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PIONEERS Run Crew
Boston, Massachusetts
PIONEERS Run Crew is a Black and Brown-led running community in Dorchester, Boston, founded in 2017 to normalize running in the Black community and create inclusive, BIPOC-centered running spaces. The crew meets every Wednesday at 6:30 pm for free group runs offering 1, 3, and 5 mile distance options with all paces welcome.
About This Club
PIONEERS Run Crew is a Black and Brown-led running community based in Dorchester, founded in 2017 with a specific purpose: to normalize running in the Black community and build a BIPOC-centered space where runners actually belong. They meet every Wednesday at 6:30 pm at BCYF Marshall Community Center, and it costs nothing to show up. If you have been looking for a running group that was built with you in mind, this is worth knowing about.
Who It Suits
This crew was built specifically for BIPOC runners and people who have not always felt at home in running spaces, and that intention is central to what they are.
If you are a beginner, someone returning after a long break, or someone who runs slowly, the structure of the run, multiple distances and all paces welcome, is set up for exactly that. If you are looking for a fast, competitive training group, this is probably not your match.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Every Wednesday run offers three distance options, 1 mile, 3 miles, or 5 miles, so you pick what works for you that night. The routes run on urban streets and neighborhood roads through Dorchester. Their policy is all paces welcome and no runner left behind, which means the group is not going to leave you struggling alone out there.
Distance1 mile, 3 miles, 5 miles
PaceAll paces welcome; no runner left behind.
TerrainUrban streets, Neighborhood roads
Your First Run
Head to BCYF Marshall Community Center in Dorchester at 6:30 pm on a Wednesday. No membership, no sign-up, no fee. When you arrive, you will be choosing from three distance options, so you are not locked into anything that feels like too much. The no-runner-left-behind approach means being new or being slow is not going to make you a problem for anyone.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Boston
16 upcoming races in Boston. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026Boston 10K for Women Run Club Boston, MAFreeDetails Sat, Sep 12, 2026Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Boston, MA Boston, MAFrom $10Details Sat, Sep 19, 2026Run for the Dogs 5k - Boston Boston, MAFrom $35Details
See all Boston races
Common Questions About PIONEERS Run Crew
Do I have to pay or sign up before my first run?
No. The runs are free and no membership is required. You can just show up at BCYF Marshall Community Center at 6:30 pm on a Wednesday.
What if I can only run one mile? Is that actually okay?
Yes. A 1-mile option is one of the three posted distances every week. It is not a consolation option, it is listed the same as the 3 and 5 mile routes.
I have never run with a group before. Will it be awkward to show up solo?
PIONEERS was founded specifically to create an inclusive space, not a clique. Showing up alone to a first run is exactly the situation this crew exists for.
How far do the routes go, and can I cut a run short if I need to?
The three options are 1 mile, 3 miles, and 5 miles. Since you choose your distance before you head out, you are already picking the version that fits you, rather than trying to bail from a longer route mid-run.
Is this group open to runners who are not BIPOC?
PIONEERS describes itself as a BIPOC-centered space, founded to normalize running in the Black community. That mission and that community are at the center of what they do, and that is worth understanding before you come.
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.