These Running Clubs Offer Fitness and Fun in Westchester

Avid runners and beginners alike can find community with these clubs.

Looking to hit the pavement and find your stride? 

Westchester is home to a vibrant array of running clubs that cater to every level of runner.  Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, these clubs offer a perfect blend of fitness, camaraderie, and motivation. 

It’s a perfect way to find community in a sport that you have either loved for a long time or are just trying out. What starts as a run usually ends with a hangout over cold drinks, laughs, and sore muscles. 

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Here is a roundup of some of Westchester’s top running clubs, with information about club sizes, when they meet, costs (if applicable), and any other need-to-know details.

P.S. Did we miss a club? Email us here so we can add it!

Bad Ass Running Krew

Meets: Sunday 8 a.m. and Wednesday 7 p.m.
Cost: Free

Running with the Bad Ass Run Krew means no one gets left behind. The running club runs on both pavement and on local trails. All paces are welcomed. They often have themed runs like the Popsicle Dash where at the end of the run you’re rewarded with a popsicle.

 

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Briarcliff Manor Running Club

Meets: 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings at various locations. Exploring additional weekday meetips for fun runs, sprints, and strength/conditioning.
Cost:
Free

From the paved runner-friendly roads to the North County trail and the trails of Rockefeller Nature Preserve, Briarcliff Manor is a runner’s paradise. The club welcomes runners of all abilities and backgrounds and was created to bring together like mined outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy running and being active members of the community. If you’re interested check out their Google Group here.

 

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Croton Running Company Club

Meets: The Green Crowler, 4 Croton Point, Croton-on-Hudson, Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free

“Do what you love, move everyday,” says Ellen Brecher of the Croton Running Company Club. 

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That’s her motto. Brecher encourages people to join anytime, saying all are welcome. The group meets at the same time and location on Thursdays, but there are other opportunities as well. That includes a joint venture with Run PB, which kicks off on Fridays at 5:30 a.m. from Matters Coffee (located at 50 Maple Street). On Saturdays, a ladies-only run sets off at 8 a.m. from alternate locations each week.

running club
Photo courtesy of Croton Running Club

Run PB

Meets: Depew Park Track, 1 Robin Drive, Peekskill, Tuesdays at 6 a.m.
Cost: $25/year for individuals, $25/year for families

A 501(c)3 running club, RUN PB is “dedicated to bringing the community together through running and walking,” says Francesca Battaglia, co-founder of Run PB. Its mission is to provide an encouraging space where people of all fitness levels can get healthy and have fun in the company of an inclusive team.

“We are an inclusive club that welcome everyone and supports each individual year-round through the highs and lows of life,” says Heather Bishop, co-founder of Run PB. 

Besides Tuesdays, the group meets on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at a location that alternates weekly and can be found on their Instagram @breweryrunning. Beer is at 7 p.m. 

 

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Rivertown Runners

Meets: Sleepy Hollow High School, 210 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, Saturdays and Sundays at 8 a.m.
Cost: $30/year

Rivertown Runners has 150 members from the local area, with visitors from Great Britain, Germany, and even Australia. The Saturday and Sunday route is six to seven miles, with everyone completing it at different paces. “No one runs alone,” says Todd Ruppel, founder and president of Rivertown Runners. 

Thursdays are another opportunity for a run with a large community aspect. A five- to six-mile run leaves from JP Doyle’s in Sleepy Hollow at 6 p.m. and ends with refreshments and conversation.

The club was first created in 2010 to host community races, with the first race being the Sleepy Hollow Halloween 10K, followed by the addition of the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon later on. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the group has donated more than $750,000 to local charities and organizations in the area. 

run club
Photo courtesy of Rivertown Runners

Sunday Runs

Meets: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at varying times and locations
Cost: Free

“While we’ve gotten the reputation of being hardcore with some members running races 100 miles or more, our goal is to offer all runners, regardless of experience or capability, a group where they can make friends, get exercise, have fun, and experience nature in one of the many local parks,” shares Lee Willett, director of Sunday Runs.

The organization has had regular runs for over 14 years, first starting as a training group for the Leatherman’s Loop trail race. It offers different paces, distances, and courses based on each runner’s capabilities. For example, the Rookie Runners program on Sundays at 7 .m. is designed for the novice who wants to give trail running a try. 

Folks in the group make occasional contributions, but there are no dues. “Run free,” says Willett.

running clubs
Photo courtesy of Sunday Runs and Lee Willett

The Westchester Track Club

Meets: At or near Rockefeller State Park, Sleepy Hollow, on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Some days at Sleepy Hollow High School
Cost:
Single membership is $35 per year and family membership is $50 per year

At The Westchester Track Club, Coach Mike Barnow will construct an individual workout plan from a 5k to Olympic trials for each runner. Coach Mike founded the club in 1974, when it was the only running club in the area at the time. He’s coached everyone from recreational runners, kid’s summer camps, to elite athletes. “Run smarter to run faster,” is Coach Mike’s motto.

The clubs age span ranges from a 10-year-old getting into sprints to a 70-year-young man who has completed over 80 marathons. The group is very supportive and trains together for all distances.

 

Related: The Best Running Trails and Parks in Westchester

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