Looking for a women’s running group in Perth?
Finding a women’s running group in Perth that runners of every pace feel comfortable in can take some searching, especially if you’re nervous about turning up to a pack of fast strangers. You’re not alone in that. The good news is that Perth has a growing number of free, social groups where the pace is relaxed, walkers are welcome, and nobody cares about your splits.
This guide covers the one dedicated women’s community run we could confirm in Perth right now, plus the mixed social clubs with a strong, welcoming female crowd. You’ll also find what to expect on your first morning, how to choose a group and some practical safety tips for those dark pre-dawn starts.
Information checked October 2026. Club times change with the seasons, so check each group’s app or Instagram before you go.
Women’s running group Perth options: the quick summary
| Group | When and where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Femmi Run Community (women only) | Fridays 6:30am, Flame of Remembrance, Kings Park | Women wanting a calm 3-5km with no pressure |
| Rise and Run Club Perth | Fridays 6:00am, opposite Il Lido, Cottesloe | Run or walk, then an ocean dip and coffee |
| The Early Ones | Sunday mornings, usually Scarborough Beach | Untimed 40-minute coastal run, jog or walk |
| Perth Frontrunners | Saturdays 8:00am, Zamia Cafe, Kings Park | 5km run or 3km walk, LGBTQIA+ inclusive |
| parkrun | Saturdays 8:00am, across Perth | Free 5km with no time limit |
Femmi Run Community: Perth’s women-only social run
Femmi is a running app and community built for women. It was founded in July 2020 by elite athletes Lydia O’Donnell and Esther Keown, and it now runs around 20 women-led communities across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US, according to CommBank’s Women in Focus profile of the founders.
The Perth group meets every Friday morning in Kings Park. Here’s what Femmi’s Perth community page lists:
- When: Fridays, 6:30am
- Where: the Flame of Remembrance, Kings Park
- Distance: 3-5km
- Pace: about 6:00-8:00 min/km, with all abilities welcome
- Who: open to all women
- How to join: register through the Femmi app, which is free to download on iOS and Android
Femmi’s motto for its community runs is “people first, pace second”, and the group describes itself as a space to run together without competition. If 8 minutes per kilometre sounds slow to you, that’s the point. It’s a pace where you can chat the whole way.
The app also has a paid membership with training plans built around the menstrual cycle. You don’t need it to join the Friday run. If you’re interested in cycle-aware training, it’s worth having a chat with your GP or a sports dietitian about what suits you.
Why choose a women-only group?
Plenty of women are happy in mixed clubs. Others find a women-only run is the easiest way to start, especially if they’re coming back after having kids, building confidence after a break, or just don’t love being overtaken by blokes in short shorts. A women-only group can also be a good place to swap notes on things like sports bras, running through perimenopause or juggling school drop-off.
Women-friendly mixed run clubs in Perth
Perth only has a handful of women-only options, but many of the city’s social clubs are free, untimed and full of women. These are the ones in our Perth run club directory that suit a relaxed, no-pressure start.
Rise and Run Club Perth (Cottesloe)
Rise and Run meets on Fridays at 6:00am on the grass opposite Il Lido on Marine Parade, Cottesloe. It’s free, you set your own pace, and both runners and walkers are welcome. Afterwards there’s an optional ocean dip and a coffee catch-up.
It’s a good fit if the social side matters as much as the run. Full details are on our Rise and Run Club Perth profile.
The Early Ones (Scarborough)
The Early Ones run on Sunday mornings, usually from Scarborough Beach, with some weekday evening sessions too. Runs last about 40 minutes, aren’t timed and are free. Walking and jogging are both fine. Start times and meeting points change, so check The Early Ones profile and their Instagram the week you plan to go.
Perth Frontrunners (Kings Park)
Perth Frontrunners is an LGBTQIA+ social running and walking club that welcomes people of every gender, age and ability. Its Saturday 8:00am session from Zamia Cafe in Kings Park is free and open to non-members, with a 5km run or 3km walk followed by coffee. Members pay $50 a year and get extra weekday sessions. Their self-description, “Strollers, Rollers, Runners and Proudly Crap Joggers”, tells you everything about the vibe. See our Perth Frontrunners profile.
Coastal Cadence (Fremantle)
Coastal Cadence is a Fremantle social run club. In 2024, LiveLighter’s guide to free Perth run and walk clubs listed it as meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:45am. We haven’t been able to confirm its current schedule, so check the club’s Instagram before you head down.
Cold Nips (not a run, but a popular next step)
Cold Nips isn’t a running club. It’s a free sunrise ocean-dip community that meets on Wednesday mornings at Perth and Fremantle beaches. Many runners pair it with their own run. Locations rotate, so check the Cold Nips website for the current beach.
