New Orleans boasts a variety of running clubs and teams in the area that offer almost anything from an early morning sunrise run or an after work run accompanied by happy hour. With each club has its niche and anyone ranging from a highly competitive, ranked runner to the casual jogger there is a place for everyone to benefit from the coaching and camaraderie.
The November Project meets every Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. at Champions Square. A free, grass roots, fitness movement born in Boston using a simple sense of verbal accountability to motivate and encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels to kick start their healthy life choices.
Varsity Sports New Orleans Running Group has three locations in Baton Rouge, Mandeville and New Orleans. The New Orleans chapter has four weekly meetings. On Tuesday, a gritting track workout at St. Martin's School at 6:30 p.m. that ends with post workout beer. On Wednesday, VSNO joins with Happy's Irish Pub at 6:15 p.m. to offer a social, fun run through the French Quarter, the CBD or the Riverfront. Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. VSNO gets a few miles in and rewards themselves with the incredible beer selection and tasty food at Ale on Oak. Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. VSNO meets at NOMA offering a variety of distances from 3 miles to 10 miles.
Since 1988 New Orleans Hash House Harriers (NOH3) keeps running fun offering hash socials every Friday and at least one running or trail run with exciting and interesting themes and locations. NOH3 also offers exciting events year round including the largest Red Dress run in the world in August.
Whatever your pace, Pacers Fitness will offers runners a fun environment to attain and maintain fitness. The group meets bi-weekly on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. at the West Bank Bridge Levee Ramp. A noncompetitive group focused on meeting new people interested in exercising, allowing members to put in as much or as little mileage as desired.
Louisiana Running Company meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the LRC store on 4153 Canal Street in Mid-City. Leaving at 6:30 p.m. with anywhere from 45-90 runners with paces from a 7:00 minute to a 12:00 minute mile. They have 3, 5, 7, and 10 mile run options for members depending on ability and interest.
Debudded the Home of The Average Athlete; Guido Sportif meets Tuesday evenings at the Riverdale High School Track and various other events throughout the year.
The New Orleans Track Company is a membership organization that produces and promotes running events both as a competitive sport and as one of the best athletic activities for overall fitness. It is a member club of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and USA Track & Field (USATF). Membership dues not only go toward year-round running events, discounted entry fees, discounts at area running clubs but also to philanthropic running groups like Youth Run NOLA and Girls on the Run.
Philanthropy and running have a strong connection, with almost every running event benefiting a charitable organization and many groups in New Orleans work to bring running and the community together.
Youth Run NOLA is a non-profit organization seeking to empower underserved youth through running, with an eight-month guided training program of twice-weekly practices and monthly events that are overseen by teacher/coaches and volunteer buddies.
Girls on the Run is a national organization with a New Orleans chapter working to inspire and empower young girls in 3rd to 8th grade to take charge of their lives and define their future on their own terms. GOTR meets twice a week in small groups teaching life skills and engaging lessons through the joy of movement.
Team in Training partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an endurance sports training program and fundraising program. TNT provides a supportive team and coaching to help reach personal fitness goals and make a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.
