.
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