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Challenge Yourself With the Top 10 Run Clubs in Manchester – And Find Your Pace!
Imagine you want to go running, but sometimes, the motivation just won’t come through! Although I’m more of a solo runner, I do enjoy running with my best mates every so often—but it’s not like they fancy running on an early morning rather than lounging.
That’s where running clubs come into the picture. Joining one can sort you out by having a supportive community.
I’ve joined my fair share of running clubs, and I’ve come to the conclusion that these are the best in Manchester, whether you prefer social runs or quicker ones, and paid or free ones. Race you to the finish line!
Manchester Harriers & Athletics Club
Media credit: manchesterharriers
Training Bases:
Contact: Online form
Training Days:
- Whythenshaw Park – Tuesday – Thursday: 6 pm – 7 pm
- Sportcity – Monday – Wednesday: 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Pricing: £££
Website
Established in 1886, Manchester Harriers & Athletics Club welcomes runners as young as 7 years old. It’s a run club for all abilities and skill levels—yes, beginners are welcome here!
Every year, it hosts and competes in various events, including cross country and track and field. You’ll even find that there’s always a running event for the young and adult members, including weekly weekend training runs for seniors.
This run club uses two training bases. Junior, adult, and senior runners train at Whythenshaw Park, whilst young adults and teenagers use Sportcity.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to subscribe to their email subscription for regular event updates. They do loads of stuff together!
Sale Harriers Manchester
Media credit: saleharriersmcr
Training Bases:
Contact: Complete contact list
Training Days: Varies per location
Pricing: ££
Website
Runners of all abilities in every age group are welcome to join Sale Harriers Manchester, which was established in 1910 but originally founded back in 1892. Training is conveniently available in three locations in Manchester!
It’s open to several levels of training, including those for young athletes who focus on track and field (but not exclusively), endurance groups, and adults who want the full track and field experience. Plus, they train for marathons outside the UK!
With three training locations, every runner can confidently run and build endurance with people of the same abilities. Faster track specialists use Whythenshaw Park and Crossford Bridge.
Pro Tip:
Speak with them when joining the primary division because there’s a waiting list. You can speak directly with the coach, whose contact info you can find on the website.
MileyShyClub
Media credit: mileyshyclub
Training Location: Various areas in Greater Manchester
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £
Training Days: Various dates and times, depending on the location
Website
Joining a running club can be intimidating at times, especially if it’s really not something you do. But MileyShyClub is all about changing that, being that its mission is to make running accessible to all, and by all, we mean all shapes and sizes.
This Manchester run club is accommodating and welcoming to folks with health struggles and would-be runners. There are sessions for all abilities, including the Couch to 5K programs, offered thrice a year.
If you’re a complete beginner to exercising, join their walking group. It’s a good start to get you moving.
Training locations are all over Greater Manchester, so you’ll surely find a place close to you. You can find their schedule on Instagram, where they post regular updates.
Pro Tip:
Before joining, don’t forget to fill out the medical form first. Remember to also bring two quid because instead of a yearly membership, it’s pay-as-you-go!
Manchester Frontrunners
Media credit: manchesterfrontrunners
Training Bases:
Contact: [email protected]
Training Days:
- Tuesday: 6:45 pm
- Thursday: 6:50 pm
- Saturday: 9:50 am
Pricing: ££
Website
Manchester Frontrunners (MFR) is an LGBTQ+ running club, which is also part of International Frontrunners, a network of LGBTQ+ run clubs from across the globe. Even if you aren’t queer, you can still join because it welcomes people of all genders!
Runners leg it three times a week, including a paid members-only track session on Tuesday nights. For those keen on trying out this proper friendly club, join their Thursday or Saturday runs, but do pop them a message first.
Beginners will be set up with runners who’ll show them the ropes to familiarise them with the routes. For people who are really just starting with running, join in the Couch-to-5K on Saturdays in autumn!
Pro Tip:
Lower-income individuals may ask for reduced membership fees.
Chorlton Runners
Media credit: chorltonrunners
Training Location: Various areas; subject to change depending on the season
Contact: [email protected]
Training Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Pricing: ££
Website
If you’re searching for a run club in Manchester that has sessions most of the week, Chorlton Runners is worth running into! It’s one of the UK’s largest running clubs—and may we add, successful, because they’ve won various running competitions.
There are various training locations in Manchester with dedicated members-only spots. It offers mid-week runs, usually in the evenings, which will take you up in the hills and can help with your endurance.
Non-members can partake in their Sunday morning runs if they want to try it out and socialise with the members. The best bit is you don’t have to reserve a spot—just show up and mingle with the members about joining in!
Pro Tip:
If you want to train for a race, join Track Friday, a weekly structured session that you can add on top of your normal training.
Ancoats Run Club
Media credit: ancoats_run_club
Meeting Place: Main entrance of Royal Mills, right by the bridge
Contact: Online form
Training Days:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:15 am
- Tuesday, Thursday: 6:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: Subject to availability
Pricing: Free; optional one-time membership fee
Website
The Ancoats Run Club is new, having been born during the pandemic when Deborah Todd asked on Facebook if anyone wanted to tag along for a run. From a couple of runners showing up, it now has over a hundred members.
