Queensland has 87 active run clubs across 58 locations. Brisbane alone accounts for 52 of them, spread across 65-plus suburbs. Yet most guides cover the same seven inner-city groups, ignoring the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and everything north of the Bruce Highway.
This is the full map. Every region, every vibe, from pram-friendly Sunday morning groups in Newstead to pre-dawn beachfront sessions at Currumbin, non-profit trail communities in Cairns, and structured training squads in Tallebudgera.
Why Queensland's Run Club Scene Keeps Growing
Running club participation in Australia grew 59% in 2024, and Queensland's subtropical climate means clubs here run year-round without a winter shutdown. Brisbane's sunshine makes it one of the few Australian cities where 5am starts feel reasonable in every month.
The motivation has shifted too. 72% of Gen Z runners who joined a club said their primary reason was meeting people, not chasing a PB. That social-first energy shapes most of the clubs listed here.
Brisbane City and Inner Suburbs
Kangaroo Point hosts six clubs, making it the single most popular meetup location in the state. Newstead, South Bank, and Howard Smith Wharves round out the inner-city hubs.
Thursday is the most popular run day and 6am the most common start time across Brisbane clubs.
Soso's Run Club
Where: Waterfront Park, Newstead (Saturdays); Fishbowl, Fish Lane, South Brisbane (Wednesdays). When: Saturdays 6am, Wednesdays 6pm. Distance: 5km. Cost: Free
Soso's runs friendly 5km loops suitable for every fitness level, from runners who smash 5km in under 20 minutes to walkers who soak in the vibes. Two sessions per week across two locations means it fits most schedules.
Club KT
Led by Katie Dall, a personal trainer and running coach based at Teneriffe Athletic Club, Club KT runs five sessions across Brisbane each week. Every session finishes with coffee at Woolshed or a meal deal post-run.
Monday: Fishbowl Run Club (powered by lululemon). 5km walk or run. 6pm for 6:15pm start. Fishbowl Gasworks. $12 bowls or $10 boxes post-run.
Tuesday: Teneriffe Athletic Club (TAC) Run Club. Speed and technique session, 60 minutes. 5am start. TAC carpark, 76 Commercial Road, Teneriffe. Free for TAC and Club KT members, $20 casual pass otherwise.
Wednesday AM: TAC Run Club. Mid-week endurance run. 5am start (60 min) or 4:30am optional start (90 min). TAC carpark, Teneriffe.
Wednesday PM: Felons Run Club. 5km walk or run. 5:45pm for 6pm start. Rivershed Lawn, Howard Smith Wharves. Complimentary beer or kombucha in the beer garden after. (See the Felons entry above for more detail.)
Friday: Club KT x Shokz Walk Run Club. 45-minute walk or run. 5:15am for 5:30am start. Waterfront Park, Newstead. Coffee at Woolshed afterwards.
Felons Run Club
Where: Felons Barrel Hall, Howard Smith Wharves. When: Wednesdays, 5:45pm. Distance: 5km. Cost: Free
A social jog along the Brisbane River that welcomes all fitness levels, from seasoned sprinters to runners who are just starting out. Finishes at the brewery, which explains the crowd size.
Brisbane Social Run Club
Where: Outside The Ship Inn, South Bank. When: Thursdays, 6pm (meet), 6:15pm (start). Distance: 5km run/jog/walk. Cost: Free
Running since 2017, BSRC is one of Brisbane's longest-standing social run clubs. The Thursday 6pm slot catches the after-work crowd, and the all-welcome format (run, jog, or walk) keeps the barrier to entry low. The Ship Inn is the post-run gathering point.
Fearlss Walk and Run Club
Where: South Bank Ferris Wheel. When: Saturdays, 6am. Distance: 1km to 5km. Cost: Free
Fearlss runs between 1km and 5km through the South Bank parklands, finishing at Nodo Donuts for breakfast. They award a weekly prize for the most improved, so there is a light competitive edge underneath the welcoming format. The 1km minimum means this works for people who are still building up to a full 5km.
Brisbane Clubs by Goal
Beginners and Social Runners
Got The Runs (GTR) is Brisbane's nomadic run club, meeting Sundays at 6:30am at a different location each week. Runs range from 5km to 10km and cater to everyone from beginners to those preparing for their first half marathon.
South Bank Runners (SBR) welcomes people of all abilities, from those running their first parkrun to experienced ultra-marathoners. They train every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, with Tuesday sessions focused on intervals. Two structured nights per week with consistent coaching.
