Sometimes they head towards South Hobart along the Hobart Rivulet Track, other times they do a loop around Sandy Bay and Salamanca, or run towards Queens Domain and over the Tasman Bridge to Lindisfarne and back. In winter, the route largely depends on the weather and visibility, but they aim to run 10-12km and be back before 7am, giving everyone time to get ready to start their working day.

Even the frostiest mornings – when the jerry shrouds the river and the city in mist – are no deterrent for these enthusiastic running addicts.

“Even on the crisp mornings, it doesn’t take long to warm up,’’ Maree says.

And while Maree, 50, and Shane, 53, love running now – they have completed half marathons together and Shane recently ran 27km for “fun” on the Sunday the new Bridgewater Bridge opened so he could run across all three bridges in one day – it wasn’t always this way.

If you told Maree five years ago that she’d be a keen member of a running club she would have laughed and said it was “absolutely not possible”.

But she is one of a growing number of Tasmanians discovering the benefits of run clubs, which have popped up across the state at a rapid rate in recent years, and are seeing a huge surge in numbers as people look for new ways to socialise and get fit.

Search online for Tasmanian run clubs and you’ll be bombarded with websites and social media accounts spruiking clubs to suit all ages and levels of fitness.

In Hobart alone there’s a range of road and trail running groups, many of which meet weekly for a run, followed by a coffee and cake at a nearby cafe or a beer and a meal at the pub – with similar run clubs dotted across the state.

From the all-female Sweaty Betty Run Club on Hobart’s Eastern Shore (1600 Instagram followers) and Sole Mates Running Group (2700 Facebook followers) which promotes a range of social running events across Hobart including Pub Mates and Cafe Mates gatherings, to Launceston Running Buddies (1400 followers) and the North West Running Community Facebook page (1000 followers) which promotes regular events including Ulverstone Friday Fresh morning runs and evening Solemates runs in Burnie.

Free 5km community Park Run events (parkrun.com.au) are also soaring in popularity, with groups in Bellerive, Sorell, Montrose, Risdon Brook Dam, New Norfolk, Geeveston, Orford, Launceston, Burnie, Zeehan, St Helens, Flinders Island and many other Tassie locations.

Figures show almost 3.5 million Australians aged 15 and over participate in recreational running each year, making it one of the most popular forms of physical activity in the country.

And for many it’s about socialising as much as it is about exercising – and the Tassie boom is part of a broader explosion in running clubs interstate and overseas.

Run clubs have even been branded by some as the new Tinder, or an alternative to nightclubs, as they give people a way to meet and mingle in a safer, more health-conscious space, rather than drinking late at night in a bar.

Some Tassie runners are so keen that they run with several run clubs, ensuring they have a social run planned for every day of the week.

Knockoffs Run Club is one of the bigger groups, with up to 200 people turning out for weekly Thursday evening runs which start and end at North Hobart’s Room for a Pony.

Founded in October 2020 by Andy Goyen – who then worked as a nurse at the Royal Hobart Hospital – the group began as a way to bring healthcare workers together during the pandemic and nurture social connections.

Eight people took part in the first run, but the group has quickly grown to incorporate the wider community. Knockoffs now has upwards of 1000 members and Goyen says summer evening runs attract as many as 200 people.

Meanwhile the early morning Tuesday track sessions at Queens Domain – which finish with a coffee catch-up – attract up to 40 runners in the warmer months.

Even during winter there’s a solid turnout each week on the streets of Hobart, as well as on the trail runs the group holds on the last Sunday of every month at Fern Tree or Kingston.

Goyen says the main demographic is young working professionals, aged from their early 20s through to their 30s, with an even split between men and women. But the group also attracts older runners, with most finding the group through word of mouth, Instagram or the well-equipped website (knockoffsrunclub.com.au).

He believes people like the safety aspect of running as part of a group – there’s always a run leader at the front of the pack and others at the back to ensure everyone is included.

The runs also operate on an out-and-back basis – so people can simply turn around after 20 minutes of running or walking and head back to the starting point.

Membership is free but sponsorship from local businesses like Happi Studios, Leap Health, Mazda, Abercrombie Coffee and The Running Edge help cover the cost of public liability insurance and spot prizes for runners.

There’s also a paid membership option ($25 a year) for the more hardcore enthusiasts, which includes discount codes and other offers.

“We have some really good partnerships with local brands that share similar goals and ideologies to us,’’ Goyen says.

The 29-year-old now lives and works in Victoria but remains president of Knockoffs and returns to Tasmania regularly to run – he’s backed by a dedicated local committee ensuring events run smoothly.

Goyen says he had attended run clubs prior to starting Knockoffs but found runners often dispersed quickly after runs, rather than hanging around for a social catch-up.

“The reason I started Knockoffs was to have that running aspect and have that aspect of health and fitness but to connect and build on those relationships after the run,’’ he says.

