How to Organize a Running Club

You would enjoy running with others and cannot find a running club nearby, so what can you do? Recruit a few fellow runners and start a club of your own. A running club encourages camaraderie among runners of various backgrounds and abilities to engage in a sport they are passionate about. Clubs provide opportunities for socializing and networking, participating in races and offer companionship for what can otherwise be an isolated sport.

Things You'll Need

• Fellow runners interested in participating
• Location to schedule regular runs
• Flyers and posters

Instructions

1. Decide on how your running club will be structured. Determine if you envision a club that will include anyone of any ability, including walkers, or will be only for women or adults. Once you decide on a structure for the club and who you are aiming to include, you can recruit members accordingly. Avoid changing the structure once you commit to a format for your running club; changing will only stand to confuse or alienate members.

2. Find other runners who are looking to join a club. Friends, fellow members of your gym who run on the treadmill or people you run past regularly on your routes are all possibilities to join your club. You can start a club with a small group of people or ask your new recruits if they would be willing to invite others to join. Once you have a small but willing group, have your first meeting at your home, at a restaurant or even in a park.

3. Agree on a club name. Consider a name that reflects where you live or where your group plans to run regularly. Other members of the group may have other suggestions for a fun name. The club name should be agreed upon by most, if not all, of the members.

4. Set a running schedule. Decide on a location, distance and a time each week that works for the majority of group members. If a time works for most members but not others, add another day and time that will accommodate everyone else. Weekends will often be the preference for most members. As your running club expands, you can add additional days, times and distances for different levels of ability.

5. Market the running club to recruit new members. Encourage club members to help with marketing your club to other runners. Create flyers and posters and display, if allowed, where runners may congregate--gyms, sports stores, organic markets and health food stores. Send flyers to high school and college running coaches if you are interested in reaching runners of all ages. Consider developing a web site and promote your club through press releases and announcements on community bulletin boards and weekly print publications. Contact local race organizers to inquire about promoting your club at their event.

6. Consider affordable membership dues and adopting an official organizational structure as the club grows. If the club is expanding, you may find that there are expenses for printing flyers, shirts and other promotional materials. The club may want to consider requiring a small membership fee, which can help cover certain costs. The club could review the need to elect a president, vice president and treasurer as the membership expands.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a website, consider creating an online presence through a community group, such as Yahoo Groups. Start small at first with people you may know before expanding to the general public. Be supportive of new club members, particularly if they are running at a slower pace. Hold social functions for members, such as barbecues, bowling nights or holiday parties.

• Be open to all levels of ability; don't exclude slower or faster runners. Avoid making all the decisions regarding the club; ask for opinions and suggestions from others.

References

• Building a Running Club

Resources

• How to Start a Running Club