Can a Run Club Really Work for Everyone?
One of the biggest challenges facing any run club is catering to a wide range of abilities. Your group might include someone training for their first parkrun alongside someone preparing for their fifth marathon. The gap between the fastest and slowest runner can be enormous, and if you do not manage it well, one or both ends of the spectrum will feel alienated.
The good news is that mixed-ability clubs can absolutely work. Some of the most successful running communities in the UK bring together runners of all levels and make every single one of them feel valued. It takes thought, planning, and a genuine commitment to inclusivity, but the result is a richer, more vibrant community than any single-pace group could ever be.
Here is how to make it happen.
Start with Your Language
The way you talk about your club matters more than you might realise. Words like "easy," "slow," and "beginner" carry different connotations depending on who is reading them. What feels easy to a seasoned runner might be terrifying to someone who has never run a kilometre in their life.
Be specific rather than vague. Instead of saying "easy pace," say "conversational pace, around six to seven minutes per kilometre." Instead of "beginners welcome," try "suitable for all levels, including people who are completely new to running." Specificity removes ambiguity and helps people self-select into the right group.
Avoid language that unintentionally creates a hierarchy. Phrases like "the fast group" and "the slow group" immediately rank people. Try "Group A: 5 to 5:30 per kilometre" and "Group B: 6 to 7 per kilometre" instead. Or use names rather than speeds: the social group, the training group, the progression group.
Your social media and club listings should reflect this inclusive language. When people find your club on the RunClub app, the description should make it clear that all abilities are genuinely welcome, not just tolerated.
Structure Your Sessions for Mixed Abilities
The most common approach to managing mixed abilities is pace groups. This works well when you have enough members to split into two or three groups, each with a designated leader or front-runner.
But pace groups are not the only option. Here are several session formats that naturally accommodate different abilities.
Out-and-back runs. Everyone runs out from the meeting point for a set time, say fifteen minutes, then turns around and comes back. Faster runners cover more distance, slower runners cover less, but everyone finishes at roughly the same time and in the same place. This is one of the simplest and most effective formats for mixed groups.
Loop circuits. Design a short loop of one to two kilometres near your meeting point. Faster runners complete more loops, slower runners complete fewer. Everyone is running the same route, just different amounts of it. This keeps the group visible to each other and makes it easy for people to stop when they have had enough.
Interval sessions with recovery. Intervals are a natural equaliser because everyone works to their own capacity. A session of six times three minutes hard with two minutes recovery challenges a four-minute-per-kilometre runner just as much as a seven-minute-per-kilometre runner. The effort is relative, even if the distance covered is different.
Time-based rather than distance-based sessions. Instead of saying "we are running 5K tonight," say "we are running for thirty minutes." This removes the pressure of hitting a specific distance and lets everyone work at their own level.
Buddy runs. Pair experienced runners with newer members for a session. The experienced runner adjusts their pace to match their buddy, and the newer runner gets personal support and encouragement. This builds connections across ability levels and helps newcomers feel less isolated.
The Role of Run Leaders
If your club is big enough to have multiple pace groups, each group needs a leader. This person sets the pace, keeps the group together, and ensures nobody is left behind.
The back-marker role is just as important as the front-runner. Having a designated person at the back of the group ensures that the slowest runner always has company and never feels abandoned. This role should be filled by someone who is genuinely happy to run at a slower pace and who understands that their job is to support, not to push.
Brief your run leaders before each session. Make sure they know the route, the expected pace, and any members who might need extra attention. A quick two-minute chat before the run starts can prevent problems during it.
Welcome New Members Properly
The first session is make or break. If a new member feels lost, ignored, or out of their depth, they will not come back. A proper welcome process makes all the difference.
Greet them personally. When someone new turns up, the club leader or a designated welcomer should introduce themselves, ask about the new member's running experience, and explain how the session works.
Introduce them to someone at their level. Pair them with a regular member who runs at a similar pace. This gives the newcomer an immediate connection and someone to run with who understands what they are going through.
Check in during and after the run. A quick "How are you finding it?" during the run and "How was that for you?" afterwards shows that you care about their experience. If they struggled, reassure them. If they loved it, encourage them to come back.
Follow up. A message after their first session saying "Great to have you tonight, hope to see you next week" takes thirty seconds and significantly increases the chance of them returning.
The RunClub app makes this easier by letting new members join your club digitally before they even turn up. They can see the session details, the route, and what to expect, which reduces the anxiety of showing up to something unknown.
Create a Culture, Not Just a Club
Inclusivity is not a policy. It is a culture. And culture is built through repeated actions, not one-off statements.
Celebrate all achievements equally. A first-time 5K finisher deserves the same recognition as a marathon personal best. When you celebrate effort and progress rather than speed and distance, you send a clear message about what your club values.
Share diverse stories. On your social media and in your club communications, feature members of all abilities. Do not just post photos of the fast group finishing first. Share the story of the member who walked their first kilometre, the one who came back after injury, the one who ran in the rain for the first time.
Address problems quickly. If a faster runner is consistently leaving the group behind or making dismissive comments about pace, address it privately but firmly. One person's behaviour can undermine the inclusive culture you have worked hard to build.
Ask for feedback regularly. Check in with members at all levels. Are beginners feeling supported? Are experienced runners feeling challenged? Is anyone feeling left out? The answers will help you fine-tune your approach.
Accessibility Beyond Pace
Inclusivity is about more than just running speed. Think about the broader accessibility of your club.
Physical accessibility. Are your routes suitable for runners with mobility aids or pushchairs? Can people with visual impairments participate safely? You do not need every session to be fully accessible, but offering occasional sessions on flat, wide, well-lit paths shows that you have thought about it.
Financial accessibility. If you charge a membership fee, consider offering a reduced rate or a free trial for people who cannot afford it. Cost should never be the reason someone misses out on being part of a running community.
Social accessibility. Some people find group settings intimidating, particularly if they are new to running or new to the area. Offering smaller, more intimate sessions alongside your main group run can help these members ease in at their own pace.
Time accessibility. Not everyone can make a Tuesday evening session. If possible, offer sessions at different times to accommodate different schedules. A weekend morning run alongside your weekday evening session doubles the chances of people being able to attend.
The Reward of Getting It Right
An inclusive run club is a stronger run club. When people of all abilities run together, the experienced runners gain perspective and the newer runners gain inspiration. The community becomes richer, the conversations become more varied, and the shared sense of achievement becomes more powerful.
It takes effort to build this kind of club. It requires thought, planning, and a willingness to put the needs of your members above your own preferences. But the reward is a community where everyone genuinely belongs, and that is worth every bit of effort.
Build your inclusive running community with the RunClub app. Create events for all levels, share routes, manage pace groups, and welcome new members with ease. Download RunClub today and start building a club where every runner matters.
