Boost your motivation with a casual or competitive running club in Queens

Image source: Rob Boudon on Flickr

There’s something about the crisp fall air that inspires many of us to head outside to get in shape. Fall can be an excellent running season, thanks to cooler weather. Whether you want to push your distance or speed, or just find the motivation to hit the road in the first place, there are plenty of running clubs in Queens that provide companionship for everything from casual jogs to marathon training sessions. Here’s a list of six running clubs that meet all over the borough.

The Hellgate Road Runners meet in Astoria Park (GMAP) for five group runs a week. The scheduled workouts range from speed work on the park’s track, to hill running in the park, to long distance runs on the streets (10K and longer). Runners of all levels are welcome, and many members participate and support each other in road races throughout the city. Membership costs $25.

The Woodside-Sunnyside Runners meet at the mini (0.1-mile) track at Windmuller Park in Woodside (GMAP) for casual 5K runs in the neighborhood, as well as Saturday morning bootcamp workouts. They also meet up once a week in Elmhurst for a 3.5-mile evening run. Runners of any level are encouraged to join them.

The Queens NYC Runners are a sister group of the Woodside-Sunnyside Runners. They meet in various spots – Bayside, Juniper Valley Park, Forest Park, Elmhurst, Woodside, etc. – for everything from casual runs to training sessions by certified coaches to road races.

The Forest Park Runners Club has been around since 1980 and hosts its own races in Forest Park (GMAP), including a 4-mile road and trail race, a 5K road race and children’s field day, and a series of Summer Night Fun Runs. They also host weekly speed and hill workouts, and send runners to many events around the city, including the marathon. A year-long membership for new members costs $20.

Based in Jamaica, the Renegade Runners are led by certified coaches. The group meets four times a week at Roy Wilkins Park (GMAP) for running and walking workouts for all levels, and sends runners to races around NYC and Long Island, including the marathon. Annual membership is $20.

The Alley Pond Striders have been around for more than 30 years to provide a running, jogging and walking community for eastern Queens and Nassau county. The club meets on weekend mornings at the Alley Pond Park Field House (GMAP). The group also organizes an annual 5-mile race, and supports its runners in other events in the NYC area. Membership costs $20.