Structured Training
Fitaz Run Club at Kangaroo Point meets every Thursday at 5:20am for 5km to 7km routes managed by expert coaches. The early start time keeps the humidity manageable.
InTraining Run Club in Indooroopilly is described as Brisbane's largest running club, catering for all ages and abilities with structured programs for 5km through marathon.
Brisbane Road Runners Club (BRRC) has been part of Brisbane's running community since 1982. They host events every second Sunday at 6am on a flat, accurately measured 5km course along the Brisbane River in West End. Membership required.
Women and Mothers
Brisbane Girls Run Club is a free social run club exclusively for women, meeting Wednesdays at 6am and Fridays at 6pm around the inner suburbs.
Mum Run, founded by personal trainer Tilli Conias, meets every Sunday at 6:30am at Waterfront Park in Newstead. Pram-friendly and designed around the reality of running with young children.
Community and Identity
Chasing Chai Run Club at Kangaroo Point is an inclusive run club specifically for people of South Asian and Southeast Asian backgrounds. It meets weekly at Kangaroo Point, one of Brisbane's six-club hubs.
Brisbane Frontrunners is a diverse LGBTIQ+ running group based at Kangaroo Point that meets weekly. Part of the international Frontrunners network.
Trail Running
Mountain Goat Trail Runners (MGTR) is a trail running community based at Mount Coot-tha. Mount Coot-tha's fire trails and single track sit 7km from the CBD, making MGTR the most accessible off-road option in Brisbane. For gear suited to variable light under canopy, see our guide to the best sunglasses for trail running in Australia.
Gold Coast Run Clubs
The Gold Coast scene runs earlier (5am starts are standard) and leans into ocean-adjacent routes. Glare off wet sand and water is a constant, which is worth factoring into your sunglasses choice.
Good Times Running Club
Where: Tallebudgera Creek Park. When: Tuesdays 5am (speed), Thursdays 5am (hills), Saturdays 5am (long run). Cost: $40/year membership
The most structured option on the Gold Coast. Good Times offers training programs for 5km, 10km, half marathon, and marathon. Four dedicated squads ranging from primary school students to elite-level runners, with coaching on technique, drills, and form. All newcomers receive four free runs when they sign up.
Gold Coast Run Co
Where: Various Gold Coast locations. When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings, plus most Saturdays. Est: 2017
Four squads, coached sessions, and a focus on technique. Welcoming to new runners and experienced athletes alike.
445 Run Club
Where: The Salt Mill, Currumbin. When: Fridays, 4:45am meet / 5am start. Duration: 40 minutes at your own pace. Cost: Free
Walk, run, or jog for 40 minutes, then finish with an ocean swim and coffee. The 4:45am name is literally the start time. Currumbin beach at first light is the draw. If you are training for the Gold Coast Marathon, this is a solid supporting session.
The Salt Social
Where: The Salt Mill, Currumbin. When: Tuesdays 5:15am (social), Thursdays 5:10am (speed). Cost: Free
The Salt Social welcomes runners of all abilities, with no pace minimums and open sign-up. Thursday speed sessions add structure for those who want it.
Hedges Run Club
Where: Rafiki Cafe, Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach. When: Wednesdays, 5am. Distance: 5km. Cost: Free
A close-knit crew focused on mental and physical health. Run 5km, dip in the ocean, grab a post-run coffee at Rafiki. Small group, consistent schedule.
Daf Run Club
Where: Kurrawa Surf Club, Broadbeach. When: Wednesdays, 6am. Distance: 3km to 5km. Cost: Free
Relaxed and inclusive, with runners of all abilities welcome. Finish line leads to Elk Espresso.
Sunshine Coast Run Clubs
The Sunshine Coast scene is smaller but growing. Three clubs to start with:
Sunny Coast Darkrunners are mainly Caloundra-based, with a Wednesday night group run from Cotton Tree to Mooloolaba, a Wednesday night run from Happy Valley to Golden Beach and back, and Tuesday morning speed sessions at various locations. The name tells you about the start times.
Get Up Run Club in Mooloolaba is free and welcoming to all paces, leaving from Mooloolaba Surf Club on Fridays. Good coastal route, no speed requirement.
Headnoise Run Club is a social run club open to anyone from all backgrounds. Another Sunshine Coast option if the Darkrunners schedule does not fit yours.
Townsville, Cairns and Regional Queensland
CraftRun in Townsville is a growing community combining running with socialising in North Queensland. If you are based in Townsville and assumed you would need to train solo, worth checking out.
Cairns Road Runners is a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering health through running in Far North Queensland, with regular group runs and a welcoming approach to all abilities.
