The Best Black Run Clubs in Every Major City

Running has always been part of our culture from the trails to the track to the streets. But for a long time, mainstream running spaces didn't always reflect that. Over the last decade, Black-led run clubs have been building something different: communities rooted in culture, wellness, and belonging, where showing up doesn't mean shrinking yourself.

Here's a list of clubs we've carefully curated for you. We hope to partner with each of these clubs in the near future. If you know of a club we should add, we'd love to hear from you please email us, as we'll continue updating this list over time.

 

Arizona

Phoenix

BLK Arizona Run Club Founded by fitness trainer Emanuel Jones, BLK Arizona Run Club started with a simple mission: create a space for people of color to pursue health and community together. What started as a small Sunday morning meetup at Tempe Town Lake has grown into an award-winning wellness movement with over 70,000 followers across platforms. Every Sunday at 7:30 a.m., hundreds show up for a group stretch surrounded by Black-owned business vendors - everything from fresh lemonade to granola bars. The club has since expanded to Las Vegas and continues to grow. Their wristband system - pink for those open to connection, blue for networking - has become a signature touch. This is more than a run club. It's a community.

Black Men Run Phoenix The Phoenix chapter of the national Black Men Run organization, dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellness among African American men through running. A consistent presence in the Valley for runners looking to build brotherhood alongside fitness.

Black Girls Run! Phoenix The Phoenix chapter of the national BGR! organization, creating space for Black women to prioritize their health through running, community runs, and group support.

 

 

California

Los Angeles

BlacklistLA Founded in 2013, BlacklistLA is a nonprofit that merged running with art discovery in Los Angeles. Their first run started at the iconic LACMA Urban Lights with a few dozen friends and grew into hundreds - and eventually a movement. Their weekly program, Running Empowers Community (R.E.C.), offers free runs throughout the city with Board Members, Run Captains, and Community Ambassadors who actually live in the communities they serve. BlacklistLA is one of the most culturally rooted running organizations in the country - and one of the most unique. Every route is also a tour of the city's street art.

Black Men Run Los Angeles The LA chapter of Black Men Run, focused on the health and wellness of African American men through group runs and community. Weekly runs on Saturdays - follow @BMRLosAngeles on Instagram to stay updated on locations.

RUNGOOD A running group rooted in healing and community, meeting every Wednesday and running for Black lives. RUNGOOD exists at the intersection of activism and movement - a reminder that running can be both a personal act and a collective one.

 

Florida

Miami

Running's Edge 305 / Black Miami Run Tour Founded by a Miami-based running community, Running's Edge 305 launched the Black Miami Run Tour in partnership with lululemon - a tour of Black communities across Miami, including runs by Liberty Square, the oldest housing project in the United States, built in the 1930s. This is running as love for the city and its history.

Black Men Run Miami The South Florida chapter of Black Men Run, keeping the brotherhood moving through group runs and community events across the Miami metro.

Black Girls Run! Miami An active Miami chapter of the national BGR! organization, dedicated to encouraging Black women to make fitness a priority through community, accountability, and consistent group runs.

Late Night Menu Crew (LNMC) Founded in 2019 by Arthur Alexander, Late Night Menu Crew is a women-focused, community-driven run crew built on the values of safety, inclusivity, and family. LNMC creates space for physical, mental, and emotional well-being - and treats every member like they belong.

 

Georgia

Atlanta

South Fulton Running Partners (SFRP) Founded in 1979, South Fulton Running Partners is the oldest Black running club in the United States. It started with a handful of African American runners in Southwest Atlanta - Jim Lemon, Jerry McClain, Gary Jenkins, and Julius "Gunner" Harrison - training together for the Peachtree Road Race. Their motto: "Running Partners Have More Fun." Over four decades later, SFRP has built a legacy of fellowship that is uniquely and unapologetically rooted in Black culture. If you run in Atlanta and don't know about SFRP, this is your introduction.

Black Men Run Atlanta One of the most active chapters of the national Black Men Run organization. The Atlanta chapter meets Monday nights at 6:30 PM at Hop City and runs bi-weekly Saturday sessions at 7:30 AM at rotating locations. One of the most consistent communities in the city for Black men pursuing health.

Black Girls Run! Atlanta An active Atlanta chapter of the national BGR! organization, with a strong presence in the city's running scene and community events including training for the Peachtree Road Race.

Black Run ATL Atlanta's newest chapter of African American runners, centered around Black professionals who love to run. A growing presence in the city's run club boom.

