Running clubs in Barcelona: how to start running with a group

Barcelona is a perfect city for running: the sea, endless seafront promenades, parks and good weather almost all year round. Even so, lots of people find it hard to get started, or to stay consistent, when they run alone. That is why running clubs have become one of the most popular things to do in the city: you meet a group, run at a comfortable pace and, before you know it, you have exercised and made new friends.

What is a running club?

A running club is a group that meets regularly to run together. It is not a race or elite training: most runs are at a conversational pace, meaning easy enough to chat while you run. There is usually a meeting point, a fixed or changing route and someone who sets the pace and makes sure nobody gets lost.

Many running clubs finish with a coffee, brunch or a beer. The social side matters as much as the kilometres.

Why running with a group helps so much

• Consistency. It is much easier to go for a run on a Tuesday evening when people are expecting you.
• It feels easier. With your attention split between conversation, the group and your surroundings, you notice the fatigue less.
• Pacing. Running behind someone who holds a steady pace prevents the classic beginner mistake: starting too fast.
• Safety. Running with others, especially early in the morning or at dusk, is reassuring.
• New people. It is one of the best ways to make friends in a big city.

How to start if you have never run

1. Choose a club with a beginner-friendly pace. Ask beforehand what distance and pace they run. A 5 km group at conversational pace is perfect to start.
2. Do not worry about gear. Comfortable running shoes and breathable clothes are enough. The GPS watch can wait.
3. Mix running and walking. If you cannot yet run 5 km non-stop, alternate minutes of running with minutes of walking. Nobody will judge you.
4. Arrive early. That way you warm up with the group and meet people before setting off.
5. Hydrate and listen to your body. Bring water, especially in summer, and slow down if you need to.
6. Keep coming. The magic is in consistency: after three or four runs you will feel the difference.

Our running club: music in your headphones and a DJ on a bike

At Wellness Tribe we have given the format a twist. Every runner wears EKKO wireless headphones, and a DJ mixes live from a bike that rides alongside the group. Everyone hears the same set at the same tempo, while the run leader gives cues through a microphone: when to regroup, when to push and when to ease off.

The result is part workout, part party. The kilometres fly by, the group stays together and, because the sound is only in the headphones, we disturb nobody along the way. At our big event on 19 September at BeWake (Castelldefels), the day started exactly like that: a 5 km run with Hairo from Running Club Barcelona and DJ Hirmonix mixing from his bike.

What to bring to your first run

• Running shoes and comfortable clothes
• Water
• Cap and sunscreen if it is sunny
• A light layer for afterwards
• An open mind for meeting people

Tips to avoid injury

Start with short distances and build up gradually, by no more than about 10% a week. Warm up beforehand and stretch gently afterwards. If something hurts sharply, stop. And remember that rest is part of training too.

Sign up

We publish Wellness Tribe running club dates on our events page and on Luma. Pick a date, sign up and get to the meeting point a little early. We bring the headphones and the music; you bring your legs.