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The Healf Source
Have Run Clubs Become A Dating Day Activity?
Written by: Pippa Thackeray
Written on: November 25, 2024
So, you’ve ordered your next pair of jogging shoes and you have everything in place to join that new running club you’ve heard about. Let’s say you’ve done so as part of a merely casual fitness endeavour, rather than one of any major social significance. And yet you are quick to realise that what you have stumbled upon appears to be a live action dating App!
For many new aspirational runners this is becoming a regular occurrence as, right now, across cities, and across the planet, runclubs appear to be having a makeover thanks to new TikTok trends suggesting to runners to use their time “wisely”.
Once a niche space for fitness purists and those seeking to network for reasons other than romance, these meetups are now buzzing with a new kind of energy, more like that you would see on Tinder or Hinge.
The “vibe” has shifted, and whether you’re a longtime runner or a curious newcomer, you’ve likely felt it. What was once an exercise-focused commitment has grown into a “low-stakes-, sweat-drenched” kind of affair. There are now even run clubs being hosted that are entirely dedicated to dating goals. And, it seems, not everyone’s thrilled about the change.
What sparked the run club trend?
“No one goes to the run club nowadays for the running bit”
Podcaster Chris Williamson on how the new trend of ‘run clubs’ is actually a form of dating in disguise
Community turns to competition
For those who joined run clubs before the hype, the global renovation has been a little bittersweet. It all now feels somewhat “transactional”. The subtle art of chatting with a fellow runner about their favourite trails or weekend plans has been painted over with calculated flirtation and overt matchmaking skills.
Seasoned members lament the loss of innocence, by recalling a different time way back when run clubs were genuinely just about building a local network. “You used to meet people for all kinds of reasons — to find a training buddy, to discover new parts of the city, or maybe even just to chit chat about nothing really,” remarks a running veteran. “Now, it feels like you’re auditioning, not socialising at all”.It is a change enabling a different kind of etiquette, complete with awkward rivalries, and even the occasional tiff over who "owns" certain routes or groups!
The allure of “Low-Stakes Mingling”
Conversely, dating run club fans say it offers a low-pressure environment, away from alcohol, nightclubs, bars and late nights, and instead has a healthier aspect to it — that, of course, may apply to the nature of the ‘running’ activity itself.
It may also be argued that for many years, run clubs have already existed as meetups providing continuity, and allowing relationships (platonic or otherwise) to ignite and thrive.
Coming back to the new gen runner, the rise of this TikTok trend might have its roots in a generation that often feels disconnected despite the ubiquity of social media “sharing”. Maybe some people enjoy the chase of exchanging smiles and stories mid-run, picking up conversations where they left off the week previous.
The backbone of modern dating
A term popularised by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, “Third spaces" are defined as places outside of home and work where people may gather to build community and personal relationships. Therefore, the run club interactions between people could be said to be one of the few thriving third spaces in a modern world dominated by virtual interaction. It could even go as far as being an antidote to the isolating nature of contemporary living.
Has this gone too far?
That said, the trend of running and dating could be taking a step over the line, with some fitness enthusiasts arguing that run clubs have strayed too far from their “more ethical” roots.
One runner compared the whole thing to a circus, calling it 'Love Island… on legs.'" The Venice Run Club, founded in 2020 by Justin Shields, has rapidly shot to fame as one of the largest running clubs in the world, regularly drawing more than 1,000 participants to its weekly runs. The sheer size of events such as this has turned casual jogs into logistical nightmares. It almost feels at odds with the organic, friendly and community-driven spirit that may have made run clubs appealing as a concept in the first place.
Meanwhile, serious runners question if these meetups are still the right space for them, as the emphasis shifts away from athletic goals. Some run clubs describe their pace as “chat friendly”, slowing it down to allow people more time to talk rather than keep moving.
Beyond running: Is there a call to reimagine third spaces?
Maybe the explosion of the ‘dating’ run club occurred for a reason deeper than first meets the eye. If run clubs can grow into a subdivision of the “dating” variety, is there now a cultural resolve to repair the damage of decades of social media havoc?
More to the point, what’s stopping us from reimagining other spaces for organic interaction? Cafes, parks, and even co-working spaces could all be adapted to encourage such meaningful (and viral), “low-pressure connections”. But go ask your parents or your grandparents what they think of this, they’ll most likely roll their eyes and say “Well now… meeting in person, that's a novel idea isn’t it?”.
The future of run clubs and community
As the hype around dating Apps and unread messages in inboxes become inevitably stale, the future of run club dating and the associated aftershocks of this trend are yet to be seen.
Some believe they’ll revert to smaller, tighter-knit groups. Others are left fearing the damage to the running club status quo is already done, and that run clubs may never regain the sense of purpose and community they once had.
The challenge moving forward is to ensure that these spaces remain inclusive, and authentic, and true to their purpose — even as they are set on a path of reinvention. Even if that means finding a run club near you.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Pippa is a content writer and qualified Nutritional Therapist (DipNT) creating research-based content with a passion for many areas of wellbeing, including hormonal health, mental health and digestive health.
As a contributor to The Healf Source, she regularly attends seminars and programmes on a plethora of contemporary health issues and modern research insights with a drive to never stop learning. In addition, interviewing experts and specialists across The Four Pillars: EAT, MOVE, MIND, SLEEP.
In her spare time, she is an avid swimmer, mindfulness and yoga lover, occasionally bringing a raw, honest approach to the topics she faces. You may also discover some personal accounts of eye-opening wellbeing experiences amidst the reality of a disorientating, and often conflicting, modern wellbeing space.
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