As a running club focusing on running and socialising, it’s open to all and everyone in Manchester, despite starting in Ancoats. Everyone of all abilities is welcome here, in spite of it not being a competitive running club.
Runs are available every single day, offering 5 km, 7 km, and 10 km options. And in the mornings, you can even bring your dog with you, but do keep them on a short lead for everyone’s safety.
Pro Tips:
If you want your furry companion to join a run, make sure they’re used to running amongst people first. It’s to ensure everyone’s safety and so your dog won’t feel nervous or scared.
Although this run club is free, consider paying the optional one-time membership fee to show your support.
Manchester Road Runners
Media credit: mancroadrunners
Training Location: Various areas; see the club calendar on the website
Contact: Via WhatsApp group chat
Training Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (subject to change)
Pricing: Free
Website
For all you lads and lasses searching for a social running club, you might consider giving Manchester Road Runners a try. It’s free to join, too! It’s as easy as showing up to their running sessions!
It’s an inclusive running club in Manchester that offers a warm welcome to runners of all abilities. There are interval sessions, Couch to 5K for beginners, and various distances for various athletic capabilities, such as 3K, 5K, 7.5K, and 10K.
Expect the session times to vary, though, but Sundays are typically for steady group runs and Wednesdays for various abilities. If you fancy socialising, have a go at the parkrun meetups, which end with brunch—who doesn’t want a carb load after a run?!
Pro Tip:
Whilst you do get a free membership, you should consider an affiliated membership if you’re serious about running. It has benefits like event discounts, voting rights for club leaders, and exclusive offers.
Fast Girls Run Club
Media credit: fastgirlsrunclub
Training Location: Manchester Regional Arena
Contact: Via WhatsApp
Training Day: Monday, 6 pm
Pricing: £
Website
For the ladies, Fast Girls Run Club is an inclusive place for all women, whether or not you’re an avid runner or just starting out. It’s basically a safe space, giving the girls a spot to feel comfortable when running.
There are weekly sessions on Monday nights for social runs and training at the Manchester Regional Arena. It’s outdoors but in a more secure environment, bringing in loads of comfort and convenience.
Plus, these sessions are 100% adaptable—you don’t have to run super fast or complete all the laps if your body cannot handle it yet.
The best bit of this run club is the online coaching, aimed at providing structured plans and guidance to runners! You get an actual coach who can design a bespoke training plan based on your abilities.
Pro Tip:
First-time goers must register on the Better UK app before coming in because you need to scan your card before getting into the arena. No membership card = No entry!
Slow Run Club
Media credit: slowrunclubmcr
Meeting Places:
- Department Bonded Warehouse, across from Caravan & Trading Route
- Sweaty Betty, Wilmslow
- Didsbury at the entrance of Fletcher Moss on Millgate Lane
Contact: Via WhatsApp group chat
Training Days:
- Didsbury: Tuesday: 6:30 pm
- Department Bonded Warehouse – Wednesday: 6:30 pm
- Wilmslow – Every other Saturday: 9:45 am
Pricing: Free
Running doesn’t have to be fast, and sometimes, it can feel saddening when you’re getting left behind. So if you’re a slow runner, Slow Run Club is spot on for you, where the focus is that no one gets left behind.
And you literally won’t get left behind because there’s always a back pacer for runners at the end of the line. You see, this club focuses on running as a group instead of pacing, which is ideal for beginners and joggers, but they still do welcome all abilities.
It feels welcoming, even when there are many runners. There are multiple rest stops after every 1 km, two route options (3 km and 6 km), and everyone waits for everyone at traffic lights—they regroup so no one’s left to go at it alone.
Plus, they support walking! There’s really no pressure here, so you might want to give it a go if you feel intimidated by competitive run clubs.
Pro Tips:
Sign the waiver before your first run! Then, you can just turn up and join in; no need to book or anything.
Also, keep in mind that the Didsbury route doesn’t have a bag drop available.
GB Ultras Running Club
Media credit: manchester_to_liverpool_ultra
Training Starting Point: Piazza, Media City, Salford Quays (subject to change each year)
Contact: Via online form
Pricing: ££
Website
Very, very serious runners will have a buzzing (yet sweaty) time with GB Ultras Running Club. After all, it hosts ultramarathons in Great Britain, so it’s the place to go if you’ve been itching to train for a really, really long race.
This actually focuses on training runs, with routes covering the GB Ultra event, to help racers prepare for race day and learn the places they’ll be running in. This is just right for bringing up your confidence, where you can join the one-day run or both days.
Basically, your training runs will have you checking out the routes for the race from Manchester to Liverpool, with Day One covering the first 23 miles and Day Two the rest. That’s intense, we know, but it is essential knowledge if you’re doing the 50-mile race.
Pro Tip:
If you’re planning on joining this short-term running club to prepare, make sure you register early. If there are too many attendees, they may have to implement a limit.
