Finding a safe space to run: women-only running clubs in the UK

LES RUN is an LGBTQ+ running club created to empower queer women, trans and non-binary people through fitness and community. Co-founders Phoebe Webster and Robyn Tallis are childhood friends who share a love of sport and exercise and are passionate about creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming space. Since starting the group in September 2024, they've grown in numbers and now have around 40 to 50 runners each week – with four different pace groups for people of all speeds and abilities.Webster tells Runner’s World: ‘Running with the LES RUN community feels freeing. It’s a safe space where you’re surrounded by people who just want to run, connect with each other and be their authentic selves. I feel very lucky to be part of it and I hope we can encourage more people to join and experience the same feeling.’

Keen to create a space where Asian women could enjoy being active while building new friendships, Jessica Milloy founded Asian Girls Run. Based in New Malden, the running club hosts weekly Saturday runs for all abilities – including those with no prior running experience at all. Asian Girls Run is a running club built on community, friendship and empowerment.

Website: https://www.asiangirlsrun.com/

A running club turned charity, Black Girls Do Run is dedicated to inspiring more Black women to take up running. Founded by Tasha Thompson, the club holds regular runs in different locations across London – and every session is led by at least one individual with the England Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness qualification. Black Girls Do Run is about building friendships and exploring London – no matter your running pace or experience. Thompson tells Runner’s World: ‘We run for joy, for health, for community. No pace too slow, no distance too short – just women supporting women, one step at a time. It’s about more than just miles; it’s about connection, encouragement, and breaking barriers together.’

Website: https://www.blackgirlsdorun.co.uk/

Hot Boys Athletics, which was established by Kimiko Ninomiya in 2022, describes itself not necessarily as a club but as a ‘women’s running collective’. Looking to be on the speedier side, Hot Boys provides women with a safe space in which they can train and challenge themselves together. Expect track speed sessions, marathon-specific training and an abundance of girl power.

Summer running gear sale founded by Minreet Kaur. While she had previously been adamant that running was not for her, Kaur began running shortly after lockdown, inspired by Bob, a man in his 70s – who regularly did three 10Ks a week – she’d met in the gym’s steam room. Soon enough, she was running just as regularly. However, every morning, when she went out for her run, Kaur only ever saw white people. So, with the guidance and support of fellow London club, Black Girls Do Run, Kaur set up a group exclusively for Asian women – keen to bring her newfound enjoyment of the sport to as many women in her community as possible. The group regularly runs around various West London Parks, and some members are taking on this year’s London Marathon.

Originally founded in 2019 by Sahra-Isha Muhammad-Jones, ASRA is first and foremost a community space centring Muslim women in sports, wellness and sisterhood. Its running club now has more than 200 members who span the UK, Madrid, Paris and New York. While ASRA welcomes all women to its running club, its main aims have always been to tackle the hurdles Muslim women face in exercise and sports and to ensure that no Muslim woman has to compromise on her Iman/faith to achieve her full athletic potential.

Website: https://www.asraclub.com/

Club 99 is a women’s run club that looks like a whole lot of fun. As well as an easy run every Tuesday night, the club trains at the track on a Wednesday morning – perfect if you want to introduce some structure and regularity into your training. If their Instagram is anything to go by, Club 99 also hosts some very fun-looking events. Hard efforts followed by hot chocolate? We’re in.

Founded by Jennifer Mannion – who has featured on the Runner’s World podcast – Runners and Stunners is a women’s running community, which initially began in London but has since expanded to Bristol. In 2023, Mannion posted a Reel asking if anyone wanted to join her for a run – and that one run turned into one of London’s largest women’s running communities. Runners and Stunners hosts runs every weekend ranging between 5K and 10K – and pace-wise, they stick to around 6.45-7.30 min/km.

Led by co-founders and qualified run coaches Ella and Inga, Finsbury Flyers is a women’s run club based around Finsbury Park in North London. The club runs an eight-week course for beginners who would like to work towards running 5K – and two improvers sessions.

Those stats we mentioned earlier? Boldli was created as a direct response. The Putney-based women’s running club doesn’t want any woman to ever feel unsafe on their run. When they aren’t campaigning on social media about women’s safety while running, Boldli hosts accessible weekly runs every Wednesday evening starting at The Duke’s Head in Putney at 6:30pm.

Website: https://boldlirun.com/

Have you always loved the idea of doing a triathlon but don’t know where to start? Cue: 10IronWomen. Founded in 2018, the club exists mainly to provide a community for women to meet new friends and training buddies – but also to encourage and empower women to take on a triathlon. When the co-founders first set up 10IronWomen, they recognised that many women didn’t feel like there was a space for them in the sport. Their ever-growing community proves otherwise.

Website: https://www.10ironwomen.com/

As well as weekly runs, Athene Club hosts monthly walks and hikes and creative and educational workshops. Behind their beautifully curated magazine-like Instagram page, Athene encourages and supports women to find ways of moving that they enjoy. It’s a safe, inclusive and creative space where new friendships are guaranteed.

Sunnie Runners is an inclusive London-based run club founded by Georgia Brown and Ash Spiliopoulou for all people and paces. Ash has experience as a track and field athlete, and Georgia is well-versed in marathon running, so the duo are well-equipped to guide and support new and more experienced runners alike.Brown tells Runner’s World: ‘Unlike many run clubs, we switch up our distance each week to give runners the opportunity to test their limits within a safe and supportive environment. We run two speed groups to allow people to push or pull back at their own pace. Our one rule? Nobody gets left behind.’

As part of its wider work to get more young people active, The Outrunners set up a women only academy with the aim of getting 150 ethnically diverse young women to run a marathon and half marathon. The academy guides the women through all the training and provides kit and race places.

Created by life and wellness coach and runner Matilda Egere-Cooper, Fly Girl Collective began as one of London’s first community running clubs but has since evolved into a wellness platform. Through coaching services, community events, resources, and, of course, running, Fly Girl Collective says it’s on a mission to help Black women and women of colour become the flyest versions of themselves.

Website: https://flygirlcollective.co/

A women-only running club, based and running mostly in and around the Epsom area, the club caters to a wide range of running abilities and running goals from the seriously competitive who regularly race at a high level to just those wishing to get out and move with like-minded women.

'Fast, sweaty, fun, feminine' are the words used to describe Fast Girls Run Club in Manchester. Founded by runner and coach Sally Ratcliff – who has represented Great Britain in the sport – Fast Girls Run Club is for all running abilities. Described as ‘a dynamic community where performance meets fun’, FGRC offers women weekly track sessions and social runs, so whether your goal is to get quicker or to meet new friends, there will be something for you.

Website: https://fastgirlsrunclub.com/run-club/

A running club for lesbians, queer women, sapphics, trans people, non binary people and allies in Manchester, Lesbian Running Club Manchester is pace-inclusive and hosts regular 5K runs (plus the odd pub crawl) around Didsbury.