Whether you’re lacing up your trainers for the first time or you’re a seasoned runner, joining a local running group is one of the best ways to boost your motivation, meet new friends, and discover the joy of running. In Bath, you’ll find a superb selection of running groups offering free group runs, providing motivation and encouragement as we enter winter. And, with so many groups on offer, there’s a perfect fit for everyone, no matter your pace or experience. Joanna Lewis speaks with some local groups about how they help runners find their stride, regardless of their ability, age, or stage in their running journey.
No Regrets Running
No Regrets Running was founded by running enthusiast Sue Mercer in 2020, offering a series of weekly run training sessions, coaching, and guided run tours, in addition to free fortnightly social runs every other Thursday at 6.30pm.
The social runs start at the Glasshouse Academy in Combe Down, with an 8-9km circular route that varies each week. With the evenings drawing in, the run club alternates between social runs on street-lit pavements and off-road runs with head torches.
“The off-road head torch runs are an amazing sensory experience and give a real feeling of achievement,” enthuses Sue. “As the winter off-road runs are every four weeks, I try to coincide them with the full moon (not always possible, of course!) and we have had some fabulous moonlit runs on occasion. The on-road runs are designed to give people the chance to have a run and a chat in a safe environment, without having to worry too much about the dark and terrain, though we still run up hilly roads – we have to as we’re based on top of the hill here in Combe Down.”
The social runs usually attract around 20 to 25 runners, and are pitched at those with some running experience. “Whilst we don’t run particularly fast, the pace and distance may not be suitable for complete beginner runners, and the terrain can be quite challenging at times,” Sue says. “I suggest that people who can run 5K in around 30 minutes or less will be fine. We do stop and regroup – catch our breath and admire the view – and there’s always a lead runner and a tail runner to keep everyone on track.”
Visit noregretsrunning.com
BathFitFam
BathFitFam is a running group designed for everyone: kids, students, parents, grandparents, complete beginners taking their first steps, and ultra-marathoners.
The group was established in 2019 by Andrew Watson and is designed to offer a space where no one is left behind and everyone feels supported. BathFitFam hosts two main weekly meet-ups, the Sunday Run Club and the Monday 6am Club.
The Sunday Run Club takes place at 9am at Victoria Park. The run starts with a group warm-up, with participants free to run as many 1.25km loops around the park as they like, or tackling a dedicated 5km route through the city. “It’s family friendly, and you’ll often see kids, parents, grandparents, and even dogs running together,” explains Andy.
The Monday 6am Club meets each week at a different café or bakery in Bath at 6am on Mondays, with participants setting off on a 3, 5, or 7km route at 6:15am, before heading back for coffee and pastries.
In addition, BathFitFam organises regular one-off community events, charity workouts, bank holiday specials, and track sessions.
For those starting their running journey, Andy says his biggest tip is to just show up. “Even if you only manage a short jog or walk, it’s the act of being there and moving that matters,” he says. “Surround yourself with supportive people and you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”
He adds: “Running isn’t only just about exercise, it’s about connection. We’ve seen people make lifelong friends, boost their mental health, and build confidence simply by being part of the group.”
Visit bathfitfam.co.uk
Night Runners Group
The Night Runners Group (NRG) is a new running group that, as the name suggests, focuses on night runs, starting at 7pm, followed by a little social post-run. The group was established by those involved with BathFitFam after they organised a couple of fun themed runs for Blue Monday and Halloween.
“We saw how much people loved the energy, so we decided to make it a regular thing,” BathFitFam founder and NRG co-founder Andy says. “Together we’re building a monthly series of special runs across Bath, all about energy, connection, and good vibes.”
NRG is designed primarily for adults who want to run, connect, and experience the city in a fresh way, with an easy 5k pace. Unlike most run clubs, where everyone goes at their own pace, NRG moves as one, a steady speed, stopping at iconic Bath landmarks with music pumping and the whole crew together. “It feels more like a moving street party than a training run,” says Andy.
The NRG organises monthly runs, always on the last Friday. “Because it’s monthly, every event feels extra special, a chance for runners from all clubs (or none at all!) to come together and light up the city.”
He adds; Running doesn’t always have to be about times and distances, sometimes it’s about switching off, vibing with music, and realising you’re running almost without thinking about it. That’s the NRG feeling: buzzing into the weekend.”
Follow the Night Runners Group on Instagram or visit Eventbrite for details of the next event. All runs are free.
