Sweat and Socialize at These Ten Run Clubs in Denver

Growing up, fitness and friendships were built into routines. As a working adult with limited free time, staying in shape and forming connections demand a whole lot more effort. But maybe you can knock out both goals at once with a group workout.

While kickball leagues and pickleball match-ups often appeal to the singles crowd, these local run clubs are open to just about everyone at no cost. From racers training to beat personal bests to non-runners headed straight for the brewery, there’s a group waiting to welcome you with open, sweaty arms. Here’s when and where to hit the pavement in Denver.

Cerebral Run Club
1477 Monroe Street
3257 Lowell Boulevard
Denver Athletics hosts a weekly run club at both Cerebral Brewing locations. Visit the Congress Park taproom at 6 p.m. every Monday for a one to three-mile run around City Park. Participants are divided into groups based on their preferred pace, with speeds ranging from eight to ten minutes per mile. Also, at 6 p.m. every Wednesday from March through November, the West Highland outpost holds a 1.6-mile run with an optional track workout halfway through. Feel the burn before well-earned beers, which are a dollar off post-run.

Citius RC
Multiple locations
Whether you’re set on a personal record or a social experience, Citius run club has options. Events are organized into multiple pace groups spanning seven to eleven minutes per mile. Newcomers are encouraged to join its standard eight-mile run, which rotates locations at 8 a.m. each Saturday (the summer start-time is 7 a.m.). Citius also hosts a recurring Track Tuesday session, a tempo workout on Thursday mornings and a “breakfast club” run at 6 a.m. every Friday, which ends at various local coffee shops.

Cooldown
1610 Little Raven Street
Rather than pace, this athletic apparel brand puts an emphasis on community, welcoming all to join its nationwide social club. At 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday (or 6 p.m. during the winter), groups meet at various restaurants, breweries and coffee shops to run or walk a one-to-three-mile route, followed by post-workout drinks. Events are also hosted in Boulder at 4 p.m. Sundays and in Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods at 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Denver Beer Company
1695 Platte Street
At 6:30 p.m. every Thursday from February through November, this local craft brewery’s Highland location hosts the Colorado Harriers run club. All abilities can take part in its weekly tempo run, which ends with buy one, get one free beers (newcomers also get their first round covered). If you need something to train for, sign up for Denver Beer Company’s annual 50k race happening on Saturday, May 2, which connects all five of its metro area taprooms.

Denver Run Club
2920 Larimer Street
Take a lap through RiNo with Denver Run Club, which meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. The 5k route circles back to Ratio Beerworks, where many stick around for drinks at one of the city’s best breweries. On occasion, this group also hosts branded pop-ups and special events at other locations around the city.

Elevate Trail Club
16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden
This new trail running club met for the first time on April 1, with events scheduled at 6 a.m. every Wednesday. Though most start at New Terrain Brewing Company and follow varying six to seven-mile routes up North Table Mountain, every fourth run takes place on a different trail near Denver. Pace groups cater to everyone, from hikers to experienced racers.

Odell Brewing Co.
2945 Larimer Street
1625 Perry Street
All year round, Odell Brewing Co. hosts run clubs at both its metro area locations. Join people and pups at the Sloan’s Lake outpost at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. All levels are welcome at these no-drop runs, which have organized pace groups and varying routes spanning three to five miles. Meanwhile, the Five Points brewhouse’s club gathers at 6:30 p.m. every Monday, with rotating routes available to runners and walkers. Participants get beers for just $5 a pint.

Runners Roost
Multiple locations
Since opening in Colorado Springs in 1977, this local running retailer has grown to ten locations across the Front Range. Most host a run club on evenings throughout the week. Log miles outside the Central Park store at 5:45 p.m. each Monday, or go the distance at 6 p.m. every Thursday when both the Lakewood and Golden clubs meet. These events are open to all fitness levels and frequently involve gear demos, as well as social hours at nearby breweries.

Sexc Pace
Multiple locations
Keep things fresh with Sexc Pace, which features a new host and a new five-mile route at 6 a.m. every Thursday. Its no-drop group runs have an average pace of around nine minutes per mile. After working up a sweat, stick around for drinks and conversation. All events with this social club start and end at a local coffee shop, such as Hearth, Metropolis and Moonflower.

We’re Not Really Runners
Multiple locations
Its name says it all. We’re Not Really Runners is a national social club that guarantees a judgment-free experience. At 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, the Denver chapter meets at various restaurants, breweries and coffee shops across the city. Join for a three-mile run or 1.5-mile walk, followed by bites and sips at popular venues.