Join a Nearby Running Club!

By Corey Burdick

Whether you are new to the sport of running or a long-time road or trail racer, daily training can sometimes be a cherished, pre-dawn solo endeavor, but as you’ll read below, there are many benefits to connecting with a local running club! Joining a running club often comes with perks. Many offer race fee discounts and even running gear deals at local shops, but perhaps, the biggest benefit comes in making new friends who share a common interest and the good feeling that ensues from keeping the sport thriving.

Below, are a few options for all of you club curious runners out there. I encourage you to explore your local area and see if there's a group that might be worth trying out, even for a run or two! While a web page or social media can give you a glimpse into what a club might be like, in Vermont, as with many activities, often the best way to make connections with a fellow human is to simply show up. Your next training partner or cheer squad may literally be right around the corner!

Batten Kill Valley Runners – According to club president Judy Raffone, BKVR was established in the mid-1990s by a group of runners living near the Batten Kill, a river that runs from the mountains of southwestern Vermont to the Hudson River near Greenwich, NY.

The club supports running and racing on the roads and trails of this beautiful region. They organize group runs, two races, and help support other organizations that sponsor running events. Their races are the Steve Zemianek Bennington Road Race (10M and 3.8M) in North Bennington on Sunday, May 3, and on Thanksgiving, the Running of the Turkeys 5K in Arlington, VT on Thursday, Nov. 26.

BKVR members live in Vermont, New York, and beyond, and get discounted race fees, have access to free fun runs – they try to have a moonlight run monthly on the Saturday or Sunday closest to the full moon, weather dependent. They also support scholarships to deserving seniors in the Battenkill watershed (four NY and four VT high schools) who are involved in the running community and have an interest in the sport. Membership is $20 or $25 for a couple or a family. Judy added, “We run because it’s fun and everyone is welcome to join – come out and run with some really great folks!” People can join by mail or online: bkvr.net.

Central Vermont Runners – Club president Tim Noonan shared that Central Vermont Runners has been in existence for 46 years and is enjoying robust growth. They have over 300 members and organize 20 races ranging from one -mile to half-marathons. Their membership fee is a reasonable at $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Montpelier-based outdoor retailer Onion River Outdoors offers members a generous 15% discount on running shoes and gear. Lenny's Shoes provides a 10% discount on running shoes. 

In addition to races, CVR organizes fun runs, winter group runs, trail runs, and various social outings. They also put on a race series in partnership with Onion River Outdoors. Check out their website for the latest: cvrunners.org.

Green Mountain Athletic Association – Ruth Blauwiekel, membership coordinator, shared that GMAA is Vermont’s oldest and largest running club. Since 1976, the Green Mountain has promoted fellowship, good health, and friendly competition through running. The club hosts nine running races: Sap Run 10K in Westford on March 28; Pump It Up 5-Miler in Jericho on May 9; Clarence DeMar 5K in South Hero on July 4; Round Church Women’s Run in Richmond on July 25; Red Rocks 5K in South Burlington on Aug. 1; Apple Harvest 10K in Shelburne on Sept. 26; Champlain Islands Marathon and Half in South Hero on Oct. 18; Ghostly Gallop Trail 5K in Milton on Oct. 25; and the GMAA Turkey Trot 5K Food Drive on Nov. 26. 

GMAA sponsors a team of runners who compete at regional events such as the Capital City Stampede in Montpelier and the Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester, MA. The Club also organizes year-round track workouts, group runs in Burlington and throughout Chittenden County, and other informal training opportunities for its 400+ members.

Club membership includes discounted race entry fees, discounts at local retailers, a weekly e-newsletter with training tips and workout ideas from their running coach, and the opportunity to support local running and the community at large. A portion of proceeds from races and memberships are used to support area organizations such as Girls On the Run, Feeding Chittenden, and other local nonprofits. The GMAA also has an annual scholarship program to benefit college-bound high school seniors who have been active in the running community. 

