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RiversideCalifornia
CommunityFree
Running Club at UCR
Riverside, California
Running Club at UCR is a free, casual, and social running club based at the University of California, Riverside that meets outside the SRC Monday through Friday in the late afternoon for 1-7 mile group runs. The club welcomes all experience levels with multiple mileage and pace groups.
About This Club
Running Club at UCR is a free, five-days-a-week group that meets right outside the Student Recreation Center on the UC Riverside campus. They run 1-7 miles and deliberately keep multiple pace groups so a first-timer and a seasoned runner can both show up on the same day and neither one is stranded.
Highlights
- Social icebreakers
- Hikes
- Races
- Collaborations with other colleges
Who It Suits
This club is built for the UC Riverside community - students especially - and works well if you want something casual and social rather than a structured training program. If you are chasing a specific race goal with coached workouts and structured speedwork, they do not describe offering that, and you may want something more program-driven alongside this.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
They split into shorter runs of 1-3 miles and longer runs of 4-7 miles, so you pick your distance at the start rather than committing to something unknown.
The routes vary - campus paths, parts of Downtown Riverside on city streets, and mountain trails in the Box Springs Mountains - so the ground under your feet genuinely changes depending on the day. They describe their approach as making running accessible rather than targeting a specific pace, with low, medium, and high running styles all in the mix.
Distance1-3 miles, 4-7 miles
PaceMultiple mileage groups; inclusive of all levels with low, medium, and high running styles, focused on making running accessible rather than on a specific pace
TerrainCampus paths, City streets (parts of Downtown Riverside), Mountain trails (Box Springs Mountains)
Post-runClub includes social elements like icebreakers, hikes, races, and occasional collaborations with other colleges
Your First Run
Show up at 5 PM (or 4 PM during winter daylight saving time) to the shaded tables by the north entrance of the UCR SRC - that specific spot matters because the campus is big, so look for the north entrance and the tables in the shade.
You do not need to sign up, pay, or know anyone beforehand. They run Monday through Friday, which means your first attempt is low-stakes: if it feels off, another chance comes the next day. They organize icebreakers as part of the club's social side, which takes some of the awkwardness out of arriving alone.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Riverside
4 upcoming races in Riverside. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 8, 2026PAY TO PLAY 5K Riverside, CAFrom $18Register Sat, Sep 12, 2026Finish on the 50 Riverside, CAFrom $45Register Sun, Oct 18, 2026MISSION INN RUN Riverside, CAFrom $55Details
See all Riverside races
Common Questions About Running Club at UCR
Do I have to pay or sign up before showing up?
No. The club is free and there is no sign-up mentioned. You can walk up to the SRC north entrance tables at 5 PM on any weekday.
What if I can only run a mile or two - will I be holding everyone up?
They run a separate 1-3 mile group alongside the 4-7 mile group, so shorter-distance runners are not tagging along on a route that does not fit them.
Does the meeting time ever change?
Yes - it shifts to 4 PM during winter daylight saving time, so check that before you head over in the fall or winter.
Is it just running, or is there anything else going on?
Beyond the weekday runs, they organize hikes, races, icebreakers, and occasional events with other colleges.
Do you have to be a UCR student to join?
They describe themselves as a university-affiliated club based on the UC Riverside campus. If that is a hard requirement, it is worth confirming with them directly before you make the trip.
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.