Why is Running Having a Moment?
The Runnaissance: 7 Factors Contributing to the Boom | Marina Run Club
This is part 2 of a 3 part series exploring intersections of community and health.
The world paused. Gyms shuttered up. We were told to lock in place.
In March of 2020, running became my way of staying sane amidst the chaos of world news.
I penned in my Castelli journal:
The impediment to action advances action, what stands in the way becomes the way.
Running started as a coping mechanism but has transformed into something much more - a deeply spiritual practice for me.
Running is a moving meditation. It forces extended periods of time with myself and my thoughts. We all need some form of spaciousness to combat modern life’s pace.
Running reminds me of my resilience in my bloodlines, helps me requalify my mind, and has gifted me an activity I enjoy before the world wakes up.
As run clubs explode across the United States… why running, and why now?
The Runnaissance: Unraveling the Macro Drivers of the Run Boom
Here’s 7 forces (of many more) that led to the run club’s BOOM, some more obvious than others:
Run clubs are low barrier, High Impact. The beauty of running lies in its minimalism. You need shoes, open space, and some spirit. That’s it.
People are seeking genuine connection: Amidst the brewing loneliness epidemic, run clubs have emerged as epicenters of genuine human connection. Which we’re all craving. Running in groups has become a space for many to find authentic connections. A lot of people have lost interest in consistently meeting people at bars and clubs. Run clubs have emerged as new social hubs. They’re not just about fitness - they’re melting pots of perspectives and camaraderie.
As Ben called out in our part 2 of “Community is Good for our Health”,
People are incredibly lonely and want more than to just plug in their headphones in and zone out for a 45 minute workout. They want to connect and engage with likeminded people.
Modern Running is a tech-enabled experience: this one is less obvious, but undeniable once you see it. We live in a period of running abundance. We have our AirPods, customized playlists that match our running cadence, tracking apps like Strava, and endless running content elevates each stride. Technology has made running “easier” by transforming the experience and culture… Airpods have redefined the run experience. Gone are the days of wires holding you back. In are the days of optimized playlists for your BPM or your favorite music/podcast to get you through the miles.
Strava is your accountability partner and serves as ‘proof of work’. Each run that’s recorded is celebrated with Kudos. By celebrating milestones, your behaviors are reinforced, and your likelihood of running again is increased.
As Ali Momin put it:
In a world increasingly driven by data, information and numbers, smart watches and fitness apps such as Strava have made fitness more accessible to millions…
But the best feature about Strava? Its community. 'Kudos' (or likes) and comments from family, friends or like minded individuals serve as extra encouragement and motivation. Academic research points to users being 3 times more likely to maintain good fitness habits when participating in group settings (physical or virtual). Where Instagram and Twitter often fail us in our modern social media world, no trolling of users ever exists on Strava. Only buckets of positivity.
Running Creators + High-Quality Running Content There’s an ecosystem growing around the culture of running - RunToks, Instagram Reels, and creators promoting the positivity and high vibe nature of the sport. Big kudos to Alex Heatzig, Dom Fusco, Erin Bailey, Tyler Swartz from Endorphins, Matt Choi, and many more for intentionally sharing their experience with the world.
Rise of Wearable Tech: Wearables like Garmin, Whoop, and any heart-rate monitor has exploded, and with Global Wearable Devices expected CAGR of 4.3% through 2033, wearables are here to stay. These devices are showing newer runners how to adhere to the “80/20 rule of running” and people are training more intelligently than ever.
Mimetic Desire: Running has become aspirational. It’s a status symbol. Social media has sparked people’s inner belief of “I can do that too.” When Jenny sees Danielle completed that half marathon, she wants that too.
Catharsis: A confession: running was my way of feeling in control when everything else seemed chaotic in early 2020. It was my haven when we weren’t sure if the world was ending. Just me?
In the Summer of 2020, the world was shut down, tensions were high. Clocking miles by myself helped me form a deeper self connection.
Fitness Communities are now Lifestyle Communities
Running’s gone through some changes…
It’s transformed from a nerdy, solo sport into a community-based culture. If you’ve ever pushed through a run long enough to feel the endorphins rush, you know running is more than just a fad. It’s a movement.
There’s a broader movement happening in fitness communities. Ben Parens pointed out:
The fitness landscape historically has been dominated by big box gyms where the mindset is “sign up as many people as possible and hope they all don’t show up at once” Oh yeah, and make it impossible to quit.
The fitness landscape (in major cities) is now dominated by high-energy, supportive, and welcoming fitness communities where you can find new friends who have similar active lifestyles.
Regardless of the movement type, I get excited about any activity that help us form relationships, create community, push ourselves, and hold others accountable.
By moving together, we realize we’re capable of far more than we imagined.
Endnote
We’ll take a brief pause on “Community is Good for our Health” - my next essay will explore takeaways from a recent Meditation Retreat in Austin that was transformative. These spaces (Mens groups, digital detoxes, and unique wellness x hospitality concepts) will thrive for the rest of the 2020s and beyond, and I look forward to sharing why I believe this soon.
Be Well,
Adam
I like to think this started a year prior during our touristic run in Vienna (:
the power of community is truly limitless!