Follow the.n.r.g on Instagram
GoodGym
For those looking to run with purpose, GoodGym offers the perfect platform. The club encapsulates a dual mission, promoting physical wellbeing while contributing meaningfully to the local community by engaging in volunteer tasks that are inherently active, such as gardening, lifting, or delivering essentials, offering a unique way to stay fit while giving back. Each mission can be approached on foot, either by running/walking/cycling from home or joining others at a designated meeting point, combining exercise with social impact.
“We’ve knocked down sheds, painted fences at primary schools, and wheelbarrowed tonnes of sand to a children’s play area,” says Meyrick Williams of GoodGym. He adds: “GoodGym is a fantastic way to meet new people, build friendships, and become part of a genuinely welcoming and inclusive organisation. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to the community in such an active and supportive way.”
GoodGym only works with registered charities and has been the background player in some local community-led projects, for example, helping build the Grow For Life walled gardens in Newton St Loe.
There are nearly 26,000 GoodGymers in 65 areas across the UK, with the organisation helping over 64,000 individuals. Anybody can join GoodGym for free, and individuals can attend as often or as little as they like. The club also runs regular social events to foster a vibrant community.
Ready to combine fitness with social impact?
Visit goodgym.org
parkrun
parkrun has become a global phenomenon, with the free weekly runs now taking place worldwide. The event started in the UK in 2004, based on the simple, basic principles: weekly, free, for everyone, forever. Bath now offers a choice of two 5k parkruns, both every Saturday at 9am, and a weekly 2k junior parkrun for children aged four to 14 years, held on Sunday at 9am. All runners need to do is register on the parkrun website and turn up just before 9am to hear the official run briefing.
Bath Skyline
Bath’s longest-running 5k park run takes place every Saturday at 9am on the stunning National Trust Bath Skyline route, with everyone encouraged to give it a go.
The event takes place at Claverton Down in the top field by Quarry Rock gardens, with the run taking place on a mixture of gravel, stone paths, compacted earth paths, and grass.
Inclusivity is a key aspect of parkun, with a tail walker acting as the last person on the course, ensuring no one is left behind. The course is also fully marked and marshalled.
Helen Conner, Bath Skyline parkrun event director, says she has seen the impact the weekly run has made on those in the local community first-hand.
“We hear how parkrun can be the first step into getting into running and how many of our participants have gone onto their first races, how it’s helped people to give up smoking with the aim to improve their speed at parkrun and general health, and how it’s helped those feeling isolated who have joined us as volunteers, where they’ve met friends and have a regular weekly activity where they feel a sense of belonging.”
Brickfields Park
The latest newcomer to Bath’s parkrun community is the Brickfields Park parkrun, which held its inaugural event in May this year. The run typically attracts up to 300 participants each week and is staffed by a team of up to 30 volunteers performing a range of roles such as time-keeping, marshalling, and pacing.
Brickfields Park (the start and end point) is a wonderful open space with some great views of the surrounding hills. After two laps of the park, runners exit onto Linear Park, which is part of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway Line. They then head up to Bloomfield Open Space, which involves a steady uphill climb. At Bloomfield Open Space (just before the Devonshire Tunnel), runners turn around and have a great run downhill on the way back to Brickfields Park.
Odd Down junior parkrun
Bath’s junior parkrun takes place at the Odd Down Cycle Track, with parents welcome to participate and support the junior runners, fostering an active lifestyle in a fun environment. The event is delivered entirely by volunteers, who are stationed around the route, and is designed to offer a fun experience. As children complete more runs, they can achieve wristbands as a reward for running the equivalent of a half marathon, marathon, ultra-marathon, and beyond.
Young participants at the weekly Junior parkrun, Odd Down.
Credit: Odd Down Junior parkrun
“The event is an excellent opportunity to participate in sport, for some this will involve enjoying the chance to run as fast as they can and have their time recorded,” says Tom Flemons, co-event director. “For others, the families meet, and the participants make their way round the course chatting and enjoying the encouraging ‘high fives’ from the volunteers spread around the circuit.”
Visit parkrun.org.uk
Run this way –
8.3k circular route
Sue from No Regrets Running shares one of her favourite running routes, an 8.3km (5.1mile), hilly, mostly-off road circular route starting from Glasshouse Academy in Combe Down.
The run takes you along Shepherds Walk, down through Beechwoods to Tucking Mill, then along the Limestone Link next to the Cam Brook to Combe Hay and up through Engine Wood to Southstoke via the Millennium Viewpoint and across the fields back to Glasshouse.
Visit plotaroute.com and search ‘Favourite Route From Combe Down’ to view the mapped route.
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