Get to Know Your Running Clubs - San Francisco Run Club

In this edition of Get to Know Your Running Clubs we chatted with “Marathon” Matt Forsman about the San Francisco Run Club. Matt has been lleading the charge for 'Run Club' in one way, shape, or form for over a decade.

Want to learn more about them? Read on!

San Francisco Run Club

Tell us a bit about the club history

Run Club has been around for over a decade. We started with 30-35 runners for our inaugural season and now typically see 75-100 runners each season. We've been fortunate to see a handful of marriages, countless friendships, and there are even a few babies running around as a direct result of their parents meeting at Run Club! There have also been a few personal bests notched as well ;)

Nice! Tell us a bit about your members.

Technically, Run Club is year round. But, there are four seasons per year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). Each season is 10-12 weeks long with four running/workout days per week, generally revolving around a target half marathon (or two).

Generally, we cater to beginner/intermediate runners. If you're looking to tackle your first half marathon or run casually 2-3 times/week, you'll likely enjoy Run Club. Independent of the runs/workouts we offer, we really try to foster community by doing casual Tuesday night dinners, team karaoke nights, and other fun 'non' running related social events!

If you're a serious, hard core runner looking to run marathons or ultras, Run Club might not be the best fit for you.

Where/when do you usually meet and run?

A typical week for us usually looks like this:

  • Tuesday maintenance runs (Golden Gate Park and Downtown) @ 6:30pm
  • Thursday bootcamp (Downtown) or  speedwork (Golden Gate Park) @ 6:30pm
  • Saturday long runs (various spots in San Francisco) @ 9am
  • Sunday trail runs (Presidio) @ 9am

You can check out the Run Club Website to get the most up to date information about group meet up locations and times!

Any cost to be a member/join?

Runners can participate full-time (all runs/workouts per week), part-time (two runs/workouts per week), or a la carte. Full-time is $150 per season, part-time is $120 per season, and a la carte is between $75-$100 per season.

All of our members get a technical training shirt, a $20 gift certificate from A Runner's Mind, social events, race discounts, and more.

 
Run Club San Francisco

Are you affiliated with any events?

Yes! Sasquatch Racing (www.sasquatchracing.com) and the Golden State Half Series (http://runsf.com/the-event/golden-gate-half-series/)

Where are your favourite spots to run in/around the city?

One of my favorite routes is an easy, five mile, out and back course from the Marina Green Monkey Bars (adjacent to Marina/Fillmore) to Hopper Hands and back. It's a course that showcases some of the best views in the city and is approachable/accessible to pretty much any runner.

Another route I love begins at Julius Kahn Park and follows the Presidio Trails to Immigrant Point Overlook and back. It's just shy of four miles, but feels like an epic run. It's hard not to linger at the halfway point (Immigrant Point Overlook) which offers perhaps the most inspiring view in the city.

Do you have any favourite races? Outside of anything that you’re affiliated with :)

The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon has a special place in my heart. Some of this is due to the fact that I notched my personal best at this one many years ago :) It's also a great course that includes much of Golden Gate Park, an awesome stretch along Ocean Beach, and it's built for speed!

Anything else that we should know?

We're fun. We're low key. We're passionate about running, but we're also passionate about having fun and showing our runners a good time! All the coaches/captains (myself included) from Run Club really try to foster a sense of community and inclusiveness.

If you're looking to run, have fun, and meet some great people, I think Run Club is a worth a look!

Want to learn more?

Connect with Run Club, or just learn a bit more about them! Check out their information below:

San Francisco Run Club Website | Facebook | Instagram

Run Club San Francisco 

Find more runs around San Francisco

Looking for runs in and around the bay area? The RunGuides San Francisco race calendar can help you find upcoming runs and running races in the area - www.runguides.com/san-francisco/runs

Published on Nov 15, 2016