“It was a way to interact and meet people in a healthy way … an organised safe space to stop and connect and share a drink and a bite to eat with those people. I think run clubs are so popular because of that – it allows people to connect in healthy ways, it’s not just going out drinking and dancing. There’s definitely a new wave of run clubs coming up … the new generation is focused on health and fitness, as opposed to drinking, and I guess run clubs have capitalised on that.’’

The majority of the group’s runners are local, but interstate runners – who visit Hobart for work or holidays – regularly turn up to enjoy the experience of running in a new place.

Many members start with little or no running experience but quickly grow to love it and transform their health, going on to compete in marathons and half marathons.

Goyen says many friendships have been formed, and plenty of romances too.

“There have definitely been relationships that have blossomed from our run club, for sure, which is always nice to see,’’ he says.

“I think it’s natural, hanging out in an environment of like-minded people, that you’re bound to find someone who is a good match.’’

He’s pleased the run club is so popular but it astounds him that his initially-small weekly get-together has grown into something massive.

“There was no expectation when I first started it,’’ Goyen admits.

“I love running, I love socialising and I love bringing people together, so it was those three things together … it has grown beyond my wildest expectations.’’

Mineena Gorring, 36, and her partner Lewis Taylor, 33, met through a run club.

Gorring had moved back to Hobart after living interstate and found it hard to meet people. So she joined Knockoffs.

“It gave me a sense of belonging to a community,’’ she says.

“Also you run through rain, hail and shine which I love and you all share a similar passion. It’s also something to look forward to during those winter months when social events start to slow down and people hibernate. It keeps you accountable. I’ve met so many amazing people.’’

Meanwhile Taylor started training for an ultra marathon, and joined Knockoffs.

“Heading to Knockoffs started out as an idea between friends to schedule in some combined social/active time, because we – like many adults – got stuck in the routine of not making many proactive plans with friends, and when we tried, schedules rarely aligned for group gatherings,’’ he explains.

‘’It is the regular and unwavering nature of a guaranteed timeslot each week that no one has to think about creating, that ensures its success.’’

He wasn’t expecting to find love.

“There’s many a stereotype of run clubs – young people high on endorphins, meeting, greeting, and hooking up,’’ Taylor says.

“I joked with my mates about this ‘trend’, however secretly did hope that maybe some interactions might lead to something.’’

He and Gorring bumped into each other at Room for a Pony after a run club session.

“Needless to say, I didn’t miss a run club for the next month after that,’’ Taylor says.

Three weeks after their initial encounter the duo crossed paths again.

“I ran as professionally as I could past her on the run, tapped her on the shoulder, and asked if she’d like a drink after,’’ Taylor says.

“She said yes and the rest is history!

“I know I got lucky, but run clubs are so much more than dating. I recommend them to anyone seeking community interaction, some feel-good energy that you cannot ignore, and ultimately the perfect way to make, maintain, and elevate relationships.’’

Gareth Hinds is an admin of Hobart Trail Runners – a Facebook community of 4800 members – and he’s also been bringing runners together for regular trail runs, including weekly Wednesday evening catch-ups, since 2020.

In the early days the runs – usually in the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington – attracted about a dozen people, but now typically attract 30-50 runners each week.

The group aims to be welcoming and non-judgmental and the runs always finish at a pub, giving runners the chance to catch up socially over a beer.

“It is about connecting with nature and being out in the beautiful landscape,’’ 41-year-old Hinds says. “We’re very spoilt here, we’re a capital city that has amazing landscapes within very close proximity.’’

The group facilitates the annual fagus run at Mt Field, plus coastal runs from Cremorne to Seven Mile Beach and at Kingston’s Alum Cliffs.

Hinds says many great friendships have been formed through the run club and it has been great to see personal transformations, whether that be someone’s weight loss journey, or their progression from basic trail running to tackling challenging events like the North West Trail Running Series or Stanley’s Gone Nuts Adventure Run (101km, 75km, 50km and 25km events) which they wouldn’t have had the confidence to do without the support of a run club.

He’s living proof of the transformative power of running.

“If you’d said a few years ago that I would have already done three ultra marathons by now I would have laughed at you,’’ he says.

All Aerobics Fitness owner Guy Franklin says group fitness classes have always been popular – his gym grew from fitness classes in community halls 35 years ago – and running clubs like Hash House Harriers have existed for many decades.

But interest in social run clubs has skyrocketed in recent years, with many finding run clubs to be a good add-on to their existing gym workouts or home fitness regimes, which is why his gym (allaerobics.com.au) offers running groups for members.

The benefit of running, Franklin says – apart from improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, improving bone density, aiding in weight management, reducing the risk of chronic disease while also boosting your mood, reducing stress and improving sleep quality – is that it’s accessible to anyone because you don’t need specialised skills or equipment, you just need a pair of sneakers to get started.

