The Best Running Clubs in Oklahoma City for Beginners

If you’re a female runner or walker looking for a supportive community in a running club for women, you have not one but two great clubs to choose from. If you’re a beginner hoping to tackle your first couch-to-5k or simply eager to learn how to start running regularly, almost every club in the city has a training program specifically for you. If you’re a seasoned marathoner wanting to share some miles with fellow athletes - or perhaps dabble in something new entirely with triathlon training - there are lots of clubs to choose from.

As you can see, whatever your needs, abilities, or ambition, there’s a running club in Oklahoma City for you. Read on to find it.

The Landrunners - The Oklahoma City Running Club

The Landrunners Oklahoma City Running Club hosts weekend morning runs with 7- or 14-mile distances that are open to members of all abilities and ages. Other benefits of becoming a Landrunners member include monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, race information, and updates from recent running trips and events, as well as race discounts, a monthly newsletter, and volunteering opportunities.

However, what I think is the real selling point of this club is its free training groups that are open to beginners, walkers, non-members, and advanced runners. Whether you want to walk or jog a 5k or participate in a full marathon, Landrunners will help you achieve your goal with its training programs that are designed to challenge and motivate many different running levels.

They offer half and full marathon training options specifically for beginners and novice runners as well as more intense intermediate coaching. Meeting weekly to run together as well as following individual training schedules, these groups run out and back courses designed to accommodate every fitness level. Best of all, these training groups have a tradition of sharing post-run homemade treats each week that participants are encouraged to bring.

Find motivation and support in  your running journey by becoming a Landrunner here.

Moms RUN This Town/ She RUNS This Town 

Originally a running club for mothers who were struggling to find the time to run or like-minded people to run with, She RUNS This Town has spiraled into an international organization with over 800 chapters worldwide that welcomes any woman seeking a place to succeed.

For any female runners who are looking for a social outlet, She RUNS This Town is a running community for you. It strongly emphasizes that this is not a club focused on speed or ability but instead wants to create an inclusive space within the fitness world where women can come together to support and uplift each other. It doesn't matter if you are a walker or runner; a mom to humans or a mom to pets (or not a mom at all!) - She RUNS This Town is ready to welcome you into this women’s-only running club that has a passion for staying healthy!

This is a chance to get together with other women for a relaxed run, walk, or jog that is as much about socializing as it is about getting active. Join their private Facebook group for more.

The Triathlon Club of Oklahoma City

Why not spice up your running routine with some multi-sport excitement? The Triathlon Club of Oklahoma City is the perfect place to start, welcoming novice triathletes, Ironman veterans and everyone in between.

This non-profit organization helps all runners, bikers, and swimmers grow their athletic abilities and develop friendships through tri-athletic endeavors and meaningful social contact.  I really like that this is a member-run club with its members organizing all activities, social events, clinics, and workouts.

They run every Wednesday morning at the perky time of 5am from the OKC YMCA. This run lasts for approximately an hour and the course changes weekly to offer intervals, hill running or steady pace options. All levels are welcome.

Other training options include Wednesday night open water swimming at Lake Thunderbird which is followed by a group cookout (a real selling point for me) and a Saturday morning bike ride around Lake Hefner. Again, all bike types and experiences are welcome.

If you’re unsure about triathlon training, you can even check out their free Newbie Clinic, which aims to answer any questions beginners might have about the sport and is hosted by veteran athletes. Go on, give it a tri.

Red Coyote

Red Coyote’s training programs are designed to help every kind of runner take their training to the next level. Whether that looks like completing your first couch-to-5k or taking on a marathon, this running store offers structured coaching programs to help every runner and walker achieve their goal.

As a complete beginner, it can be hard to find a running club or training program that caters for new runners. Red Coyote offers a 5K Newbie Program to tackle this exact issue, providing first-time runners with a fun and interactive introduction into running making it a perfect running club for beginners.

For more advanced athletes, there are also 10k, half and full marathon options, inviting every level of athlete to challenge themselves in a supportive group environment. These groups normally meet three times a week and offer advice on proper hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and running form.

If you’re just looking for a fun and free workout, join Red Coyote every Tuesday for a 3-mile fun run through Mitch Park followed by a free post-run beer from Coop Ale Works. All experience levels are welcome, find out more here.

runHers Women's Club

RunHers is a dynamic and creative women’s lifestyle organization that is founded on the belief that movement is the secret to a healthy, balanced life. This group is for any woman who imagines a better version of herself and is looking for a supportive group of like-minded women to help her achieve it.

RunHers Women’s Club seeks to promote an active lifestyle through running and walking activities. This club has an active and supportive Facebook group that regularly posts informational and interesting content around fitness activities, motivation, and healthy living.  The club offers a number of training programs, creative forums, and entertainment events to help its members become more active.

RunHers is created for women of any age, ability, or ambition to join. This is a non-competitive club that is more focused on creating a supportive community and sense of solidarity for its members. If this sounds like the kind of experience you’re looking for to enrich your fitness journey, you can become a runHer here.

OK Runner

I love run clubs that really prioritize the social component of a group run and this is definitely what OK Runner does. This club’s Run the Alley meetup is a free 3-mile group run for every kind of runner or walker that takes place every Thursday evening. The real highlight of the meetup seems to be what happens after the run, when participants return to the store for door prizes and drawings in which runners can win gift cards, race entries, and even the occasional pair of shoes, before heading to a nearby brewery for drink specials and food. 

What more could you want from a run?

Well, for a bit more heat, you can also check out their training programs, covering every distance from 5K to marathons. These training groups meet three times a week and are tailored to challenge and engage new runners as well as seasoned racers. Other perks include access to a Facebook training group, 50% off Scissortail Running's gait analysis services, and discounts off running shoes after the consultation.

Become an OK Runner here.

There you have it, six of the best running clubs in Oklahoma City. Try one, try them all, just don’t stop running!