RunPackGuides · 4 min read
How to start a running crew at university or college
Starting a running crew on campus: finding runners, picking a time that fits lectures, routes from campus, mixed paces, and keeping it going between terms.
Campus is one of the easiest places to start a running crew: lots of people, a shared timetable, and plenty who’d like to run but don’t want to join a competitive athletics club. A relaxed crew fills that gap.
Find the first runners
- Post in your course, halls or society group chats: “Easy 5 km, all paces, Thursday 5pm.”
- Ask the sports or students’ union whether you can list the crew. Some offer help to new groups.
- Put up a poster by the gym or library with a link to join.
Pick a time that fits lectures
Late afternoon or early evening on a weekday usually works, plus an optional weekend long run. Keep it the same each week so people can plan around it.
Routes from campus
One or two loops from a well-known meeting point (outside the library, the main gate). Loops let faster runners add laps. See how to plan a running route.
Make it welcoming
Say clearly that it isn’t a race and all paces are welcome. Run at the slowest person’s pace, regroup often, and have someone at the back. More in how to lead a group run and group run etiquette.
Keep it going between terms
- Share the leading so the crew outlives any one person’s timetable.
- Keep in touch over holidays: run “together” from home with a shared weekly target.
- Hand it over to newer students before the founders graduate.
How RunPack helps
With RunPack, the crew gets a private feed of everyone’s runs, including holiday runs from home. Free for up to 4 people; one person with RunPack Plus covers a crew of up to 30, and a person can be in up to five crews. Need a name? Try these running crew name ideas.