“All you need is a decent pair of running shoes and you’re away – slip them on and you’re straight out the door,’’ he says.

And running with others is great for motivation and accountability.

“The big thing is that people are a lot more aware of the need to be healthy and fit these days and it’s finding those avenues to do it,’’ Franklin says.

“Go to any coffee shops around town and you’ll see a group of people who have just finished their run and are having a coffee. The social element is one of the biggest drawcards.

“It becomes a lifestyle thing, it becomes a part of the week that you enjoy. We find that when people are in a group it tends to give them that extra motivation because they have like-minded people around them. And the ultimate outcome is that people get fitter.’’

He says at a nightclub, people are meeting through “beer goggles” but at a run club people are sober, fresh-faced and enjoying the natural “buzz” of endorphins.

“Meeting at a bar – it’s just a thing of the past, I think,’’ Franklin says.

“People doing runs, they’ve got something in common, they’ve got a good healthy outlook on life. They’re staying fit and healthy and having fun. It becomes more real as opposed to someone who is intoxicated in a bar.’’

Franklin and co-owner Terry Moore are involved with emceeing at some of the state’s major fun runs, including City to Casino and Point to Pinnacle, where interest – and entry numbers – have skyrocketed, with capped events selling out in record time.

A record number of 4773 runners signed up for Point to Pinnacle in November 2024 (3012 ran the full 21.1km – dubbed the “World’s Toughest Half Marathon” – while 1761 ran the 10km Point to Pub), and organiser Tim Smith says at this year’s 30th anniversary event “we are aiming to become the first running event in Tasmania to get over 5000 participants”.

Meanwhile a record 4400 entrants competed in the 2025 Run the Bridge event earlier this year, and 55 per cent were women in their 30s – a major shift from 10 years ago when the typical entrant was a 40-year-old man.

“It’s a wonderful time in the running industry,’’ race director Richard Welsh said at the time. “Fun runs around the world have never been more popular.”

Kunanyi Trail Series director Catherine Graue (kunanyitrailseries.com.au) says the annual Kunanyi Mountain Run, in March (with events ranging from 9km to 66km); as well as the Organ Pipes Classic (13km and 5km) in May; Tolosa Half (21km), Quarter (10km) and 5km, in August; Rialannah (12km, 6km and 3km) in September; and Knockers (11km and 4km), in November – have grown in popularity as more people take up running and seek a challenge.

“We’ve definitely seen quite strong growth in trail running,’’ she says.

“Participant numbers (for events) are up, sometimes up to 30 per cent. And a lot of that is down to the growth in run clubs – people want to find a community and look after their physical health and wellbeing. We’ve worked quite closely with a lot of run clubs... the trail running event calendar here in Tasmania and across Australia and internationally is getting full with a lot of new events.’’

Free council-run fitness sessions also attract strong crowds, as people embrace the chance to get outdoors, get fit and meet their neighbours.

Among the regular attendees at the weekly City of Clarence Fitness in the Park sessions at Lindisfarne (ccc.tas.gov.au/event/fitness-in-the-park) is 90-year-old Shirley Schlesinger.

And while she’s not a runner, she gives brisk walking and strength exercises a decent crack.

About three years ago, Schlesinger was walking along the esplanade when she noticed a group of people exercising at Simmons Park, not far from her home, and became curious.

“I should join in,” she thought.

So she did.

“I needed a fitness class of some sort,’’ she says. “But town’s a bit difficult, and this was right on my doorstep.’’

Every Tuesday for an hour, Schlesinger works out as part of the group. It has helped improve her fitness and her arthritis. But, more importantly, her confidence has grown and she’s formed new connections within the community.

“I’m fitter for it and certainly I enjoy the social aspect, they’re a very nice group of people,’’ Schlesinger says.

“At the first class the instructor wanted all of us to warm up by walking around briskly. And I said ‘I can’t do that’ and he said ‘give it a go and see what happens’. And I found I could do it. Not as quickly as the others, but I could still do it.’’

Schlesinger’s fitness buddies threw her a 90th birthday party at the park last month – complete with a coffee van, balloons and a birthday cake.

“They’d gone to quite a lot of trouble, it was very enjoyable,’’ she says.

And while she won’t be running a marathon, Schlesinger says she can see why interest in run clubs and other fitness groups is on the rise.

“It’s hard work, I don’t do it easily, so it has to have something other than the fitness aspect,’’ she says.

“And it does – we have a few laughs and enjoy each other’s company … I look forward to it every week.’’

Meanwhile Maree Wells believes it’s “the runner’s high” that keeps her – and other run club enthusiasts – coming back for more, despite the sometimes punishing running conditions.

“I always have a much better day if I exercise in the morning, it just sets the day off on the right foot,’’ she says.•