Join the (Running) Club
These local training groups, which are open to runners of all levels, will help you get ready this spring or summer — and introduce you to new friends.
Team In Training – Greater Bay Area Chapter
Support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through fundraising and training for a marathon or half-marathon (run or walk), triathlon, hiking or cycling event. Teams are based all over the Bay Area, including in San Francisco, Marin, the North Bay and the East Bay. A professional coach leads weekly workouts and recommends additional workouts to do individually or with teammates.
teamintraining.org/gba
Nike+ Training Club (San Francisco)
Nike San Francisco offers a variety of free runs and workouts on most days of the week out of its retail locations at 278 Post St. and 2071 Union St., as well as at Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park. Regularly scheduled events include runs ranging from 3 to 11-plus miles; interval training; track workouts; yoga sessions; and the Ready, Set, Go guide emphasizing running fundamentals.
nike.com/sf
Wednesday Night Run at Forward Motion Sports (432 Hartz Ave., Danville)
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Forward Motion Sports, which has hosted this free all-comers run for more than 25 years. Year-round, runs start at the store and continue on the paved Iron Horse Regional Trail — runners may stay on the trail or access designated routes from it, including trail runs of 5 miles or more in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Track your miles and work toward the 100-, 500-, 1,000-mile club and beyond.
forwardmotion.com
Tamalpa Runners (Marin)
Tamalpa Runners helps runners train for local races, including its own racing series and the 106th annual Dipsea Race from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach on June 12, but the main objective is promoting the joy of running. Attend track workouts at San Rafael High on Tuesday evenings, College of Marin on Thursday mornings and Novato High on Saturday mornings; 10-mile tempo runs on Tuesday mornings; and the New Members Run at Ross Commons on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Plus, join fellow members on informal runs. $35/year for individuals (special rates for families), tamalparunners.org
Dolphin South End Runners (San Francisco)
Looking for some friendly competition? This primarily volunteer-run organization hosts low-cost, low-key races of 2 to 6-plus miles on most Sundays of the year, as well as half-mile Kids Races and free training runs. Most races are $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers, and free for children 12 and younger. Walkers are welcome and encouraged to start before the scheduled race time. $25/year for individuals, $30 for families; dserunners.com