COME AS YOU ARE

The run club where nobody gets left behind

A community run club in Cambridge, Ontario for every pace and every person. Our runs are time-based, not measured in distance, so we all start together and finish together.

WHY WE GATHER

Most run clubs are built around running. We are built around belonging.

Making friends as an adult is hard. Too often, run clubs are built around pace and performance, creating an environment where it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong.

Not here. Training for a marathon or walking your first 5K, you are in the right place. You come first, and your confidence grows from there.

OUR STORY

Just show up

There is no fee and no sign-up hurdle. The club is free, with only the occasional special event carrying a small cost. If you are on Strava, we love an RSVP so we have a rough idea of numbers, but it is never required. You can just show up.

What to expect on your first run:

You do not need to lose weight, get faster, buy fancy gear, or train on your own first. We meet you where you are, not where you think you should be.
We have pace groups for everyone, from walkers to the speedy folks and everything between. Tell us in advance and we will pair you with someone at a similar pace for your first few runs.
Many of us first came out on our own. Some of our closest friendships started exactly that way. We will introduce you to others so you feel part of the group from day one.
Babies in carriers, kids in strollers, little ones biking alongside, all welcome. We just ask that kids stay with you and helmets go on if they are on wheels.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

It was never only about the running

Running is the reason we gather. What we’re really building is friendship, confidence, and a community that shows up for each other and for Cambridge. We have removed thousands of pieces of litter from our trails, raised thousands of dollars for local causes like Movember, Women's Crisis Services, and the food bank, and partnered with more than 15 local businesses and organizations along the way.

300+

MEMBERS AND GROWING

275+

RUNS & EVENTS HOSTED

60-100+

AT MANY WEEKLY RUNS

Find Your Run

Three ways to move with us each week

Our routes and monthly schedule live right here, so you can plan ahead and see what to expect. For the week-to-week details like the exact meeting spot and parking, follow along on Instagram and Strava, that is also where the day-to-day chatter, photos, and reminders happen.

SEE THIS MONTH'S RUNS

Sundays, 9:00 AM

GROUP RUN & WALK

Wednesdays, 6:30 PM

GROUP RUN & WALK

Saturdays, 7:00 AM

TRACK RUN

Upcoming Runs

Schedule

Sep 9

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail, Galt

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A peaceful, uninterrupted run alongside the Grand River. Long straight stretches and almost no road crossings make it ideal for conversation-paced runs and longer efforts, just minutes from downtown.

Read more →

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sep 12

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.10:00 – 13:0010:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Family & Friends Run & BBQ

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.10:00 – 13:0010:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Family and Friends Run & BBQ at Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

Read more →

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.10:00 – 13:0010:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Sep 13

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Mill Run Trail, Preston

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

A scenic loop through East Preston with riverside trails, quiet streets, and views of the Grand River. A mix of gravel and paved paths with a few gentle inclines.

Read more →

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Sep 16

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Mill Run Trail, Preston

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A scenic loop through East Preston with riverside trails, quiet streets, and views of the Grand River. A mix of gravel and paved paths with a few gentle inclines.

Read more →

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sep 20

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

River Bluffs Trail, Galt

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

One of Cambridge's most picturesque riverside routes, following the Grand River through a quiet natural corridor. With no road crossings and a straightforward out-and-back, it is ideal for beginners and easy-paced kilometres.

Read more →

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.09:00 – 10:009:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Sep 23

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

River Bluffs Trail, Galt

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

One of Cambridge's most picturesque riverside routes, following the Grand River through a quiet natural corridor. With no road crossings and a straightforward out-and-back, it is ideal for beginners and easy-paced kilometres.

Read more →

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sep 26

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.07:00 – 08:007:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Saturday Track with Tammy

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.07:00 – 08:007:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Our Saturday Morning Track sessions are built to help you become a stronger, more confident runner, no matter where you are starting from. Whether you are training for your first 5K, chasing a personal best, returning from time away, or just adding variety to your week, there is a place for you on the track. Every workout is based on effort, not speed, so everyone completes the same session at their own pace. We regroup often, encourage each other, and celebrate progress over perfection.

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7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.07:00 – 08:007:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Sunday Shakeout: Run + Social - Mill Run Trail, Hespeler

Sep 27

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.14:00 – 17:002:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Shakeout: Run + Social - Mill Run Trail, Hespeler

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.14:00 – 17:002:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

One of our most scenic and relaxing routes, following the Speed River through mature forest and wetlands. Long stretches of uninterrupted trail make it a favourite for new and experienced members alike.

Read more →

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.14:00 – 17:002:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sep 30

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Mill Run Trail, Hespeler

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

One of our most scenic and relaxing routes, following the Speed River through mature forest and wetlands. Long stretches of uninterrupted trail make it a favourite for new and experienced members alike.

Read more →

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.18:30 – 19:306:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

BETTER TOGETHER

We did not build this alone

River Rats started with a sign up sheet and four people, followed by a local brewery that believed in the idea. Wave Maker Craft Brewery gave us our first home to gather, and Runners' Choice Waterloo helped us reach further into the community and grow into what we are today. As our community grew, so did the places we call home. The people and partners who back us are a part of why no one here runs alone.

MEET OUR PARTNERS

“The Cambridge running community has the most kind hearted, generous, and supportive people."

“It has been incredible getting to make so many meaningful connections. I cannot stress enough how grateful l am to be surrounded by their warmth, encouragement, and enthusiasm for life.
No matter how I show up to run, l always leave feeling replenished. Thank you.”
—Kris B.
"I joined River Rats when life felt like it was falling apart and I was close to giving up on my running goals."

“The support and encouragement I found gave me the confidence to keep going, helping me complete my first half marathon and now train for my first full. River Rats became more than a run club—it became the community that helped me believe in myself again.”
-Kim G.
"What surprised me most about River Rats Run Club wasn't the running, it was the sense of community."

“The friendships, encouragement, and accountability have made a bigger impact on individuals more than any workout ever could.”
-Nick H.
“Coming back to running after having a baby seemed like an uphill climb."

“ I’m so grateful for RRRC for giving me friends to run uphill with.”
-Eve D.

YOUR FIRST RUN

These look like people you'd want to spend a Sunday with

You do not have to be fast, experienced, or sure of yourself to belong here. You just have to show up, dirty shoes and all. We will be glad you did, and we will be right there beside you the whole way.

JOIN US FOR A RUN