 

Illinois

Chicago

GumboFit Founded in May 2019 by Aaron Ingram, Ian Gonzalez, and Craig Taylor, GumboFit was born out of a simple observation: most run clubs in Chicago were on the North Side, were predominantly white, and didn't always feel like spaces where Black runners could be themselves. GumboFit built the alternative - a safe space for Black and Brown athletes on the South Side, rooted in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Since launching, they've offered 20-week marathon training programs, Nike gear drops, wellness and recovery events, sports photography fellowships, and RRCA running coach certifications. Co-founder Ian Gonzalez also opened Last Lap Corner Store in Bronzeville - the first Black-owned running store in Chicago. GumboFit is a blueprint for what community-centered running looks like.

Black Men Run Chicago The Chicago chapter of the national Black Men Run network, focused on improving the health of Black men through group running and brotherhood. A consistent presence in the city for runners looking for accountability and community.

Maryland

Baltimore

Black Men Run Baltimore Led by Head Captain Maurice Jenkins, Black Men Run Baltimore runs every Thursday at Lake Montebello at 6:15 PM and bi-weekly on Saturdays at 8:00 AM at rotating locations. The club is active on Instagram (@blackmenrunbmore) and on Facebook, and has built a steady, committed community of Black men investing in their health through running.

Black Girls Run! Baltimore Baltimore's chapter of the national BGR! organization, built to tackle health disparities through community and consistent movement. Active Facebook and Instagram presence for stays updated on group runs and events.

R.I.O.T. Squad (Running is Our Therapy) A homegrown Baltimore run crew that combines identity, culture, and running. The R.I.O.T. Squad ran a tribute to Black history through Baltimore during Black History Month and has become one of the city's most recognized grassroots running communities.

Black Running Organization (BRO) A Baltimore City-based run crew centered on celebrating Black culture on foot. BRO fuses identity and movement in a city where both matter deeply - follow @blkrunorg on Instagram to connect with the community.

 

New York

New York City

Harlem Run Founded in 2013, Harlem Run is a collective of runners who are passionate about both running and the community of Harlem itself. Open to all, with Monday night group runs that take you through one of America's most historically rich neighborhoods. More than a run club - it's a love letter to Harlem on foot.

Black Roses NYC Founded in 2013 by Knox Robinson and Jessie Zapo, Black Roses NYC is one of the most elite and well-known Black-led running crews in the country. High-level, invite-only, and built for runners serious about training and the city's culture. The crew meets twice a week for demanding track workouts - think 5 x 1K repeats or descending 5K/3K/1K ladders. The name comes from a classic dancehall track: the rarest flower in the garden. Covered by Gear Patrol and widely recognized as one of NYC's most influential run crews.

BedStuy Flyers A free running club based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, welcoming all paces and levels. BedStuy Flyers was built for people of various backgrounds to share space, work hard, have fun, and always uplift each other. Free and community-first every time.

Running Sistahs Social Club A community built specifically for Black and African American women runners in NYC, focused on advancing wellness and culture through social connection and running. Meets regularly and prioritizes belonging.

Black Men Run NYC The New York City chapter of the national Black Men Run organization, keeping African American men active and connected across the five boroughs.

Texas

Dallas

Run It Up Dallas Founded by Theo Murdaugh, Run It Up Dallas is quickly becoming the premier run club for Dallas's Black and Brown running community. The club meets three times a week, welcomes all levels, hosts monthly social events, and partners with local businesses in East Dallas to offer exclusive member perks. As the Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate put it, Run It Up Dallas is "redefining what running clubs look like in the city."

Black Men Run Dallas The Dallas chapter of the national Black Men Run organization, keeping Black men in DFW active, accountable, and connected. Runs and events posted on their Facebook page and Instagram.

Black Girls Run! Dallas Dallas's chapter of the national BGR! organization - one of the most active in Texas - with consistent group runs and a community built around accountability and wellness for Black women.

Houston

Black Men Run Houston The Houston chapter of Black Men Run, focused on empowering African American men to get active through weekly group runs and brotherhood. One of the most consistent Black running communities in the city.

Black Girls Run! Houston An active Houston chapter of the national BGR! movement, building a community of Black women committed to making fitness a regular part of their lives.

ZFT Run Club (Zone Fitness Training) Founded on Juneteenth weekend of 2017, ZFT Run Club held its very first run at Emancipation Park in Houston's Historic Third Ward - and that park is still home base today. Founded by Coach Kelvon Yancey, ZFT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no registration fees and no barriers to entry. For Black Houstonians, running with ZFT means being in a space where they feel supported and safe - real community connection that replaces the unreality of social media. Now in its ninth year, ZFT has grown to chapters across Texas and hosts the annual Run, Walk, Crawl 5K every Juneteenth weekend. Running rooted in culture, history, and freedom.

