How to Find a Running Group in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is one of the best places to run in the country. The altitude, the trails, the weather; it all adds up to a city that takes running seriously. But finding people to run with, especially if you're new to the area or new to the sport, can take some digging.
Here's a straightforward guide to finding running groups, the best routes, and where the local running community actually hangs out.
Why Colorado Springs Is Built for Runners
Start with the elevation. At 6,035 feet, every run in the Springs is altitude training by default. Runners who train here develop aerobic capacity that pays off at lower elevations. It's the reason the U.S. Olympic Training Center was built here and why elite athletes have called this city home for decades.
The terrain is the real draw. Within a 30-minute drive, you can run through red rock formations in Garden of the Gods, climb the Barr Trail toward the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, or cruise flat paved paths along Monument Creek. Few cities offer that kind of range. You can run desert scrubland in the morning and alpine switchbacks in the afternoon.
The weather cooperates, too. Over 300 days of sunshine a year means you can run outdoors almost every day. Even winter runs are manageable. Cold and dry beats cold and wet.
Popular Running Groups and Clubs
Pikes Peak Road Runners (PPRR)
The biggest and most established running club in the Springs. PPRR organizes group runs, race series, training programs, and social events. They have runs for every level, from beginner walkers to competitive racers. If you want a structured entry point into the local running community, this is the place to start.
Colorado Springs Running Club
A more casual alternative with regular group runs around the city. Good for people who want consistency without the formality of a full club membership. They post weekly meetups and welcome all paces.
The Incline Club
For runners who want to suffer (in the best way). The Incline Club is focused on the Manitou Incline and surrounding trails. These are serious hill workouts. If you're training for mountain races or just want to build strength on steep terrain, this group pushes you.
Local Run Shop Groups
Fleet Feet Colorado Springs and Rescue Run Co both host regular group runs. These are typically free, open to all levels, and a great way to meet other runners in a low-pressure setting. Shop runs usually happen weekly on a set evening and often end with a discount or a beer at a nearby spot.
Strava Clubs
Search Strava for Colorado Springs running clubs and you'll find several active ones. These are more digital-first. You can see who's running near you, join challenges, and connect through comments. Not a replacement for in-person group runs, but a useful supplement.
Best Running Routes in the Springs
Garden of the Gods Loop
A roughly 3.5-mile paved loop through one of the most scenic spots in Colorado. Red rock towers, wide paths, and manageable rolling terrain. It gets crowded on weekends, so early morning runs are best. Perfect for an easy run or a first-time visitor run.
North Cheyenne Canon
Singletrack and fire roads winding through a forested canyon on the southwest side of town. You can piece together 4 to 12 miles depending on the route. The trails climb steadily, so expect elevation gain. Great for trail runners who want a workout without driving far from the city.
Pikes Peak via Barr Trail
The big one. The full Barr Trail is 13 miles one way with nearly 8,000 feet of elevation gain, a serious undertaking. Most runners do partial out-and-backs to Barr Camp (6 miles) or the tree line. This trail is the training ground for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. It will humble you.
Palmer Park
A network of trails on the east side of the city with mesa-top views, rocky singletrack, and short but punchy climbs. You can run 3 to 8 miles here depending on how you link the loops. It's a local favorite for quick trail runs after work.
Santa Fe Trail
A paved multi-use path running from Palmer Lake south to the base of the Incline in Manitou Springs. It's about 15 miles end to end, mostly flat with gentle grades. Ideal for long road runs, easy recovery days, or building mileage.
Monument Valley Park Path
A paved path through the heart of the city along Monument Creek. Around 3.5 miles one way, flat and shaded. Popular with commuters and lunchtime runners. Good for tempo runs or shaking out your legs.
Trail Running vs. Road Running Groups
The vibe is different, and Colorado Springs has strong communities for both.
Road running groups tend to be more structured. Set paces, set distances, regular schedules. If you're training for a half marathon or marathon, road groups give you accountability and a paceline to lock into. PPRR and the local shop runs lean toward road running.
Trail running groups are more relaxed about pace but more demanding on terrain. Nobody cares about your mile splits on Barr Trail; you're just trying to survive the climb. The Incline Club and various informal Strava-organized groups cater to trail runners. Trail running is growing fast in the Springs, fueled by the proximity to trails like Barr and the Incline and the growth of mountain ultra races.
Many runners in the Springs do both. Road miles during the week, trails on the weekend. That mix is one of the perks of living here.
Find Running Partners on TerenGO
Running groups are great, but they run on a fixed schedule at a fixed pace. Sometimes you just want to find one person who matches your pace, prefers the same trails, and is free on a Tuesday morning.
TerenGO lets you set your preference for trail or road running, your typical pace and distance, and your location in the Springs. The app matches you with runners who are a runners who actually run the way you do, not just anyone who happens to live nearby, but someone who runs the way you do.
Safety features like activity check-ins, reliability scores, and emergency contact notifications mean you can meet new running partners without second-guessing it. It's free to use and built specifically for Colorado's outdoor community.
Find your next running partner in Colorado Springs.
TerenGO matches you by pace, distance, trail preference, and location. Free to join.