Lace up and make tracks at Gold Coast’s best run clubs
With around 300 days of sunshine a year, our sunny state is practically begging us to get outside, so it’s no wonder run clubs are so popular here. To mark the official arrival of longer days, we’ve tightened our laces and tracked down some of the best run clubs on the Gold Coast.
The Salt Social Run Club, Currumbin
Jye Dean and Lani Moorhouse founded the Salt Social Run Club three years ago with a simple goal – to create a space where friends could catch up and enjoy a jog together. Since then, the club has grown from just a few friends to more than a hundred like-minded individuals coming together on a Tuesday morning at 5:15 am every week. Salt Social’s mission has always extended beyond running – it’s about fostering a positive community. The group offers a safe and inclusive environment, where you and your running buddies decide how fast or far you wish to run. By prioritising connection over competition, Salt Social has grown into a welcoming space where everyone, from casual joggers to seasoned runners, can come together. Lani said, “Each week we are blessed with the privilege to be able to sit back and watch a polite conversation transform into an epic friendship. To facilitate this type of connection has become our passion and it just brings us so much joy.”
Hedges Run Club, Mermaid Beach
Hedges Run Club also began with a small group of friends who met at 5:00 am on a Wednesday to run, swim and enjoy coffee at Rafiki in Mermaid Beach. With a focus on connection, mental and physical health, the club has grown into a tight-knit community supporting one another. Members share more than just running – Hedges Run Club invites people to join a group to strengthen both their fitness and friendships. While running brings members together, the strong bonds they form keep them connected.
Gold Coast Run Co, various locations
Founded in 2017, Gold Coast Run Co is a vibrant running community offering support for runners of all ages and abilities. Its mission is to promote healthier, happier lives through running. The group features four squads – Whippets for primary school kids, a Junior Squad for 12-18-year-olds, a recreational group in both Main Beach and Burleigh, as well as a high performance squad for elite runners. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, Gold Coast Run Co provides a supportive environment for runners to train, improve and achieve their goals.
The Megarun, Tallebudgera Creek Park
The Megarun is a global running movement designed to help individuals unlock their potential by pushing themselves beyond perceived limits. Every Sunday at 6:30 am, participants meet at Tallebudgera Creek Park, Burleigh Heads, to run up to 10-km, regardless of fitness level. The goal is not just to run, but to break through mental barriers, building confidence through discipline and effort. The Megarun encourages everyone, whether seasoned athletes or first-timers, to experience the “mega-feeling” – a sense of accomplishment and self-belief. It’s more than just a run – it’s a challenge to inspire others and realise your potential.
UNFIT RUNNING, various locations
This Brisbane-born run club is guided by three founding pillars – beer, coffee and running. First hitting the pavement in 2020, Unfit Run Club has grown into a multi-city venture with clubs in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Sydney. Unfit Running holds three runs a week on the Gold Coast, each at differing lengths and all centred around that oh-so-sweet post-run reward. On weekdays, Unfit Running hosts Mindful Monday Run and a Thursday Beer Run, and on Saturdays, it hosts its Coffee Run. Keep an eye on socials for where they meet each week.
445 Run Club, Currumbin
445 Run Club is a dedicated running community that meets every Friday at 4:45 am, no matter the weather. Starting at 5:00 am, members run, walk, or jog for 20 minutes one way, then 20 minutes back – 40 minutes dedicated to self-improvement. The club emphasises showing up and moving, regardless of pace or ability. Afterward, participants enjoy coffee, ocean swims, gratitude reflections and genuine conversations. It’s a safe space to be yourself, connect with like-minded people and push personal boundaries. 445 Run Club encourages members to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges, fostering both physical and mental growth.
These are just a few of Gold Coast’s best run clubs. Fortunately for our running enthusiasts, Gold Coast’s list of run clubs is only growing. Honourable mentions go out to Parkrun, Good Times Running Club and Good Good Running. With a run club meeting every day of the week, you’re sure to find a one that suits you.
Images credits: David Pearce for Gold Coast Run Co, Cody Wiemers for The Salt Social, 445 Run Club and Unfit Running Facebook.