Ottawa has more good run clubs than it did two years ago. The right one is the one you will actually keep going to. Here are five, what each is like, and how to pick.
Full disclosure: we run The 25th Hour, one of the clubs below. We have tried to describe every club fairly, including ours. Details change, so check with the organizer before you head out.
| Club | Where | When | Cost | Distance and fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa City Run Club (OCRC) | Beyond the Pale, City Centre | Tuesday, 7:30 PM | Free | Varies. Everyone welcome. |
| Dominion City Run Club | Dominion City Brewing taproom | Wednesday, 7:00 PM | Free | 5 to 8 km, all paces |
| Hull Sunday Run Day | Bobino Bagel, Hull | Sunday, 9:00 AM | Free | 5 to 8 km, all levels |
| FTX Sunset Run Club | uOttawa Law Faculty building | Monday, 5:00 PM | Free | All paces, run-walk group |
| The 25th Hour | Sporting Life Lansdowne | Thursday, 7:00 PM | Free | 5 to 6 km, four pace groups |
Club details last checked September 10, 2026. Listed by day of the week, not ranked.
The five clubs
Ottawa City Run Club (OCRC)
OCRC meets Tuesdays at 7:30 PM at Beyond the Pale in City Centre. It is one of the biggest groups in the city and everyone is welcome. Distances change week to week, so check their page first. Go here if you want a big, busy city run on a fixed night.
Dominion City Run Club
Dominion City meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM outside the Dominion City Brewing taproom. Routes run about 5 to 8 km, all paces are welcome, there is no sign-up, and plenty of people stay for a drink after. A good pick if you like your run to end at a brewery.
Hull Sunday Run Day
Hull Sunday Run Day meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM at Bobino Bagel in Hull. Runs are 5 to 8 km for all levels. The best fit if you live in Gatineau or would rather run on a weekend morning than after work.
FTX Sunset Run Club
FTX Sunset meets Mondays at 5:00 PM in front of the University of Ottawa Law Faculty building. It is free and bilingual, with a run-walk group for beginners. If you are brand new to running, this is the gentlest first step on the list.
The 25th Hour
Our club meets every Thursday at 7:00 PM at Sporting Life Lansdowne, year-round. It is free and there is no sign-up. We run 5 to 6 km in four pace groups: 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30 per kilometre. If you are slower than that, run the route at your own pace. Everyone meets at the finish, and a sweep usually makes sure every runner gets back.
It started with three of us in March 2024. Most Thursdays now bring out more than 100 people, from first-time 5K runners to people deep in a marathon or Ironman build, and most stick around for half an hour after. The route goes up on Instagram and on Strava, where the club has 1,100 members.
We also host PR Night, a chip-timed night 5K on the track at Terry Fox Athletic Facility. 109 runners raced the first one in 2025, and 200 raced in August 2026. You do not have to race it to run with us on Thursdays.
How to choose
- Pick a night you can make every week. A great club across the city is less useful than a good one you can get to.
- Check the pace policy. "All paces welcome" can mean a lot of things. Look for pace groups, a run-walk option, regroup points or a sweep.
- Check the distance. A 5 km social run and a 12 km training night are different commitments.
- Check cost and sign-up. Some groups are free drop-ins. Paid groups and coached programs usually ask you to register for a season.
- Decide what you want out of it. A coached program suits a race goal. A weekly social run is better for building the habit.
What to ask before your first run
- How far is the group running this week?
- What is the slowest pace group?
- Does the group wait or regroup?
- Where do new runners find the organizer?
- Does the run go ahead in bad weather?
- Do I need to register first?
If the answers are not online, send a direct message. A well-run club makes the first visit easy.
Where to start
Pick the night that fits your week and go once. Nobody knows you are new until you tell them. If Thursday works, come find us at Sporting Life Lansdowne at 7:00 PM and tell someone it is your first run. Everything you need for your first Thursday.
