What Community Programs and Running Clubs Does the B.A.A. Offer?

Updated

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) runs two main avenues for year-round participation beyond race day: community programs focused on youth running, school initiatives, and local events, and the B.A.A. Running Club, which fields High Performance, Racing, and Club teams across road, track, and cross-country racing. Both are open to people who want to stay active with the organization between marathons — the community side leans toward youth and local engagement, while the club side is for athletes who want to train and compete.

Community Programs

According to the B.A.A., its community programs are designed to "inspire active lifestyles year-round," with three broad components:

  • Youth running — introductory and developmental running opportunities for younger participants.
  • School initiatives — programs delivered through schools rather than only through B.A.A.-owned events.
  • Local events — gatherings that "bring Boston together" around running and fitness.

The through-line is participation rather than competition: these programs exist to get people moving, not to qualify them for a race. If you are looking for something for a child, a school partnership, or a neighborhood event, this is the relevant part of baa.org.

B.A.A. Running Club

The B.A.A. Running Club is the competitive and training side of the organization. It "unites athletes of all levels through road, track, and cross-country racing," and is organized into three tiers:

Team What it suggests about the athlete
High Performance Elite-level athletes competing at a professional standard
Racing Competitive runners training for and entering races
Club General members who want structured club running

Because the club spans road, track, and cross-country, members are not limited to marathon-style distance running. The existence of a separate High Performance team also means the club is not purely recreational — it supports athletes at the top of the sport alongside everyday members.

How to Decide Which Fits You

  • Choose community programs if your goal is youth participation, a school-based activity, or a local, non-competitive running event.
  • Choose the Running Club if you want to train and race with others, whether at club, racing, or high-performance level.
  • Check both if you have children who run and also want your own training group — the two tracks are separate but both live under the same organization.

Where to Start on baa.org

The homepage links directly to "Community Programs" (LEARN MORE) and "Clubs & Teams" (EXPLORE CLUBS), so those two sections are the fastest route to current details, eligibility, and sign-up information. The B.A.A. also lists its races — the Boston 5K, B.A.A. 10K, Boston Half, and the Boston Marathon — under "The Races," which is useful if your interest is event participation rather than a standing program.

One practical note: the B.A.A. is a non-profit founded in 1887, and its stated mission is promoting health, fitness, and community through running. That framing explains why the community programs and the club coexist — one serves broad participation, the other serves competitive development.