From downtown Orlando to Oviedo and Sanford, community walk and run clubs are drawing hundreds of participants each week, offering more than just exercise. For many Central Floridians, these clubs have become social hubs and low-pressure entry points into fitness.
While some groups are well established with hundreds of followers, others are just getting started. But all share a similar goal: creating connection through movement.
“Show up, getting out of the house is something I think a lot of people struggle with,” said Leah O’Keeffe, founder of Oviedo Chicks Club. “I think people are just looking for a community. So take a chance on yourself. Meet people. Any person who has come to a walk has made friends and been really glad that they came.”
Walk Clubs
College Park Dog Walk Club
Dogs and their owners can meet at Freehand Goods in College Park on Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. Participants can ask the bartender for a Dog Walk Stamp Card. After four walks, participants receive a free beer; after eight walks, they earn a club T-shirt; and after 12 walks, they receive a discount on the Dogs of College Park desk calendar.
(INSTAGRAM.COM/THEDRIVECOLLEGEPARK)
Mid-Florida Milers Walking Club
Mid-Florida Milers Walking Club is a long-standing organization dedicated to noncompetitive walking events throughout Central Florida. The club organizes group walks, usually on the first and third Saturdays of the month, welcoming walkers of all ages.
Orlando Girls Walk Club
Instagram.com/orlandogirlswalkclub
One of the largest women-only walk clubs in Central Florida, Orlando Girls Walk Club hosts a variety of events throughout the month. Walks are typically 2.5 miles and take place at different locations across Central Florida.
Oviedo Chicks Club
Instagram.com/oviedochicksclub
A newly launched walking club in Oviedo, the group meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at The Local Hen and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at Flakes & Fables. Tuesday participants can enjoy $5 beer and wine and 20% off food, while Saturday events offer 15% off food and drink. Kids and dogs are welcome at weekend walks. The club has also launched a book club and hosts additional social events throughout the month.
Run Clubs
Black Girls Run! Orlando
Facebook.com/groups/BlackGirlsRUNOrlando
Black Girls Run! Orlando provides a supportive space for Black women to prioritize fitness and wellness, based on the national group. The group connects through Facebook and organizes regular meetups throughout Central Florida.
Chosen Few Run Club
Chosen Few Run Club offers multiple weekly meetups: Thursdays at 6:45 p.m. at Gaston Edwards Park, Sundays at 7:45 a.m. at CFS Coffee and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. at The Loop. Every third Tuesday of the month, the group hosts a 2-mile walk followed by $2 tacos at Taco Kat.
(INSTAGRAM.COM/RUN.CFL)
Couch 2 Castle Run Club
Instagram.com/couch2castlerunclub
The club meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., starting at Couch Ex and finishing at The Castle Irish Pub. Participants receive a free pint and can enter raffles after the run.
DT Sanford Run Club
Instagram.com/dtsanfordrunclub
DT Sanford Run Club meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Henry’s Depot for a 2.5-mile run or walk. Participants receive $1 off draft beers following the run.
Fleet Feet Orlando Run Club
Instagram.com/fforlandorunclub
Meeting Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Twelve Talons Beerworks, Fleet Feet Orlando Run Club welcomes all levels. Weekly raffles and post-run gatherings after the run.
(INSTAGRAM.COM/FFORLANDORUNCLUB)
Gravity Run Club
Gravity Run Club meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Gravity Taproom. Participants can choose from 2-, 3- or 4-mile routes, with all paces welcome. Runners receive $1 off draft beers after the run.
GRO (Grit Running Orlando) Run Club
Instagram.com/gritrunningorlando
GRO Run Club meets Mondays at 6:45 p.m. at Lake Lorna Doone Park and Saturdays at the Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA. Now in its second year, the club continues to grow its base of beginner and experienced runners.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Running Club
On Wednesday nights, runners complete a 5K loop beginning at 6 p.m. at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company. The group is currently training for the Corporate 5K produced by Orlando Track Shack.
Lake Eola Run Club
Every Thursday at 6:45 p.m., runners and walkers of all levels meet up at Earthy Picks in the heart of downtown. Afterward, there is a social hangout at Earthy Picks with healthy refreshments and special discounts.
Milk District Run Club
Instagram.com/milk_district_run_club
Meeting Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Sideward Brewing, Milk District Run Club welcomes runners of all levels. The group hosts its “Work” series every third Thursday of the month and its “Engine” series every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., offering structured speed and aerobic workouts designed to build endurance.
(INSTAGRAM.COM/MILK_DISTRICT_RUN_CLUB)
Monday Runday at À La Cart SoDo
Runners meet every Monday at 6:45 p.m. at À La Cart in the SoDo District. The club recently celebrated its first anniversary and welcomes all paces. After each run, participants often stay for food, drinks and socializing.
Orlando Runners Club
Instragram.com/orlandorunnersclub
Orlando Runners Club hosts weekly runs on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Winter Park Mellow Mushroom; Wednesday mornings at 6 a.m. at Einstein Bros. Bagels in College Park; Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at Cady Way Pool; and long runs on Sundays at 7 a.m. in Winter Park. The club also organizes monthly events, including the first Tuesday at Roque Pub and the third Thursday at Brewlando in Maitland.
Ten10 Run Club
At Ten10 Brewing, runners, walkers or joggers meet every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Stay after for a social hangout, weekly raffle and happy hour beer pricing. Recently, they celebrated their 10th anniversary.
(INSATGRAM.COM/TEN10RUNCLUB)
Universal Run Club
Instagram.com/universalrunclub
Universal Run Club shares route directions through RunGo and organizes meetups through its Facebook group, typically each Saturday at 7:30 a.m., speeding off around the Universal area.