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So, you’ve decided to join every other millennial out there, lace up your runners, pull on the short shorts, buy the latest cool sneakers and hit the pavement. Maybe you’re chasing a new PB, maybe you’re training for a half-marathon (like me, hello!), maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to get out of the house, or maybe you’re just hoping to meet some like-minded legends who don’t mind a bit of sweat and good chat.
Whatever your reason, Melbourne’s run club scene is pumping, and the online running community has a lot to say about where you should start. We’ve trawled Reddit, Instagram, Strava, and every other digital water cooler where runners hang out to bring you the definitive guide to Melbourne’s best run clubs. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just hoping to survive your first 5K, there’s a run club for you.
Best Run Clubs in Melbourne at a Glance
Related: Run Clubs Are So Hot Right Now, But Why?
Top Running Clubs in Melbourne
1. Parkrun
- Where: Literally everywhere – countless locations across Melbourne
- Membership Price: Absolutely free! Just register once online
- Meeting Time & Place: Saturdays, 8:00am at your local park (e.g., Albert Park, Princes Park, Studley Park, and more)
Parkrun is probably the OG of community running. It’s a super chill 5km run (or walk) held every Saturday morning at parks all over Melbourne (and Australia). It’s free to join and you’ll find all sorts of people there, from first-timers to regular runners. There’s no time limit, no pressure, and you definitely won’t finish last (there’s a tail walker for that!)
It’s a good way to get moving, meet some locals if you’re new to the area, and kick off your weekend. Most people hang around for a coffee afterwards, so it’s also a decent way to catch up or make a few new mates. Whether you’re there to push yourself or just enjoy the fresh air, Parkrun’s a solid Melbourne run club option.
2. Love the Run
- Where: Clifton Hill / Studley Park
- Membership Price: First 3 sessions free, then a base rate of $15 per year, and different membership prices based on your training style.
- Meeting Time & Place: Tuesdays, 6:00pm at Merri Creek (Merri Tuesday) / Thursdays, 6:00pm at the track (Track Thursday) / Fridays, 5:30am (Runrise Friday)
Love the Run is a Melbourne running crew that’s been bringing Melbourne runners together since 2009. It’s not about how fast you are or how far you’ve run – if you enjoy running and want to train with a bunch of good people, you’ll fit right in with this group.
Tuesdays are always a cruisy 5km around Clifton Hill, then if you want to push yourself a bit, Thursday’s track session where you can test the legs and get a bit of speed work in, while Friday mornings (yep, 5:30am) are for the early risers who want to start the day strong. The full session distance will vary, from 6-8km up to 12-14km. There are different membership options based on the amount of time you want to dedicate to the group, with all base memberships starting at $15 annually.
3. Gunn Runners
- Where: Albert Park
- Membership Price: First run free, then $5 per run
- Meeting Time & Place: Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Albert Park (meet at Limerick Arms Hotel at 6pm)
If you’re after a classic Melbourne run with a cracking crew, Gunn Runners is the go-to. Every Tuesday night, between 25 to 50 runners meet at the Limerick Arms Hotel in South Melbourne before heading out for a lap of the stunning Albert Park Lake.
It’s a flat, scenic 5km loop – perfect for all levels, whether you’re out to smash a PB or just keen for an easy run. And the best bit? Once you’ve clocked your kms, it’s straight back to the pub for a cold beer (first one’s on the house, thanks to Limerick’s sponsorship) and a feed if you’re hungry.
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4. The Sandwich Run
- Where: All over Melbourne
- Membership Price: Free (just bring sandwich money)
- Meeting Time & Place: Sundays, locations and times vary (check Instagram for this week’s adventure)
Arguably the best part about running? The post-run feed, and nothing rounds out a run like a solid sambo. That’s why we love The Sandwich Run. Started by three gym mates in late 2023, the idea kicked off after a tough 30km marathon training slog, which ended with a sandwich that made all the effort worthwhile. They figured, why not make this a regular thing?
Now, every week, the crew picks a new local sandwich spot, and the run finishes with everyone tucking in together. They offer 5km, 10km, 15km, or 20km routes, with a pace of 6:00/km. Each week, the run starts and ends at a different sandwich spot around Melbourne, and each location is announced on their Instagram each Tuesday.
