Free clubs to run and socialise in Bengaluru

Running clubs centred around socialising have emerged in Bengaluru this year. The emphasis is not on marathon training, but on keeping individuals motivated to run short distances on weekends, while offering a new way to meet people.

These online clubs host icebreaker activities before the run, along with simple games, breakfast, or DJ parties afterward. Occasionally, they explore different physical activities.

Metrolife spoke to five such clubs. Helmed by fitness and sports enthusiasts, these groups are free to join. They meet in parks and neighbourhoods on Saturdays or Sundays, and run distances ranging from 3.5 km to 10 km. The majority of participants are in the 20-35 age group. Men and women attend in nearly equal numbers, most organisers say.

Participants often stay after the run to play frisbee, dog and the bone, or try partner squats. Winners of these games, or those who outperform their running average, are rewarded with a free coffee or dosa sometimes.

Keeping it fun

Stride Run Club uses social media content to create a sense of “FOMO (fear of missing out) among those who miss the fun”, its founder Sidharth Yadav admits. Take their mascot, Ducky, for instance. “He’s a 24-year-old IT employee from Bellandur who attends our run every Sunday,” Yadav explains. The three-month-old club meets at Agara Lake in HSR Layout, and each participant gets a Ducky stamp before the run. “We also do speed networking so people get familiar with each other,” he says. 

BEL Bullets Run Club began as a running activity between two friends in the BEL area in February. It now has 90 members running in Cubbon Park, albeit in smaller groups. “We play games like ‘Assassin’ while running,” says founder Tushar Shetty, an AI engineer. Occasionally, they switch it up with activities like spinning, rock climbing, yoga, or pilates.

The 56 Run Club has plans to organise either a pool party, trek, or a game of pickleball to give their runners a break. Recently, they hosted a “sober breakfast party with a DJ” for 95 runners at a cafe on Lavelle Road, says cofounder Arvind Srikanth.

Return rate

Indiranagar Run Club was founded to replicate the neighbourhood running culture its founders had seen in the USA and Australia. “Five people came for our first run in July. In our latest run two weeks ago, we had 380 participants,” says cofounder Prabhudatta Kar, a software engineer.

Walking or jogging can be low-intensity activities and Namma Run Club was conceptualised in September to “get people moving”, says cofounder Rashika Ganeshan. 

For Yadav, starting a running club was a way to meet new people and pursue fitness at the same time. “About 30% of our runners are regulars,” says the content marketer who is new to Bengaluru.

According to Srikanth, “OG Bengalureans” are also finding friends at these clubs as their own have moved away from the city. “They’re also bored of clubbing and scrolling through their phones,” explains the software sales professional.

Want to join?
Their Instagram handles are @56runclub, @belbullets, @indiranagar_runclub, @nammarunclub and @stride_runclub_bengaluru.