There are many opportunities to get runs in with GMAA members throughout the week from their Sunday Long Run in Richmond to speedwork at the UVM track in Burlington. Runs are available early in the morning as well as in the evenings to accommodate varied schedules. There’s a distance and speed for everyone: gmaa.run.

Long Trail Running Club – This club’s tagline is trails, friends, community. The trail running club’s goal is to “provide an inclusive running community to coordinate group runs, socialize, share stories, give trail and race reports, and share some miles together.” Post-run can involve grabbing beverages, snacks, and always camaraderie. The club’s number one rule is to “be kind” and any aspiring or experienced runner is warmly welcome! 

The Long Trail Running Club is free for the first six months. After this period if you enjoy the group, you can feel free to join for $5 per year (this covers Meetup app fees). Runs typically take place in the greater Burlington area and the latest are posted on their Meetup page: meetup.com. The Long Trail website has a page dedicated to FAQs for anyone curious about the group: longtrailrunningclub.com.

Marble Valley Runners – The Rutland-based running club has been active for 21 years. Current president Joel Flewelling shared that the Marble Valley Runners was founded in 2005 and has about 20 members. The club doesn’t currently host any races.

Marble Valley does hold group runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as long runs on the weekend. Tuesday 6:30pm runs will switch over to trail running at Pine Hill Park as soon as the trails dry out. Thursday 6:30pm runs start from Evelyn Street near the Amtrak Station. Weekend runs are variable depending on the weather and distance. The best way to find them is to show up for a group run or on social media: facebook.com.

Red Clover Rovers – The club is based in Brattleboro and was founded in January 1978. According to Fred Ross, admin of their Facebook page, the group is now pretty much a “ghost club” with a few that keep it going. Those club members put on the Bill Bowers Memorial Firecracker 4-Miler on July 4, and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Fun runs fell to the wayside a couple years ago – if you want to add life to the Rovers in Brattleboro, active new members are welcome. 

The Rovers also organize the Pisgah Mountain 50K & 23K Trail Races, which have a new race director, and will be held at Pisgah State Park in Chesterfield, NH on Sept. 13.” Learn more: facebook.com.

Richmond Trail Running Club – What started as a small meetup to build trail running community in 2019, became a club in 2022 with a mission “to provide an inclusive and welcoming space for runners to build community, challenge themselves, and explore local outdoor spaces.” They organize different weekly running adventures, and direct the “Aliza Lapierre Fan Club” 26K, 50K, and 2-Person Relay on July 18. They also direct the Richmond Ultra Trail Festival (RUTFest), a 36-hour charity run on a 7M looped course each fall. The events have supported addiction recovery, wilderness therapy, and our veterans. In 2023, they adopted the Duck Brook trail, a 4.5M side trail abutting the Long Trail in Bolton: richmondtrailrunningclub.com.

Upper Valley Running Club – Running the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River in NH, VT and beyond, the UVRC is a diverse community of runners that promotes and encourages running as a healthy activity and competitive sport. They’re committed to a safe, equitable, and diverse environment for all of their members.

The club offers weekly training and group runs and members have the opportunity to participate in two race series: the Upper Valley Running Series and the New Hampshire Grand Prix. The running series are local road races available to UVRC members, with prizes awarded to finishers who complete the required number of races. Additionally, members can take part in the grand prix, a statewide competition between New Hampshire running clubs.

UVRC members believe, as many fellow runners will attest, that running is better when shared with others. As their website states, “Our club is more than just a place to train – it’s a place to make lifelong friends and create meaningful connections through group runs, volunteer events, local races, and a shared joy for running.” Membership is $25 or $40 for a household: uppervalleyrunningclub.org.

Get involved with your local running club for a happy spring and year-round enjoyment! 

Corey Burdick (burdickcorey@gmail.com) is a Vermont-based runner and writer. She ran her first 5K in 1998 and came in dead last, but that did not deter her from pursuing the sport further. Since that time, she’s raced distances from the mile to the marathon. Her work has appeared in the Burlington Free Press, and in many magazines: Here in Hanover, Woodstock, Bluedot Living, Best of Burlington, and Edible Vermont.