The group’s grown fast, and it’s not unusual to see 30 or more people turning up, with some even skipping the run and going straight for the sandwich (cheeky, but you gotta admire the play).
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5. Melbourne Midday Milers
- Where: The Tan Track (meet at the Pillars of Wisdom)
- Membership Price: $37.50 per year
- Meeting Time & Place: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30pm sharp (plus the occasional Sunday long run)
The Melbourne Midday Milers (MMM) is a long-standing running crew that meets at the Tan for lunchtime sessions most Tuesdays and Thursdays. Starting back in 1978 by staff from the Reserve Bank, this run club is a mix of runners of all ages and levels (but leaning heavily towards more experienced runners). If you can run the Tan in anything from 11:30 to 20 minutes – or a 5km in 15 to 25 – you’ll find your pace here. And if you’re on the slower side but keen to improve, you’re more than welcome too.
Sessions kick off at 12:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday at the Pillars of Wisdom. They’re usually interval or fartlek workouts that wrap up in about 30 – 40 minutes. There’s a good balance of training, a bit of competition, and post-run chat, with club champs and weekend long runs in the mix.
6. Achilles Melbourne
- Where: The Tan Track (Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda)
- Membership Price: $30 per year (includes a running tee)
- Meeting Time & Place: Sundays at 8:30am
The Achilles Melbourne crew meets each week for a run or walk around the Tan, an iconic 3.8km loop around the Botanic Gardens. It’s a friendly, inclusive group made up of people with disabilities, volunteer guides, and runners of all backgrounds who just love getting out for a session.
Whether you’re walking your first lap or training for a marathon, there’s a spot for you. Keen for extra distance? Some of the crew head along the Yarra via Fed Square on the Main Yarra Trail. Plus, on Wednesday nights, members can also join a free strength and conditioning session run by qualified athletics coaches. The focus is on building strength, staying injury-free, and improving how you move.
7. Melbourne Frontrunners
- Where: Tan, Albert Park, Princes Park, Footscray Wharf
- Membership Price: Free for the first few runs, then an annual fee of $45
- Meeting Time & Place: Tan: Tues 6:30, Wed 18:30, Sat 8:30 / Footscray: Thurs 19:00, Sun 8:30 / Albert Park: Sun 8:30 / Princes Park: Sun 8:30 / Edinburgh Gardens (women): Wed 18:30
Melbourne Frontrunners is an inclusive running and walking group for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. It’s a place where all runners are welcome, no matter your pace, experience, or how far you want to go. Some people push themselves, others take it cruisy, and plenty are just there for the social aspect.
The crew meets at great spots across Melbourne like The Tan, Albert Park, Princes Park, the Maribyrnong River and Edinburgh Gardens. There’s a range of distances on offer and regular group training with accredited coaches. It’s a great run club to join if you want to move at your own pace, and enjoy being part of a social, supportive crew that keeps running fun.
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8. EveryRun Club
- Where: Various locations / Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
- Membership Price: Free
- Meeting Time & Place: Wednesdays, Lakeside Stadium for track runs, 7pm / Saturday social runs across various Melb locations, 9.30am / Upton Girl 8.30am on Sundays for a long run
EveryRun Club might’ve only kicked off about a year ago, but it’s already built a strong following across Melbourne (and even as far as Cork, Ireland). Part run club, part social crew, EveryRun focuses on moving your body, meeting new people, and starting the weekend off on a good note. No one cares about pace, splits or gear, so if that’s your thing, you might want to try a different run club.
The Saturday sessions rotate across different Melbourne locations, kicking off at 9:30am with an easy run or walk betwen 3km – 5km at your own pace. It’s casual, friendly, and open to absolutely everyone, whether you’re new to running, new to the city, or just after a fun way to stay active and make mates. There’s also a weekly Sunday long run which meets at 8.30am at Upton Girl cafe in Windsor, and covers various routes and distances around Southeast Melbourne.
9. Hunter Athletics
- Where: Olympic Park, Melbourne
- Membership Price: Free
- Meeting Time & Place: Tuesday, 6am
Hunter Athletics is a tight-knit Melbourne crew built for runners with grit. Their flagship session is Track Tuesday, every week at 6am at Olympic Park. It’s a free run club too, all you need to do is rock up and get ready to run hard. You don’t need to be the fastest or the slowest; you just need to show up and give it a crack.
