Have you started a running club IRL? Can you tell me about your experience? (Read 915 times)

Run Runner Clubs of American would be a good starting point. http://www.rrca.org/ You'd probably want to start up a website and talk to local sports stores to advertise.

I agree with what the others have said. when we started our running group, it was sponsored through the running store here. We made up fliers to put in the running store and then a website was created. The message board on our website allows runners to get together for runs throughout the week. I think it would be hard, though, to start one up without the support of a running store. Hard, but not impossible. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. (Just as background - I don't live near a running store or any of those clubs - I'm way in south Jersey. There is a running store about 20 minutes away, but I think it's seasonal (it's near the beach, many of the businesses are only open in the late spring/summer/early fall). I guess I've got a lot of work cut out for me if I want to do this!)

All you really need is for some way for people with a similar interest to get together. I started the Mon Night Slow Runs with my club b/c one of my neighbor expressed an interest in starting to run. Make announcements looking for running partners in the local paper, in churches, where ever people go. Once you do get a group together, you might want to communicate with everyone through a googlegroups list. We use this a lot in Wicked to see might be available for a run on an unusual day or to simply communicate with the entire group. Even if your running stores are not close, find a good one (you all will need someone good to sell you shoes and other accessories). Strike up a conversation with the owner, explain what you are doing, they might have ideas and they will surely offer your club members a discount (at least they do in my area). Aim at getting something started, set modest goals and go from there. If you think of it, tell us how you are doing with this project.

Jill, Just happened to stumble across this thread. I live in EHT. There are actually a few local clubs, but they don't meet on a regular basis. Another person tried to start a club last fall. We met every Sunday on the Boardwalk in Ventnor, but haven't met in a few months. We might start trying to meet again now that it is getting warmer. Here is a link to the club's website. Contact Brandi for more info. http://www.atlanticcountyrunners.com/

Hi, I live in an area that needs a running club, but I have no idea how to go about starting a successful club. I would love to hear about your experience if you've started one or helped to start one up. Thanks! -Jill

Move to Nashville. We have a great club here.

I guess how do you define "needs a running club."

Yeah ... be careful what you wish for. If you're just looking for to establish a group to run with, socialize with at local races, and wear the same t-shirt, then a Meetup Group might be the way to go. RRCA can help you set up a club if another one is needed in your area, but associated with it are procedures, bylaws, formality, fees, insurance etc. to protect you should anything happen at a club 'event'.

RRCA also mentions that one way to start a club is informal until you can build some core members and momentum. You don't have to charge fees or even join RRCA, although once things get going it is sa great next step. I am currently starting a club in my area. I decided to do it because I saw some many people out there running and thought we needed a club. I simply posted fliers where I thought other runners might be, mostly on telephone poles along the running routs, and a few local gyms as well as coffee shops. I did put a couple of fliers at a local running store, but most of my members are coming from other sources so you don't need a club. It is slow going. We stated in mid January and now have about 15 people but so far only 9 have shown up at any one time to run, but just about every week I get at least two inquiries about the club. So I suspect as the wetehr turns warmer we will get more people. A couple of weeks ago I was a bit discouraged as we only had 4 runners, including myself and DW lately it is picking up. So hang in there and try to think of ways to get the word out.