How to Know You’ve Found a Good Run Club (And Why It Matters for Safety)

How to Know You’ve Found a Good Run Club (And Why It Matters for Safety)

At BOLDLI, we believe that running should feel safe, supported, and free — no matter the time, pace, or postcode. We launched to help women and all runners find community and confidence on every run; and that includes helping you find run clubs that align with those values.

Run clubs can be incredible for motivation, structure, and social connection. But they can also make or break how safe you feel — especially if you’ve had a negative experience in the past.

So what makes a good run club?

Here’s what to look for. And by the way – if you're looking for a great social run, don't forget that BOLDLI has it's own: on the last Wednesday of every month, at The Clubhouse in Putney! Join us (and RSVP here)!


Signs of a Supportive, Safety-Focused Run Club

Whether you’re a beginner or building up to a marathon, these are the green flags:

1. Welcoming to All Paces and Backgrounds

A great club isn’t just for the fastest runners. Look for a group that offers multiple pace options, beginner-friendly sessions, and openly welcomes new faces. Feel welcomed as soon as you get there? That gets a tick from us.

2. Clear Code of Conduct

The best clubs have written expectations around behaviour, inclusivity, and respect. They don’t just wing it — they set the tone early. (Keep reading for how BOLDLI is changing the game with our own Code of Conduct for run clubs.)

3. Responsive and Inclusive Leaders

Whether it’s about accessibility, safety concerns, or just asking where the toilets are and bags are left — you should feel heard. A club’s leaders should create space for feedback, not deflect it. Too often, we get stories of how someone brought up a concern and it's been deflected; we're not about that, and no good run club is, either.

4. Social and Structured Runs

A mix of sessions — social runs, long runs, intervals — shows the club’s invested in your whole running journey, not just performance. If you can chat through a social run, grab a coffee or drink after and feel comfortable – but just as easily turn up to a track session and feel safely pushed to your limits, that'd a great run club to us. Reminder: social run clubs can be standalone things, and that's totally fine too!

5. You Feel Safe Showing Up Solo

This might be the biggest one. If a club makes you feel comfortable turning up on your own — without needing a plus-one — that’s a sign they’re doing something right. You shouldn't need a wingman to feel safe on a first run; but if you want to bring one, that's totally fine too.


Safety First: Why It’s Not Your Job Alone

At BOLDLI, we’re rewriting the conversation around women’s safety in running. You shouldn’t be told to “just don’t run after 6pm” or “carry your keys between your fingers.”

Safety shouldn’t be a burden placed on individual women — it should be a shared community responsibility. That’s why we’re building features that help runners:

  • Find safe routes and meeting points
  • Join community-led runs
  • See which clubs align with our values

Follow our socials and keep an eye out for when we launch the BOLDLI app: it could change the way you feel on your next run.


Coming Soon: The BOLDLI-Accredited Run Club Badge

We’re creating a BOLDLI Code of Conduct that clubs can sign to show their commitment to inclusion, safety, and respect.

When a club signs and shares our Code, they’ll earn the right to display the BOLDLI Accredited badge — a trust signal that tells runners, “You’re safe here.”

Once it launches, you’ll be able to:

  • Search for BOLDLI-accredited clubs near you
  • Encourage your local club to join the movement
  • Run with confidence, knowing the standards are in place

If you’re part of a club that wants to lead the way in safe, inclusive running — get in touch with us here.


We all run these streets.

The running community should be a place where everyone belongs. Finding the right club isn’t just about pace or performance – it’s about trust, comfort, and community.

At BOLDLI, we’re here to help you feel empowered every step of the way.

If you've had a good or bad experience with a run club, we'd love to hear about it. Share your story and help us grow the movement.

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