It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
Houston Run Clubs
New to Houston and looking for some activities that will help you explore the Houston area or make new friends? Or do you simply want to connect with fellow Houstonians while staying active? If the answer to these questions is a resounding yes, join these 10 running groups in Houston, Texas!
ZFT Run Club
The Zone Fitness Training is open to all levels and free for members! Zone Fitness Training is committed to improving the lives of their members by combining physical and social activities. Founded on Juneteenth in 2017, the ZFT running club commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people and celebrates African American Culture! This diversifying club is determined to uplift the Houston community through running and fitness and be a beacon of happy, healthy, and more fulfilled life for the Black community. They also have a sister club in Dallas with an “Inspire, Instruct, and Improve” slogan, and both clubs believe that running can and should be enjoyed by all.
BON Running Club
Open for all levels and free to join, BON Running Club holds weekly runs of 5km and ends their runs at their favorite bars for socializing and winding down. Members shared that their favorite feature of the BON Running Club is how relaxed, fun, and focused on fitness it is! BON Running Club raises awareness and money for organizations like Undies for Everyone, Girls on the Run Greater Houston, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and more!
West End Running Club
Very similar to the Bon Running Club, the West End Running Club is open to all levels and free to join, meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Like the BON Running Club, West End hosts weekly runs that begin and end at their favorite bars. The West End Running Club allows members to determine their run pace and offers a 2-6 mile course. Both BON and West End Running Club require little commitment but have a meaning and positive impact on the community and the lives of its members. West End Running Club also supports Achilles International Organization.
Njord Running
Njord Running Club is a fantastic option for those who want to have an impact on their community and the planet! Free to members and open to all levels, Njord Running Club was founded by competitive runners who felt a calling to empower and encourage a community. They host two runs a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and have encouraging comments from their members saying that this running club is open to all but especially those who are “passionate runners and seek a more invigorating experience.”
Runner’s High Club
Runners High Club is open to beginners and advanced runners! While they do have a membership fee of $75 for half marathon training and $95 for marathon training, too many, it is well worth it because of the detailed training plans and paced group runs that help their members achieve their running goals! They meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and encourage those whose primary goal is improving their running abilities! This running club is great for beginners or people who are low in motivation and looking for a slow introduction into running and one day want to reach a specific goal. However, this running club will have you running six days a week! Three days by yourself and three with a group that runs the same pace as you. This club is about inspiring, uplifting, and helping its members stay on track to help you meet your goals!
Bayou City Road Runners
This club is for beginners and has a membership fee of $30 per year. They meet at Rice University on Wednesdays and Memorial Park on Sundays and are a great social club! You don’t have to be an avid runner to join, and you don’t even have to run if you don’t feel like it! They encourage the idea of running. They also believe that a good run needs an even better feast at the end, going for pretzels after running on Wednesdays and a post-run breakfast on Sundays. They even have award banquets and Christmas Parties! Even though this club is popular for beginners, those at a more advanced level and want to feel part of a community are more than welcome to join!
Houston Harriers
This run club has been thriving since 1975 and is for all levels ranging from intermediate to advanced. They have a $25 annual membership fee and meet twice a week on Mondays and Saturdays. This run club is known for their excellent coaching and is dedicated to athletic development through healthy competition. Their main goal is to bring attention to competitive running in Houston and focus on training and the development of athletes. This club is praised for their dedication to running but also for allowing its members to choose their “own adventures” by letting them choose their pace, the routes they take, and for how long.
In Flight Running
This run club is open for all abilities and levels! The In Flight Running Club allows its members to learn about the sport of running “from the ground up” and help discover their personal best! They offer professional coaching, support and have running groups! Even if you aren’t training for a race, the In-Flight Run club welcomes those who want to improve their running, start a running maintenance schedule, get in shape, lose weight, or meet new running friends! Although they are open to all running paces, they encourage those who can run a continuous 3 miles before joining. As a member of In Flight Running club, you are provided with an online training schedule, easily accessible training and race schedule from your smartphone, daily emails that update you on your running schedule, and more! They have three season passes ranging in price from $165-$525.
Houston Area Road Runners Association
This association is a volunteer, nonprofit organization of runners who are dedicated to providing support and advocating for the running community in Southeast Texas. Founded in 1993, this association promotes running “as a competitive sport and a healthful exercise in the greater Houston area.” This association offers a voice on problems that affect runners in the Houston area, and they also have club activities and competitions that are beneficial to club members and the Houston running society. Membership is open to all, regardless of age or running level, and the membership pricing can range from $17 to $32. They even have a membership for students!
Heights Running Club
Heights Running Club is a great network for runners and walkers. They aim to help motivate members to reach their goals while maintaining a fun environment. Formed in January 2012, this club’s purpose is to “unite the large community of runners and walkers in Houston Heights.” They are open to all levels and abilities and meet once a week! This club is free to join and run local races with the Heights team! They change up the running distances, do tempo runs, run on the track, and do hill workouts at Spotts Park! They are also kid-friendly!
