NOTE: I’ve updated this list in mid-2022, so it looks quite a bit shorter compared to when I first wrote it in March 2019. I’m sure that new crews will pop up over time, but it’s inevitable that the pandemic dissipated quite a few communities that were often run purely on goodwill and regularity.
If there’s a great crew that I’ve missed, let me know. And if there’s a great crew that doesn’t exist yet, start it yourself!
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London has some of the best urban running routes in the world, and a wealth of running communities and run crews to choose from, all with something slightly different to offer.
There doesn’t seem to be a proper directory of the run crews in London, so below is a basic one I’ve put together of every crew I can remember or find, with brief descriptions of their sessions and links to socials and websites.
You’ll notice this doesn’t include affiliated athletics clubs, because I didn’t have all the time in the world, and England Athletics has got its own handy website for that. I would definitely recommend checking out your local affiliate clubs (they’re the ones with names that are usually location + alliterated synonym for runners eg. the Westminster Whizzers or the Battersea Bounders). They’re hugely welcoming to runners of all abilities, membership is cheap, and sessions are structured and varied, but the crews below are great if you want something more casual to rock up to and dip your toe into the world of London running.
I’ve divided them into free clubs, clubs with membership, and track sessions. Obviously, check their socials for updates before you turn up, in case they’ve changed times (or I’ve made a mistake).
FREE CLUBS
REP RUNNERS
USP: We love to run through the city that loves to run
Tuesdays, 18:30, 8km from New Balance Flagship, Oxford St
Instagram
PURE SPORT
USP: Fitness club based around the CBD brand
Wednesdays, 19:30, 5km in Battersea Park
Thursdays, 07:00, 5km around Clapham Common
Website
Instagram
FRIENDLY RUNNER
USP: Does what it says on the tin: All welcome
Canal run: Saturdays, 09:00, Lodestar Coffee, Lower Clapton
Long runs and hills sessions also available
Instagram
LONDON CITY RUNNERS
USP: A huge free and friendly running club, with our own bar and event space
River runs: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday long run
– From the Clubhouse at 130 Druid St, SE1 2HH
Interval runs: Wednesday, Southwark Park Track
Website
Instagram
Facebook
ADIDAS RUNNING
Regular weekly runs, all over London.
Check out their website for the details
Facebook
WILD TRAIL RUNNERS
USP: Train in the city to play in the wild
Hills session: Mondays, 18:45, Richmond Park
Longer trail runs are also organised monthly, in or around London.
Instagram
CHASING LIGHTS COLLECTIVE
USP: The Original Mindful Running Crew
Wednesdays, 6:30pm, G-Shock Carnaby St
Website
Instagram
Facebook
BLACK GIRLS DO RUN
USP: An EA affiliated running community to inspire, encourage and motivate black women to run
Join their mailing list to get updates on events
Website
Instagram
ASICS
Mondays and Fridays, 19:00, Oxford St
Facebook
RUNNER’S NEED
Weekly runs from all their stores, various days, various times
Website
LONDON FRONT RUNNERS
USP: London’s running club for LGBT+ and gay-friendly people
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays in central London parks (Regent’s, Greenwich, Hyde & Victoria)
Website
Facebook
TRIBE
Various events and trail runs: check out socials for details
Facebook
Instagram
LDN TUBE RUN
USP: Monthly runs along the length of a London tube line
Check socials for regular monthly dates
Instagram
Facebook
RUN TALK RUN
USP: A global mental health support community
Various regular weekly runs, across London (and the world!).
Website
Instagram
Facebook
CLUBS WITH MEMBERSHIP
MIDNIGHT RUNNERS
USP: Massive global running collective with crews in 15 cities around the world.
Music boot camp run (10km): Tuesdays, 19:30
Track sessions and Long runs: check events pages
Website
Instagram
Facebook
LAZY GIRL RUNNING
USP: Helping women learn to love running
Group sessions in Finsbury Park
Website
TRACK SESSIONS
TRACK MAFIA
Thursdays, 18:30, Paddington Rec
Website
Instagram
Facebook
ONE TRACK LDN
Tuesdays or Thursdays, Duke of York Square track
Long runs: see socials for details
Website
Instagram
TRACK LIFE
Mondays, 18:30, Battersea Park Track
£13
Website
Instagram
Facebook
TRACK EAST
Thursdays, 18:30, Mile End Stadium
Instagram
Facebook
Alice Sinclair 
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