The best running groups, clubs and routes in the East End of London
Whether you run solo or seek community, take inspiration from our 2025 guide for a fresh path this new year.
2024 saw a boom in running club popularity. With searches for the term on Google at an all-time high, for many, joining a running club has symbolised a desire to prioritise physical and mental health whilst finding friends and community.
For others, running is simply a great opportunity to enjoy some quiet headspace and with over 120 parks in Tower Hamlets alone, there is certainly no shortage of green spaces to unwind solo.
So whether you’re already tasting the pint at the end of the Hackney Half, or just looking to take it slow and steady with a supportive community, our list of local clubs and routes is here to guide you through.
Running Clubs
The Outrunners in Hackney Wick
BEST FOR: Youngsters and adults of all abilities
The Outrunners is a youth charity and adult running club with stomping grounds just a short hop away in Hackney Wick and Victoria Park. The charity has twin purposes and functions as a charity for young people aged 8-18, as well as an adult running club. The club hosts a mixed-ability women’s session on Tuesdays for Black, Asian and Muslim backgrounds and an improver session that is open to all and covers distances from 8 to 14km.
Alongside these sessions, the club provides mentoring and helps children develop their confidence, leadership skills and career prospects.
The Outrunners HQ can be found at Units DG04, Hackney Bridge, E15 2SJ and for more information go to Theoutrunners.co.uk
Mile End Parkrun
BEST FOR: A Trustworthy 5k on your doorstep
For those familiar with the ‘Couch to 5k’, the Mile End Parkrun is ideal. Providing a relaxed start for budding runners, their regular 5k sets off from Mile End stadium on Saturday at 9 am and they also run a 2k Junior Parkrun on Sunday at 9.30 am, but organisers encourage people to arrive half an hour early for a chat and a warm-up. Do not fret if you are not the next Mo Farah, you can simply turn up to watch, enjoy a cup of coffee or take a brisk stroll. You may even surprise yourself to find that you are indeed fleet of foot.
Find Mile End Stadium at 190 Burdett Rd, London E3 4HL and for more information go to Parkrun.org.uk/mileend
East London Runners
BEST FOR: East End and beyond
East London Runners meet on Wednesday evenings at Eton Manor Rugby Club in Wanstead except for the first Wednesday of the month, when they meet at a local pub and hold a club social after the run.
As a new addition, on Sunday mornings, East London Runners will run the 90-mile Capital Ring (in stages of approximately 10 miles, or over 10 Sundays) with coffee and cake in a cafe after the run. For a true East End experience, look out for their occasional runs through Shoreditch featuring a stop for a Brick Lane bagel.
East London Runners is based in Redbridge Lane West, Wanstead, E11 2JZ, but monitor their ‘What’s On’ page for local events at Eastlondonrunners.org.uk
Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club
BEST FOR: Aspiring athletes and ambitious beginners
A charitable trust open to those aged nine and above with a growing membership of around 400, from beginners to Team GB athletes. Whether you are one of the East End’s fiercest roadrunners or a rookie seeking training, the club caters for all. Based out of St. Augustine Hall in the northeast end of Vicky Park, participants can partake in track, field, road and cross-country runs in a friendly environment with events like yoga and pilates also offered at the clubhouse.
Find the club at St Augustine’s Hall, Cadogan Terrace, E9 5EG and more information at Vphthac.org.uk
Good Gym in Tower Hamlets
BEST FOR: Feel good fitness in the community
Every week across Tower Hamlets, a group of runners join forces and work out by helping local community projects and run back, all within 90 minutes. They meet at the Town Hall Hotel, drop their bags and run to a Tower Hamlets community organisation chosen by the local GoodGym rep in Tower Hamlets, Laura Williams. You then work hard with the running group, digging, lifting, scraping and clearing for a good cause and run back with a few intervals, sprints and stretches en route. A qualified trainer will lend a hand in leading a group stretch afterwards and celebrate the community action you all achieved that day.
For more information visit GoodGym.org.
Queer Run Club
BEST FOR: Queer-identifying runners
Queer Running Club describes itself as a non-judgemental community for queer-identifying people to run together without judgment or fear. Sessions, of which there are three, are usually one hour long and led by two coaches (Kole Fulmine and Sam Purnell) and two leaders (Dalia Saris and Luke Kene, each ending with a social.
The Saturday Morning Long Run meets at Thingy Cafe in Hackney Wick for an 8km run around Victoria Park. There is a bag drop available and a coffee social at the cafe afterwards.
QRC bookings can be made via the BEND app.
Self-led routes around the East End
BEST FOR: A picturesque East End tour
If you want to run on your own, Map My Run suggests a self-led Limehouse loop around our finest canal paths. Begin in Bethnal Green, dash past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to hidden gem Fish Island and breeze along to Bromley-by-Bow before a quick, or slow, finish in Mile End. This running route gives you a condensed view of our beloved patch while administering a euphoric adrenaline burst.
BEST FOR: Canalside jogging
Explore this 10.1 km circular trail through Tower Hamlets. Marked as an ‘easy’ route (we will let you be the judge of that) this route takes around two to three hours to complete and winds along the waterways of the East End. A great place to begin and end your walk is at Limehouse DLR station. From there, head straight down the stairs and continue until you reach Limehouse Basin. The route follows the Limehouse Cut, River Lea, Hertford Union Canal, and Regent’s Canal. It takes you along the side of Victoria Park and almost down to the Thames. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
For more route ideas try Mapmyrun.com/routes/search
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