Portsmouth is one of our favourite Great Run destinations. With sea views from start to finish and plenty of inspiring sights and history – including a dash past HMS Victory – it’s a great city to get into running.
But scenery aside, there’s another reason why Portsmouth is on our list of top running cities: the running clubs. Here in the home of the Royal Navy, there’s a huge choice of running and athletics groups – so if you’re looking for some accountability, running tips or some new pals, why not try one out?
Find your stride with our all-abilities list of running clubs in Portsmouth.
Baffins Fit Club
“Whether you’re an absolute beginner, experienced plodder or fast sprinter, this is the running club for you” claims the Baffins website, and they certainly sound like a friendly lot. They put plenty of emphasis on the social aspect of club running, and organise nights out and fun runs, too – including the occasional outing in fancy dress.
Official runs take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as weekly bootcamp strength training sessions and several other ‘unofficial’ runs during the week. Your first session is free; beyond that, there’s a small annual membership fee. The best place to get up-to-date information is via their Facebook page, or the email addresses on their contact page.
Find out more on their Facebook
Portsmouth Joggers
The advantage of a big running club is that it means there’s bound to be someone running at your level – and with 400 members, Portsmouth Joggers is definitely one of the big running clubs in Portsmouth. Regular runs take place twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from Lakeside North Harbour and you’re welcome to come along to your first few sessions free of charge while you make your mind up about membership.
Portsmouth Joggers pride themselves on being inclusive, and regularly run Couch to 5k programmes for complete beginners and women-only runs. The club has a number of different training groups covering a full range of abilities, from 11-12 minutes per mile ‘social runners’ to those looking to complete the Great South Run in under 1 hour 40.
Find out more on their website
Hilsea Running Club
If you’re looking for a free, weekly 5k run in Portsmouth then try Hilsea Running Club. Runs take place on Tuesdays at 6:30pm and start at Hilsea Lido. Fun and supportive, runners of all abilities are very welcome. Book on via Eventbrite.
And if Hilsea Lido is a good starting point for you, you might want to try Run Walk Local who organise a weekly 2k or 5k run (or walk) every Sunday. Meet in the lido car park at 9:15 for a 9:30 start – all ages and abilities very welcome. Find out more via Facebook
City of Portsmouth Athletics Clubs
Based at the Mountbatten Centre, City of Portsmouth Athletics Club has access to an 8-lane running track as well as great indoor facilities. Runners aged 8 and upwards are welcome, and there are a huge range of activities on offer covering track, field, road and cross country running plus all-round strength and conditioning training.
Memberships aren’t the cheapest – they start at £50+ (or £30 for students/seniors) – but there are a lot of benefits for the more serious runner, and the facilities are some of the best in the area.
Find out more on their website
Isle of Wight Road Runners
Who said the Pompeys should have all the running fun? The Isle of Wight is also home to plenty of running clubs, including Isle of Wight Road Runners. Founded in 1988 and based in Newport, the group advertise themselves as ‘friendly’ and a ‘running group for all’. Groups from the club regularly travel further afield to take part in events and races up and down the country. Try the weekly coached track and buddy runs to improve speed and stamina.
Membership is under £30 for the year and your first four runs are free.
Find out more on their website
Let us know how you get on – we’d love to hear your running tales from in and around Portsmouth! Follow Great Run on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok and join the conversation online.
(Running club information updated August 2023)