For runners in regional QLD, searching online for local running groups in your area is the best starting point for finding a local crew.
How to Pick the Right Club
Match your pace, not your ambition. Showing up to a speed-focused club when you want a social jog (or vice versa) leads to one session and a dropped membership. Be honest about what you want from running right now.
Check the schedule against your life. A club that meets at 5am on Thursdays is useless if you work night shift. Brisbane's 52 clubs between them cover most days, most hours, and most suburbs.
Consider what happens after. Felons finishes at a brewery. 445 finishes in the ocean. Fearlss finishes at Nodo Donuts. Mum Run finishes with prams in a park. The post-run ritual matters as much as the run itself.
Look for your community. Clubs like Chasing Chai (South Asian and Southeast Asian runners), Brisbane Frontrunners (LGBTIQ+), Brisbane Girls Run Club (women), and Mum Run (parents) exist because generic is not always enough. There is likely a club in Brisbane built around a community you belong to.
Gear for Queensland conditions. Year-round sun and humidity mean UV protection is not seasonal. Early-morning clubs run through sunrise transitions where light shifts fast. See the full Australian run clubs guide for state-by-state coverage.
Brisbane and Queensland Run Club Comparison
| Club | Location | Day/Time | Distance | Cost | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soso's Run Club | Newstead / South Brisbane | Sat 6am, Wed 6pm | 5km | Free | Social, all levels |
| Club KT | Teneriffe / Newstead / Wharves | Mon 6pm, Tue 5am, Wed 5am+5:45pm, Fri 5:15am | 5km to 90 min | Free to $20 casual | Coached, social |
| Felons Run Club | Howard Smith Wharves | Wed 5:45pm | 5km | Free | Social, post-run pints |
| Brisbane Social Run Club | South Bank | Thu 6pm | 5km | Free | Social, est. 2017 |
| Fearlss | South Bank | Sat 6am | 1 to 5km | Free | Beginner-friendly |
| Fitaz Run Club | Kangaroo Point | Thu 5:20am | 5 to 7km | Free | Coached, structured |
| South Bank Runners | South Bank | Tue and Thu 6pm | Varies | Check site | Intervals + social |
| BRRC | West End | Every 2nd Sun 6am | 5km | Membership | Timed races since 1982 |
| InTraining | Indooroopilly | Check site | Varies | Check site | Largest club, all ages |
| Good Times RC | Tallebudgera Creek | Tue/Thu/Sat 5am | Varies | $40/year | Structured training |
| Gold Coast Run Co | Gold Coast (various) | Tue/Wed/Thu/Sat | Varies | Check site | Four squads, coached |
| 445 Run Club | Currumbin | Fri 4:45am | 40 min | Free | Pre-dawn, ocean swim |
| The Salt Social | Currumbin | Tue 5:15am, Thu 5:10am | Varies | Free | All abilities, beachfront |
FAQ
Where is the best place to run in Brisbane?
The most popular running routes in Brisbane are along the Brisbane River, through South Bank, up Mount Coot-tha's fire trails, and around New Farm Park. Kangaroo Point is the single busiest hub, with six run clubs meeting there. The Brisbane River loop from New Farm to South Bank covers flat, well-lit paths with water views on both sides.
What is the longest-running run club in Brisbane?
Brisbane Road Runners Club (BRRC) has been hosting timed events since 1982 and is one of the oldest running organisations in the state. Brisbane Social Run Club has been running its Thursday 6pm session from The Ship Inn in South Bank every week since 2017, making it one of the most consistent weekly meetups in the city.
Are run clubs just dating?
Some people join run clubs to meet a partner. The 72% of Gen Z runners who cited meeting people as their primary reason for joining were not all talking about romance, but the social-first format does create the conditions. Most Brisbane clubs lean heavily into post-run coffee, breakfast, and weekend socialising.
Check Re Your Run's full guide to Australian run clubs for clubs in every state, or browse our running sunglasses range built for Australian conditions.
Tim Golubev
Founder, Re. (Re Your Run)
Tim built Re. after years of running in sunglasses that bounced, fogged, and ended up on his forehead. After discovering the UV damage that builds up without eye protection (even on cloudy days) and hearing the same frustrations from hundreds of other runners, he decided it was a problem worth fixing properly. With a background in Product across multiple industries, he approached it like any product problem: figure out what's broken, then build something that actually fixes it. He runs daily, co-founded Rose Bay Run Club, and Re. is his attempt to make one less thing that gets in the way of a good run.
