Best Running Clubs In Orange County

Do you love to run? Do you need to get fit? Do you need camaraderie while staying fit? If so, a running club would be a good option to look into. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advancer runner, there is a club for you. Even if you think you might be too young or too old, there is a running club just for you. And if you want a run with a reward, like a pint of beer, with your peers, this list has you covered.

A Snail's Pace Running Club has a chapter in Mission Viejo and is co-sponsored by New Balance and A Snail's Pace Running Shop. They cater to runners of all levels of ability. There are weekly fun runs, monthly club races, summer pub runs, trail runs, and social parties throughout the year. This 400+ member club knows how to have fun and provides even pacers for local marathons too.

Cal Coast Track Club is both challenging and rewarding. Under the guidance of legendary distance coach, Bill Sumner, runners of varying motivations and ability discover the joy of running. Mr. Sumner founded the track club in 1982 and has been named ESPN's "National Coach of the Year", training more than 28 Olympic trial qualifiers. The club has grown from a handful to more than several hundred. There is also a youth program headed by Ford Fuji. Over the past five years, Cal Coast has become quite proud of their Magic Shoe Foundation that has been able to distribute 60,000 pairs of shoes to support high school running programs, elementary schools, homeless shelters, Boys & Girls Clubs, working wardrobes, soup kitchens, and churches.

The Southern California Striders was founded by five elite athletes: Olympic multiple Gold Medalists Mal Whitfield, and George Rhoden, Silver Medalist Meredith C. "Flash" Gourdine, NCAA Champions Lang Stanley and George Brown. The club was formed in the fall of 1955 and just celebrated their 60^th anniversary last year. The club continues today, primarily in Masters track and field, and currently has a multitude of Masters National and World champions as well as several masters' athletes that hold current world records. Membership is open to all ages and abilities and provides opportunities for competition, fitness, and health.

OC Craft Runners meets every Monday night at a different craft beer bar and runs 3-4 miles. The reward is socializing with your running mates and enjoying a pint of beer. The club was started on Instagram by founding member Sean Berringer by writing a post inviting people to meet up for a run and beers at Provisions Market. The club has no membership fees or dues. Just bring your beer money and come ready to run. OC Craft Runners also partners with Hart Park Run Club, where the clubs meet up and go out on runs on Saturday mornings. They also participate in various races throughout Southern California.

Wildcats Founder and Head Coach, Darren Phelps' teams have brought home national titles, medals, and trophies each year since it started back in 2004. Practice and training is offered five days per week at local parks in Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, occasional runs at Salt Creek Beach, and an optional house of team Crossfit training at Mission Viejo Cross Fit once per week. Members can attend per their schedule and goals for the season. The team welcomes girls and boys of all talent levels from age seven to seventeen. The South Orange County Wildcats Track Club is a registered member of the Southern California Association of USATF (USA Track and Field). Registration is open for Cross Country which begins in August.

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