Running and triathlon clubs in London: how to find yours
A practical guide for anyone new to London: parkrun first, how to choose a club, and a sample of clubs by area, including triathlon.
At a glance
| Best first step | A free parkrun: a timed 5k every Saturday morning, no club needed |
| Finding a club | England Athletics runs a club finder; British Triathlon runs one for triathlon clubs |
| What to ask | Pace groups, beginner sessions, fees, how often the club meets, and whether you can try before joining |
| Where | The clubs below cover central, west, south-west, south-east and north London |
| Last checked | 19 October 2026, on each club's own website |
Start with parkrun
If you have just moved to London and want to run with other people, the lowest-pressure option is parkrun. The organisation describes it as a free community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. It is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning. You register once, for free, and bring your barcode each week. Its junior version is 2k, for ages 4 to 14, on Sundays. When we checked, parkrun listed 1,466 events in the UK, so there is almost certainly one within a short journey of wherever you live; the events page lets you search by name.
Nobody expects you to be fast, and walkers are welcome. It is a good way to find out how far and how fast you actually want to go before you commit to a club membership.
How to choose a club
London has a lot of running clubs, and they differ more than the names suggest. Some are old-established athletics clubs with track and cross-country teams. Others are friendly road-running groups that meet after work. Some combine running with triathlon. Start by deciding what you want: company on easy runs, structured training, racing, or a mix.
England Athletics, the national governing body for the sport in England, has a find a club page for affiliated clubs. It also explains why to join an affiliated club: affiliated clubs meet its Club Standards, which cover governance, safeguarding, coaching quality and communication, and the page lists questions worth asking before you join. For triathlon, British Triathlon runs a club finder on its website at britishtriathlon.org. We could not load that site when we checked, so look it up directly rather than relying on us.
- Level. Look for words like "all abilities", "beginners" or "improvers" on the club's own page, and for groups organised by pace.
- Try before you join. Some clubs below say visitors are welcome or offer a trial. Ask before you turn up.
- Membership. Fees and affiliation arrangements vary. We do not quote prices here because clubs change them; check the club's page.
- When and where. A club that meets on your commute home is one you will actually attend.
Running clubs by area
The clubs below all have live websites that were updated in the last few months. This is a sample, not a ranking. London has many more, and the club finders above will show them.
| Club | Area | What the club says on its own site |
|---|---|---|
| Serpentine Running & Triathlon Club | Hyde Park, central London | More than 1,000 members, all paces and ages. A Last Friday of the Month 5k in Hyde Park at lunchtime and a Wednesday club run. Reduced rates for students, over-65s, unwaged and under-21s. Has beginners and improvers and triathlon sections. |
| Ranelagh Harriers | Richmond, south-west London | Road and cross-country club for all ages and standards, with a clubhouse behind The Dysart pub next to Richmond Park. |
| Thames Hare & Hounds | Wimbledon Common and Battersea Park | Has run on Wimbledon Common since 1868, with Tuesday evening sessions in Battersea Park. |
| Dulwich Runners | Dulwich, south-east London | Wednesday night runs at 7.15pm from the Edward Alleyn Club, Burbage Road, SE24. Groups by pace, each with a leader. The club's page says guests are welcome and quotes £1 per Wednesday for members and guests. |
| Highgate Harriers | London | A registered charity with an adult running section and track access for members on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Competes in the Met League and other leagues. |
| Clapham Chasers | Clapham and south-west London | A volunteer-run running and triathlon club that describes itself as friendly and offers taster sessions. Its home page also lists the London Cross Country Championships on 7 November 2026 at Parliament Hill. |
| London Heathside | London | Posts regular results, including Met League cross-country fixtures. |
If you like the idea of racing, ask any club about cross-country. London clubs compete in winter leagues such as the Met League, which we list in our race calendar for winter and spring 2027.
Triathlon clubs
Triathlon clubs usually need a pool, a bike route and somewhere to run, so their sessions are spread around London and the home counties. Three that publish current information:
- Thames Turbo Triathlon Club describes itself as inclusive and open to all levels, with a free two-week trial. Its venues include Hampton Pool, the St Mary's University track, Shepperton Lake for open water, and Bushy and Richmond Royal Parks.
- Clapham Chasers has a novice triathlon programme and takes part in the London Triathlon League.
- Serpentine Running & Triathlon Club has a triathlon section alongside its running groups.
If you are new to swimming outdoors, read our open water swimming guide before your first open-water session. Another London triathlon club's website had not been updated for more than a year when we checked, so we have left it out rather than send you to a stale page.
Social running groups
If a formal club feels like too much, RunTogether is England Athletics' national programme of group runs led by qualified leaders. It has a search for groups near you. These are usually aimed at people who want to run regularly without joining a racing club. Some clubs above also run beginner or social sessions, so ask.
What to do this week
- Register for parkrun and do one Saturday.
- Pick two clubs from the table or the club finders, based on where you live or work.
- Read the club's own page for session times and ask whether you can come along for a trial run.
- Check the winter race dates in our calendar once you have found a club to go with.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be fast to join a running club?
No. Several clubs describe themselves as open to all paces and ages, and some run groups by pace with a leader. Check the club's own page and ask about beginner or improver groups.
What is parkrun?
A free, community 5k that takes place every Saturday morning. You can walk, jog, run or volunteer. You register once, for free, on the parkrun website.
How do I find an athletics club near me?
Use the England Athletics find a club page. For triathlon, British Triathlon runs its own club finder at britishtriathlon.org.
Can I try a club before I pay?
Many clubs welcome visitors. Thames Turbo describes a free two-week trial, and Dulwich Runners says guests are welcome on Wednesday nights. Ask any other club directly.
Is a triathlon club only for people who can already swim, bike and run well?
Not necessarily. Clapham Chasers describes a novice triathlon programme, and Thames Turbo says it is open to all levels.
What are cross-country leagues?
Winter races on parks and heathland between clubs. London clubs compete in the Met League, among others. See our race calendar for dates.
Sources
- parkrun UK – what parkrun is and how to register – checked 19 October 2026
- parkrun UK – events page – checked 19 October 2026
- England Athletics – find a club – checked 19 October 2026
- England Athletics – why join an affiliated club – checked 19 October 2026
- England Athletics – RunTogether – checked 19 October 2026
- Serpentine Running & Triathlon Club – checked 19 October 2026
- Ranelagh Harriers – checked 19 October 2026
- Thames Hare & Hounds – checked 19 October 2026
- Dulwich Runners – checked 19 October 2026
- Highgate Harriers – checked 19 October 2026
- Clapham Chasers – checked 19 October 2026
- London Heathside – checked 19 October 2026
- Thames Turbo Triathlon Club – checked 19 October 2026
This is an independent informational guide compiled by the London BGTC Society for its members; we are not affiliated with, nor the organiser of, any club, race or venue named here. All booking and official information lives on the organisers' own websites, linked above. Dates, hours and programmes are subject to change – always confirm with the organiser before making plans.
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