Njord Running Club Founded by competitive runners with a mission to empower communities in need, Njord offers two weekly group runs - Wednesdays and Saturdays - at a welcoming pace for all levels. Community service is embedded in the club's identity from day one.

 

Michigan

Detroit

WeRun313 Lance Woods traveled to Miami, encountered the District Running Collective, and saw something he'd never seen before: a massive community of Black runners moving together with pride and purpose. He came home to Detroit and built the same thing. On May 4, 2019, he and co-founder Joe Robinson launched We Run 313 - and over 100 runners showed up to the very first event. Today, WeRun313 has grown to more than 5,000 members, with Two-Mile Tuesdays regularly drawing 500+ participants. The community has grown so deep that members now support each other through job leads, marriages, loss, and celebration. Their story became a book - We Run 313: The Pulse of Detroit's Run Club - with contributions from 42 members. One of the most powerful run club stories in the country.

Black Men Run Detroit The Detroit chapter of the national Black Men Run organization, led by Head Captain Romero Hardy. Meets at 6 PM from Vivio's in Eastern Market, with trivia after the run at 7 PM. A consistent community for Black men in Detroit prioritizing their health.

Black Girls Run! Detroit Detroit's chapter of the national BGR! movement, creating space and accountability for Black women in the city to make fitness a regular part of their lives.

North Carolina

Charlotte

Black Men Run Charlotte One of the most active Black Men Run chapters in the country, with runs nearly every day of the week. The schedule: Monday at 6:30 PM at Protagonist Brewery, Wednesday at 6:30 PM at Lost Worlds Brewery, Friday at 6:00 AM at Trader Joe's, and rotating Saturday sessions at Charlotte Running Co., Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, and trail locations. This chapter shows up - consistently and across the city.

Mad Miles Run Club A Black-led crew running free every week out of Camp North End, one of Charlotte's most culturally vibrant spaces. Mad Miles is part of Charlotte's growing run club scene and a strong community option for runners in the city.

Black Girls Run! Charlotte The Charlotte chapter of the national BGR! organization, keeping Black women in the Queen City moving, connected, and accountable.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Philly Run Tribe It started with five friends from West Philadelphia - two of them brothers - who just wanted to stay active together. Within months, word spread and attendance at their weekly three-mile runs along the Schuylkill River tripled, then kept growing. Today, Philly Run Tribe is a 250-person-plus family. As co-founder Abdul Muhammad puts it: "We're not a run club, we're a family that runs." Most members are Black, and the community regularly hears from people who say it's "so amazing to see so many Black people come together for something so positive." The club meets Tuesdays at 7 PM outside Lloyd Hall. One of the best origin stories in Philly running.

Black Men Run Philadelphia One of the most decorated Black Men Run chapters in the nation - BMR Chapter of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. Meets Wednesdays at 6 PM at Lloyd Hall and Saturdays at 7:30 AM at 33rd & Diamond. Organized, consistent, and clearly doing something right.

Black Girls Run! Philadelphia Philly's chapter of the national BGR! organization, building community and accountability for Black women across the city through regular group runs and events.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

District Running Collective (DRC) Founded in 2013 by Matt Green, Taylor Blake, Chaz Dawson, and Carlin Myrick - four friends who met at North Carolina A&T State University - the District Running Collective was built to change the way minority communities in DC view running and social sports. The founders were inspired by running culture in other cities, particularly New York's Bridge Runners scene. For Matt's 26th birthday, he organized a midnight 5K on 8th Street - over 100 people showed up from his network alone. In 2019, DRC opened The DRC Space in collaboration with Under Armour, a hub inspired by running culture and used for weekly runs, events, and workshops. Their mission in their own words: make running while Black a thing in Washington, D.C. They've more than accomplished it.

Black Men Run D.C. The D.C. chapter of the national Black Men Run organization, meeting Saturdays at 8:00 AM at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. Consistent, committed, and welcoming to Black men at all fitness levels.

Black Girls Run! D.C. Washington D.C.'s chapter of the national BGR! organization, with an active community of Black women in the District prioritizing their health through regular group runs and events.

 

If you're gearing up for your next run, make sure your fit matches the energy. Veii Apparel is built for runners who move with purpose - gear designed for the culture, not just the sport.

Know a Black run club in your city that deserves to be on this list? Drop it in the comments below.