Lace em’ up: These are 8 Kansas City run clubs happening this summer
If you’re looking for ways to stay fit while making new connections, a Kansas City run club may be calling your name.
Joining a run club has been a popular trend for adults in the 2020s, giving people a chance to lace up their shoes, meet early in the morning and run throughout their city. Its also been one of the hottest trends when it comes to dating, but that’s a story for another day.
There are several run clubs to check out throughout the Kansas City area this summer. Most of the clubs are free, but you do get perks for the clubs that you pay a membership for. These are eight that you can join this summer.
816 Run Club
- When: 7:30 a.m. Saturdays
- Where: Rochester Brewing and Roasting, 2129 Washington St.
816 Run Club runs weekly long routes, though you can go at your own pace. There’s a 5K club option, and water coolers are available every 2 miles through the routes.
This run club does cost money. The supporter level costs $35 a year, while the Team 816 membership will run you $95 and give you access to group speed sessions twice per week and additional perks.
816 Run Club says that it costs money due route setups, coolers, signs and more. The club also offers running coaches, which comes at a separate cost.
9RUN3 Club
- When: 6:30 p.m. Fridays
- Where: The Running Well Store, 6009 Johnson Dr Unit B, Mission
This run club goes roughly 3–4 miles in Mission, Kansas.
Elysium Run Club
- When: 8 a.m. Saturdays
- Where: 1819 Grand Blvd.
The Elysium Run Club has track sessions that meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Smithville High School in Smithville, Missouri. They also have Sunday trail runs at 7:30 a.m. You can find out the latter location when you register.
Kansas City Run Club
- When: 6 p.m. Mondays
- Where: Trolley Track Trail, 5101–5131 Brookside Blvd.
Founded in 1978, the Kansas City Run Club is for adult and youth runners that are doing any distance and pace. It also hosts its own races, including the Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run and the Cliff Hanger Run.
This club has multiple group runs throughout the week across the metro. That includes Blue Springs, Northland, Shawnee and more. More information on when and where those runs meet can be found on runsignup.com.
The basic membership will cost you $35 a year, which comes with a run club shirt, discounts on races, free interval training and more. The gold membership is $100 a year, giving folks free access to the KCRC races.
Kansas Run Club
- When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
- Where: Mill Creek Park, West 47th Street & Mill Creek Parkway
The route for the Kansas Run Club is around 3 miles according to the sign-up site. The club has had over 200 runners run together throughout the Plaza area.
Percheron Run Club
- When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
- Where: Crossroads Hotel, 2101 Central St.
The Percheron Run Club goes roughly 3 miles through the Crossroads. Free beers are provided by the Crossroads Hotel for runners afterward.
Run it BlaKC
- When: 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. Saturdays
- Where: Ruby Jean’s Kitchen & Juicery, 3000 Troost Ave.
Run It BlaKC is an inclusive run club that shows up for local races, while also hosting wellness events and city-wide activations. It also offers multiple route options, going from 2 to 6 miles.
RUN VSB
- When: 6:30 p.m. Mondays
- Where: Vine Street Brewing Co., 2010 Vine St., Building 2A
This run starts and finishes at Vine Street Brewing Co., where you can receive a discount on your choice of beer afterward.
Did we miss any? Feel free to let us know at ralexander@kcstar.com.
