Run Club Brisbane: Free Social Runs and parkruns Worth Joining
Published 26 October 2026
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Brisbane's run club scene has exploded. On almost any weeknight you'll find a crew doing an easy 5k along the river and then getting coffee, a smoothie bowl or a drink. Many are free, and walkers are welcome. Add more than 20 Saturday parkruns across the city, and there's a group for every pace.
This guide lists free social run clubs in Brisbane and the city's parkruns, with times and meeting points taken from each organiser's own page. Details were checked on 25 October 2026. Run clubs change their schedules often, so always check the club's page or socials before you head out.
Brisbane run clubs at a glance
| Run club | When | Where they meet | Distance | Cost | Walkers welcome? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felons Run Club (with Club KT) | Wednesdays, 5:45pm for 6pm | Under the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves | 5 km run or walk along the river | Free | Yes, all fitness levels |
| Club KT x THISBOWL | Mondays, 6pm for 6:15pm | THISBOWL Newstead, Gasworks Plaza | 5 km walk or run along the river | Free (bowls afterwards are optional and extra) | Yes, all abilities |
| Club KT TAC Run Club | Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5am | Teneriffe Athletic Club carpark, 76 Commercial Rd | 60-minute structured sessions (Wednesdays have a 4:30am, 90-minute option) | Free | Training-focused |
| Brisbane Social Run Club | Thursdays, 6:15pm | The Ship Inn, South Bank | "5km-ish" social run | Free | Yes: "run, jog, or walk" |
| Brisbane Social Run Club, Saturday | Saturdays, 7am | A parkrun (location announced each week) | 5 km | Free | Yes |
Source: each club's own website, checked 25 October 2026. Times can change, so confirm on the club's page or social channels.
The run clubs in more detail
Felons Run Club (Howard Smith Wharves)
Felons runs a Wednesday run club in collaboration with Katie Dall of Club KT. According to Howard Smith Wharves, you meet under the Story Bridge at 5:45pm for a 6pm start. It's a 5 km run or walk along the Brisbane River, free to attend and open to all fitness levels. Finish-line refreshments are included, and there's a free cloakroom and bag drop.
Best for: after-work runners in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point who want a social finish.
Club KT (Newstead and Teneriffe)
Club KT, run by Katie Dall, hosts several free community sessions. According to the Club KT timetable page, these include:
- Monday: a 5 km walk or run along the river from THISBOWL Newstead at Gasworks Plaza (6pm for a 6:15pm start). Bowls together afterwards are optional and cost extra. The page notes two hours of free parking underneath.
- Tuesday and Wednesday at 5am: free training sessions from the Teneriffe Athletic Club carpark. Tuesday is a speed and technique session. Wednesday is a mid-week endurance run, with an option to start at 4:30am for 90 minutes.
Best for: people who want a mix of social runs and structured training.
Brisbane Social Run Club (South Bank)
The Brisbane Social Run Club describes itself as a "750+ member strong" community. It hosts a Thursday 6:15pm "5km-ish" social run from The Ship Inn at South Bank, plus a Saturday 7am parkrun at a different location each week. There's "no set pace, run, jog, or walk", and it's free. The club posts weekly details on its Facebook and Instagram.
Best for: newcomers to Brisbane and anyone who wants to meet people.
parkrun Brisbane: free 5k every Saturday
If weeknights don't suit, parkrun is Brisbane's biggest free running community. According to parkrun Australia, these are free, community 5k events every Saturday morning "where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate". You register once and bring your barcode.
Brisbane's inner-city and suburban parkruns include:
| parkrun | Location | Start time |
|---|---|---|
| South Bank | South Bank Parklands | 7:00am |
| New Farm | New Farm Park | 7:00am |
| St Lucia | University of Queensland, Sir William Macgregor Drive | 7:00am |
| Kelvin Grove | Bishop Street Park | 7:00am |
| Mitchelton | Teralba Park, Everton Park | 7:00am |
| Bunyaville | Pine Hills Netball Club, Bunya | 7:00am |
| Minnippi | Meadowlands Rd, Carina | 7:00am |
| Wynnum | Wynnum Manly Foreshore | 7:00am |
Source: each event's parkrun page, checked 25 October 2026.
Other Brisbane-area events include Rocks Riverside, Stones Corner, Wishart, Capalaba, Chermside, Forest Lake, Ashgrove, Kedron, Underwood Park, Mansfield, Lota, Zillmere and Pallara. Use the parkrun events map to find your closest one.
Run club or parkrun: which suits you?
The two work well together. Run clubs are mostly weeknight, social and about the people. parkrun is a timed, volunteer-run Saturday event with a result each week, so it's an easy way to see your progress. Many Brisbane runners do both: a social 5k midweek and a parkrun on Saturday. Brisbane Social Run Club even meets at a parkrun each Saturday.
How to choose a run club
- Pace: "Social" clubs usually have no set pace. Training sessions like Club KT's early-morning ones are more structured.
- Location and transport: The riverside clubs meet at South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves and Newstead. Plan your trip with Translink and check parking notes on each club's page.
- The after-party: Some clubs finish with coffee, food or drinks. Purchases are optional unless the club says otherwise.
- Walk first if you need to. Every club in the table above says walkers or all abilities are welcome.
Your first run club: tips
- Check socials on the day. Weather and events can change meeting points.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early and introduce yourself to the host.
- Start at the back. Nobody minds if you walk sections.
- Bring water and a light, especially for early-morning and evening sessions.
- Keep left on shared paths. The Riverwalk and South Bank paths are busy with cyclists and commuters.
Beyond the river: trail runs and walks
Want hills and dirt instead of concrete? Mt Coot-tha, in Brisbane's west, has some of the closest bush trails to the CBD. The Mt Coot-tha Summit Track climbs from JC Slaughter Falls to the lookout. It's 1.9 km one way, about 30 minutes each way, according to Brisbane City Council. Our Mt Coot-tha Summit Track guide covers parking and tips, and the short Simpson Falls track is nearby.
Active Quests turns trails like these into GPS check-in quests. Walk or run the track, check in at the finish, and earn ACTIVE Coins. Browse Brisbane quests.
Related guides
- How Many Steps a Day? Australia's New 7,000 Target
- Australian Physical Activity Guidelines 2026, Explained
- Benefits of Walking: 9 Evidence-Backed Reasons to Walk
Browse every Brisbane walking track and hiking trail on Active Quests.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free run clubs in Brisbane?
Yes. Felons Run Club, Club KT's community sessions and Brisbane Social Run Club all list their runs as free on their own pages. Food or drinks afterwards are optional extras.
What's the best run club in Brisbane for beginners?
Social clubs with no set pace, such as Brisbane Social Run Club, Felons Run Club or Club KT's Monday river run, are good for beginners because walkers are welcome. A Saturday parkrun is another low-pressure start.
What time is parkrun in Brisbane?
Brisbane parkruns start at 7:00am every Saturday. Check your event's page for the exact meeting point.
Do I need to register for parkrun?
Yes, but only once. Registering is free and gives you a personal barcode that you bring to every event to get a time.
Can I walk at a run club?
Yes. Every club listed here says walkers or all abilities are welcome, and parkrun explicitly welcomes walkers.
How far are run club runs?
Most Brisbane social run clubs cover about 5 km, usually along the Brisbane River.
Tours & experiences near Brisbane
Find your crew
Pick a night, turn up and say hi. For the days in between, Active Quests gives your solo walks and runs a goal. It's on the App Store.