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Founders Running Club :: San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Founders Running Club is a free weekly social running and networking group meeting Saturdays at Rideout Fountain in Panhandle park. Runs feature conversational pace 5K or 10K options with pace groups, followed by coffee or brunch.
About This Club
Founders Running Club meets every Saturday at 9:30 AM at Rideout Fountain in Panhandle Park, running a 5K or 10K at conversational pace before heading out for coffee or brunch together. It is free to show up, no membership required. The networking angle is built in, so if you are new to San Francisco or just want to meet people while you move, that is exactly what this run is designed for.
Who It Suits
This suits beginner runners, people returning after a break, and anyone who wants a social reason to get out on Saturday mornings without committing to a race training plan. If you want a hard workout with splits and structured coaching, this is probably not your Saturday.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
You pick your distance, 5K or 10K, and run at a pace where you can hold a conversation, which they put at roughly 5:00 to 7:30 minutes per kilometer. Pace groups mean you are not just guessing where you fit; you find your group and go. The route covers roads, urban trails, and parks, so expect Panhandle Park terrain rather than a track or a trail race.
Distance5K, 10K
PaceConversational pace; pace groups available; typical pace 5:00-7:30 min/km; all paces welcome
TerrainRoad, Urban trails, Parks
Post-runCoffee or brunch after the run
Your First Run
Show up to Rideout Fountain in Panhandle Park at 9:30 AM on a Saturday. Walkers are explicitly welcome, so if you need to walk stretches, you will not be the only one and no one is going to make it weird.
Coming alone is genuinely fine here, the post-run coffee or brunch is where people actually talk, and that social piece is a core part of what they do, not an afterthought. You do not need to register ahead of time or pay anything.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in San Francisco
29 upcoming races in San Francisco. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026Run for PB& J 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, CAFrom $30Register Sat, Aug 15, 2026Bagel Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco, CAFrom $30Register Sun, Aug 16, 2026The SF Mile San Francisco, CAFrom $45Details
See all San Francisco races
Common Questions About Founders Running Club :: San Francisco
Do I need to sign up or pay anything before showing up?
No. It is free and there is no registration. Just show up to Rideout Fountain in Panhandle Park by 9:30 AM on a Saturday.
What if I am way slower than everyone else?
They describe the pace as conversational, running 5:00 to 7:30 minutes per kilometer, and walkers are welcome. Pace groups are available so you can find people moving at your speed rather than trying to keep up with a single fast pack.
Do I have to do the 10K, or can I just do the 5K?
Both options are offered every week, so you choose the distance that works for you on the day.
What happens after the run?
The group goes for coffee or brunch together. They do not specify a fixed spot, so it is worth asking when you arrive where they are heading that day.
Is this really a networking thing, or is that just marketing?
They describe it specifically as a running and networking group, not just a run club that happens to be social. If meeting people in a work or startup context while running is appealing, that framing is intentional.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.