With most athletic clubs and societies requiring high fees and high commitment, navigating the sports scene at university can be daunting. Fortunately, there is a free and flexible solution. Run clubs are a great way to get exercise, take a breather from classes, and meet some new people! Here are a few in Edinburgh that you might want to try out…
If you’re looking for something social and chatty, Cult Running Club (sister of Cult Coffee Roasters), based on the east side of the Meadows, hosts a short run around the park every Saturday morning at a relaxed pace. For the not-so-early birds, there are run clubs hosted in the evening-time that visit a variety of local pubs, such as EdinBar Runners. Every Sunday evening, they enjoy a gentle, 5 km run at often a different location from the last, ending at a nearby pub where you can get to know your fellow runners.
If you’re not based in the south of Edinburgh, from Portobello to the city centre to Leith, there’s always an alternative. We Run Edinburgh is a run club for women, which begins right around the corner from St. James Quarter and involves a 5-7 km. Even further north in New Town are the EH3 milers, who enjoy a casual 5 km run usually towards the end of the week. Towards the east, Good Time Running Club hosts a number of runs throughout the week along Portobello beach.
No matter where you are or when you’re available, joining a running community is always a possibility. Best of luck!
“CL Society 320: Runners” by francisco_osorio is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