How do I choose the right women’s running group in Perth?
Too much choice can stop you from going anywhere. A few quick questions narrow it down:
- Do you want women only? Start with Femmi on a Friday. If you’re happy in a mixed group, any club above works.
- What time suits you? Most groups run between 5:45am and 8:00am. Pick one you can make every week, because routine is what makes it stick.
- Where do you live or work? Kings Park suits city and western-suburbs runners. Cottesloe and Scarborough suit coastal suburbs. Fremantle suits the south.
- How far can you go? If 5km feels like a lot, choose a group that welcomes walkers or offers a 3km option.
- What happens after? Coffee, a swim or straight to work? The post-run part is often where the friendships happen.
Will I be the slowest? What to expect on your first run
It’s the most common worry, and the honest answer is: maybe, and it won’t matter. Social clubs like these are untimed and built around chatting. Most have someone who stays at the back, or loop routes that mean nobody runs alone for long.
On your first morning:
- Arrive 10 minutes early and say it’s your first time. Someone will usually introduce you around.
- Start slower than you think. A conversational pace is the target.
- Walk when you need to. Run-walk intervals are completely normal.
- Bring water, especially from November to March.
- Stay for the coffee, even if you’re shy. That’s where you’ll get to know people.
Safety tips for dark-hour runs in Perth
Many Perth groups start before sunrise for much of the year, and some women prefer to run in a group precisely because it feels safer. These tips are adapted from the 261 Fearless running safety guide, a global women’s running organisation:
- Tell someone where you’re running and when you’ll be back, or share your live location.
- Be seen. Wear reflective clothing and a headlamp or clip-on light, and stick to well-lit paths.
- Carry your phone and keep your headphones low or out, so you can hear what’s around you.
- Run with others where you can. A group run solves this one for you.
- Vary your routes and times when you run solo, and avoid posting your regular schedule publicly in real time.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, head to a busy area and call for help.
- Face oncoming traffic if you have to run on a road without a footpath.
Perth summers bring early heat too. Wear sunscreen, even at 6am, and a cap. Our running sun protection review covers caps, sleeves and SPF that stays put. If you want a sweat-resistant option, Cancer Council Sport Dry-Touch SPF50+ and Invisible Zinc SPF50+ Sport are both in our shop.
Other low-pressure ways to start running with women in Perth
Parkrun
Parkrun is a free, volunteer-run 5km held at 8:00am every Saturday across Perth, with no time limit. Walkers are welcome, and lots of women bring friends or join a regular crew. Our guide to every Perth parkrun location will help you find the closest one.
The Women’s Classic Fun Run
The Athletes Foot Women’s Classic Fun Run is run by the West Australian Marathon Club from its Burswood clubrooms, with a 5km run or walk and a 10km run. The 2026 event marked its 40th year on 20 September, with part of the proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care WA. Men are welcome too, but it has a strong women’s crowd. Running Calendar lists the next one for Sunday 19 September 2027; check the WAMC event page for confirmed details. It’s a good first “event” goal if you start with a social club now.
Start with a friend
If turning up alone is the hardest part, bring a friend for the first few weeks. Most clubs are happy for walkers to come along, so a friend who isn’t a runner can still join you.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a women-only running group in Perth?
Yes. Femmi Run Community meets on Fridays at 6:30am at the Flame of Remembrance in Kings Park for a 3-5km run at around 6:00-8:00 min/km. It’s open to all women, and you register through the Femmi app, which is free to download. Check the app for any changes before you go.
Are Perth run clubs free?
Many are. Rise and Run Club Perth, The Early Ones and parkrun are free, and Perth Frontrunners’ Saturday run is free for non-members. Some clubs charge for coached sessions or memberships, so check each club’s page.
Can I walk at a Perth run club?
Often, yes. Rise and Run, The Early Ones, Perth Frontrunners and parkrun all welcome walkers. Femmi’s pace of up to 8 minutes per kilometre also suits run-walkers. If you’re unsure, message the club first.
What should I wear to my first group run?
Comfortable running shoes, breathable clothing, a supportive sports bra, a cap and sunscreen. For pre-dawn starts, add something reflective and a small light. Bring water and a towel if there’s a swim afterwards.
What’s the best time to start running in Perth?
Any time of year works, but spring and autumn are the most comfortable. In summer, early-morning groups help you beat the heat. Joining a weekly group is one of the easiest ways to build a routine.
Find your group
The hardest part is turning up the first time. Pick one group from this list, put it in your calendar for this week and go. You can browse every club, with meeting times and locations, in our Perth run club directory, and pick up early-morning essentials like sunscreen and hydration in the Perth Running Clubs shop.
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