For those after something a bit more relaxed, there’s the monthly HNTR Pack Run: an easy 6km loop followed by a coffee on the house, perfect for newcomers or anyone a bit nervous about jumping straight into track work. The location varies each month, so chuck ‘em a follow on Instagram if you’re interested in joining the next one. If you’re searching for a true running pack, Hunter’s offers a real sense of purpose and community.
10. Femmi
- Where: Collingwood, Brunswick, Elwood,
- Membership Price: Free for weekly group runs; Femmi app membership for personalised training is $16.99/month
- Meeting Time & Place: Varies on location – see app or website for details
Femmi is both a women’s running group and a training app, designed to help women run with confidence and connect with others. The heart of Femmi is its community: every week, women in Melbourne (and beyond) meet up for group runs that are friendly, welcoming, and all about supporting each other. There’s no competition or comparison – just a safe space to move, chat, and enjoy running together. Distances vary from 3km-5km at a 6:00-8:00 / km pace. You can join an existing group or even start your own local Femmi run through the app.
But Femmi goes beyond just meetups. The Femmi app offers personalised training plans tailored specifically for women, taking into account your goals, fitness level, and even your menstrual cycle – so your training actually works with your body, not against it. Whether you’re looking for a supportive crew to run with or want a smarter way to train, Femmi is a great Melbourne run club for women and non-binary folks.
How to Pick the Right Run Club for You
- Location: Pick a club close to home or work. If it’s a pain to get to, you won’t stick with it.
- Vibe: Want to get faster? Go for a club with structured sessions. Just want a social run? Pick a group that keeps running sessions chill.
- Schedule: Morning or evening? Weekdays or weekends? There’s a club for most schedules.
- Pace: Don’t worry too much – most clubs have a mix of speeds. But if you’re a total beginner, look for clubs that mention being beginner-friendly.
- Community: The best part of a run club is the people. Try a few out and see where you fit.
It can be daunting to join a run club, especially if you’re a new runner. But in my experience, most clubs are super welcoming to newcomers. Just show up, say hi, and you’ll be part of the crew in no time.
How MoM Made This List
From the author: This list is based on my own experience as a runner, plus in-depth research on the best run clubs in Melbourne. As an expert journalist who guides people between competing products and services, I have provided my independent opinion in formulating Man of Many’s selections. You can review MoM’s editorial policy here regarding how we maintain our independence in our editorial reviews.
Melbourne Run Club FAQs
Ah, the age-old question every runner asks. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Running pace is as personal as your post-run coffee order. But if you want numbers, here’s the consensus.
Beginners: Aim for 1km in about 8–10 minutes. That’s a pace where you can still chat, enjoy the scenery, and not feel like your lungs are about to explode. For a 5K, anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour is totally respectable.
Intermediates: If you’re starting to get serious, knocking out 1km in 6–7 minutes is solid.
Experienced runners: 6 minutes per km or less is the goal, but just remember it takes time to work up to this pace.
Honestly, just run at a pace you can comfortably sustain. If you can hold a conversation (or at least grunt out a few words), you’re golden. Don’t get sucked into chasing someone else’s numbers – run your own race!
Running burns more calories in less time… but that doesn’t actually make it better for weight loss. Many people find running makes them hungrier, and so they’re more likely to over-consume calories during the day. That’s actually why you’ll find a lot of runners saying they gained weight when they started running. Anyway, the best exercise for weight loss is the one you’ll actually do. If you love running, go for it. If you’d rather walk and listen to a podcast, that’s great too. Both will help you drop the kilos if you stick with it and keep your diet in check.
The answer to how many times a week you should run depends on your goals (and how much you like your knees). Beginners can start with 2 – 3 times a week, which gives you enough time to recover, avoid injuries, and still make progress. Throw in a rest day or some cross-training (like cycling or swimming) on the off days.
Intermediate and advanced runners might bump it up to 4 – 5 times a week, especially if you’re training for a race or chasing a PB. Just make sure you’re mixing up your sessions (easy runs, intervals, long runs) and not going flat out every day.
At the end of the day, consistency beats heroics. It’s better to run a few times a week, every week, than smash yourself and burn out. Listen to your body, take your rest days seriously, and you’ll be picking up the pace in no time.
