Fitness Training
Running Communities Canada: The Top Running Clubs to Join
Looking to prepare for the Wings for Life World Run? Boost your mental or physical well-being? These Canadian community-based clubs are using running to spread positivity.
Ready to lace up your shoes and hit the pavement? Registration is now open for the next Wings for Life World Run on May 4, 2025.
Running is one of the best forms of exercise but it can be even more than that. It’s a great way to challenge yourself, embark on a journey of self-discovery, and overcome obstacles.
And the best part? It doesn’t matter if you want to just run towards a personal best, train for an upcoming marathon, or head for a casual job in the park.
It has the power to energize your mental, physical, and emotional well-being — and you can even do it for a good cause while surrounded by family and friends.
The Wings for Life World Run takes place each year and runners from all around the world are getting set to pound the pavement for this year’s event on May 7, 2023. All proceeds from the event go to support finding a cure for spinal cord injury.
Get ready to sweat, have some laughs, and push yourself to reach your goals on this global running adventure.
01
Anti Social Running Club
Where: All Across Canada on the Strava App
The Anti Social Running Club was founded in 2020 after it became harder and harder for people to get outside and go running. It connects users through the Strava app and works to collaborate with different running clubs, restaurants, and brands. They use innovative events to help revive both running communities and local markets.
02
Vancouver Running Company
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia
The Vancouver-based VRC Flight Crew is a place where Olympians and newcomers run alongside one another; and where no runner is left behind. Created to be a vehicle for well-being and connectivity, the club organizes weekly road and trail runs, virtual events, and workshops to bring together and grow the city's running community.
Here are some tips to kick off your Wings For Life World Run training
03
Ottawa City Run Club
Where: Ottawa, Ontario
This Ottawa-based running club fosters community, performance, and inclusivity through weekly runs. They also regularly put on different creative and unconventional running events. The club currently hosts weekly runs every Tuesday night from Ottawa’s highly revered Beyond The Pale parking lot.
04
YAMAJO Run Crew
Where: Montreal, Québec
YAMAJO is a Montreal-based running club that amplifies diversity, representation, and crew love. The group was founded in 2014 by David Joseph and has made strides across the city ever since. Today, the club consistently brings together 75 runners for three runs a week: track on Wednesdays, a Saturday workout, and an optional Sunday long run.
05
North End Runners
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The North End Runners are a diverse group that believes in promoting inclusiveness and camaraderie on and off the roads of Halifax. They mix things up by doing road runs and trail runs and they gather each Wednesday night for a casual 6km run, host an annual Halifax Rainbow Pride Run, and organize trail cleanups.
06
Project Love Run
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia and Edmonton, Alberta
Founder Filsan Abdiaman didn’t grow up with much of an athletic background but found her passion for running as a way to help overcome anxiety attacks, eating disorders, and depression. This is what led to the creation of Project Love Run – a collective of womxn that want to find a space to connect with others. It’s where brunch, running, and real talk come together.
07
Colour the Trails
Where: Vancouver, British Columbia
A collective of BIPoC and LGBTQ2S+ adventure seekers, the Colour the Trails running club is a socially conscious club that prides itself in advocating for inclusivity and community well-being. They focus on creating new social change and all they ask is you show up with an open heart and an open mind.
Join the Wings for Life World Run
This year’s Wings for Life World Run takes place on May 5th, 2024 and all proceeds from the event go to fund research to cure spinal cord injuries.
What’s better than running for a good cause? Maybe being able to do it from absolutely anywhere in the world. If you can’t make it to one of the course locations, you can download the Wings for Life World Run App to still take part.
You can even create your own local race with other members of your own running club. Head over to the Wings for Life World Run website to register, find out more information about this year’s event, and be part of a global movement to fund a cure for spinal cord injuries!