Run Clubs in Upper West Side
8 run clubs meeting in Upper West Side, Manhattan.
Central Park Run Club
Central Park Run Club is a free, coach-led club that punches above its casual branding — 15+ coaches build distinct structured workouts for each of the four weekly sessions, ranging from speed work on Tuesdays to long runs on Saturdays, all meeting at the Loeb Boathouse. It draws runners training for marathons alongside pure social runners, and the no-cost barrier keeps the field wide and mixed-pace. With 12K Instagram followers and a Strava presence, it has built real scale without a membership fee. The vibe is community-first with genuine coaching infrastructure underneath — closer to a coached group than a casual jog.
Central Park Running Club
A free social run club meeting every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30am at the Loeb Boathouse, breaking down the walls between elite and social runners. All paces welcome.
Upper West Side Run Club
Upper West Side Run Club was founded in February 2023 by Maddy Nguyen, a then-25-year-old tech recruiter who couldn't find the right community to train for marathons — so she started one via Instagram and a Facebook group. Three runs a week (Sunday mornings at the Eleanor Roosevelt Monument, Tuesday mornings in Central Park, Thursday evenings at the Natural History Museum) at 8-11 min/mile conversational pace, with coffee after morning runs and drinks after evening ones. The vibe is warm, younger-skewing, and genuinely social — the club has been featured in the New York Times for how much people lean on these communities for connection. Free, no sign-up required.
Upper West Side Runners
Upper West Side Runners is a free, community-run club meeting three times a week at 85th & Central Park West — Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings — with pace leaders for 9, 10, and 11-minute miles so everyone has someone to run with. The culture is event-oriented: they coordinate group entries for races like the NY Women's Mini 10K and Joe Kleinerman 10K, partner with neighboring clubs, and run holiday parties and socials throughout the year. Runs end at local bars or coffee shops depending on the time of day. No sign-up, no fee, just show up.
Urban Feet NYC
A Saturday morning run club meeting at the W72nd St. entrance to Central Park for runners of varying abilities, with a post-run stop at a local coffee shop. All paces welcome. Post-run at Local coffee shop.
UWS Run Club
Upper West Side Run Club was founded in February 2023 by Maddy Nguyen, a then-25-year-old tech recruiter who couldn't find the right community to train for marathons — so she started one via Instagram and a Facebook group. Three runs a week (Sunday mornings at the Eleanor Roosevelt Monument, Tuesday mornings in Central Park, Thursday evenings at the Natural History Museum) at 8-11 min/mile conversational pace, with coffee after morning runs and drinks after evening ones. The vibe is warm, younger-skewing, and genuinely social — the club has been featured in the New York Times for how much people lean on these communities for connection. Free, no sign-up required.
Warren Street Social & Athletic Club
One of NYC's oldest continuously competitive running clubs, founded 1978. Free membership and coaching. Competitive racing emphasis with a strong social identity — motto: 'Remember the Social in our full name comes before the AC.' Notable alumni include Khalid Khannouchi (former marathon world record holder) and Pat Petersen (former USA marathon record holder). Trains twice weekly in Central Park: Tuesday night speed sessions (Boathouse, 74th St) and Saturday morning long runs (Engineers Gate, 90th St). Competes in NYRR Championship Series, NY Runs, and USATF events. Welcoming to all levels despite the competitive core.
West Side Runners (WSX)
One of NYC's oldest and most decorated competitive running clubs, rooted in the West Side YMCA since the 1970s and formally established in 1980 when president Bill Staab helped three Colombian runners enter the NYC Marathon. Roughly one-third Ethiopian with strong Latin American representation — serious immigrant runners who compete nationally and internationally. Staab has reportedly spent close to $1 million of his own money on entry fees, memberships, and visa support over 40+ years. The most dominant men's club team in NYC for years. Trains in Central Park and at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Competitive, not casual — but deeply community-driven. Featured in GQ, New York Times, NBC, and CS Monitor.