Why Gen Z singles are racing to love in London: The rise in running clubs has reignited singles' goals of racing to love.
By Sanchia Saunders
When you think of running, if you’re anything like me, the first thing that’ll come to mind is, middle aged fitness fanatics running around London’s very own Hyde Park, whilst it’s pissing it down with rain, in a belt to stay in shape and keep the blood pressure down.
However if you fast forward to today, that visual image that I’ve ever so kindly just provided you is no more.
It’s done a total 360.
As now if I mention running the first thing you’re gonna think of is sexy young men & women decked out in
Gym Shark &
Lululemon outfits showing off every muscle and curve of their perfectly crafted bodies, outside ready to find their perfect match at a Run Club.
If you’re wondering why there has been such a sudden surge in activity based dating I would blame TikTok,
British Gossip Girl, Emily to be exact.
As with over 80k followers on the app, and
a number of viral videos showcasing the inside scoop of what goes on behind the scenes of a run club, alongside some of their top attendees, I’m not surprised that it continues to grow in popularity!
What even is a run club?
A run club is basically what it says on the tin.
It’s a group of individuals who gather on set days of the week to participate in a group run, which is often filled with community spirit, and oozes
‘safety in numbers’!
According to RunnersNeed,
some of the benefits of a run club are as follows:
SOCIAL:
If you’ve moved to a new area and want to meet like-minded people or you just want to be social, Run Clubs are a one of the best ways to do it. With time to chat along the route you might even end up enjoying a post run drink with your fellow runners.
SUPPORT:
If you’re struggling with your training or you’re looking for a pat on the back after a good one, running with a Run Club will give you all the support and encouragement you need.
SAFETY: Running on your own can feel a little uneasy, especially if it’s in the dark or through poorly lit streets; running with a Run Club will give you that extra security.
COMPETITIVE (IF YOU WANT THAT):
Not everyone who runs in a Run Club is looking for competition but if you thrive with a little rivalry then you could find your
MOTIVATION:
Running is a great way to get a little solitude but sometimes it helps having someone to chat to and cheer you on when you’re finding it difficult.
Have run clubs replaced dating apps?
With dating apps being very much on the decline due to them now being described as ‘admin’, it has created a space for singles to think outside of the box and come up with new ways to find love.
With more than
half a million [Tinder] users abandoning the platform since May 2023, it has allowed for run clubs to blossom and become the most popular form of dating for singles thus far in 2025.
According to the Independent, ‘Dating apps often encourage a focus on appearance over personality which can lead to feelings of objectification and superficiality.
It often leaves people feeling dehumanised and less valued for their true selves. The prevalence of fake profiles and deceptive behaviour, such as catfishing, is also undermining trust in dating apps, so a running club cuts through that noise.”
This perfectly sums up how even though dating apps are on the decline due to them not fostering meaningful connection - it sheds light on how singles are now
looking for love offline in more activity based dating styles.
The future of dating:
So with social media clearly influencing dating trends/ styles - what does this mean for the future of dating.
As the statistics stated about tinder seeing a decline in its users and singles willingly choosing to run to find a man/ woman - it looks like
activity based dating is here to stay.
Whether that’s running, swimming, Pilates, golf I truly believe love is switching to
offline, but what do you think?
Credits:
- British Gossip Girl: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyannwillcox?lang=en
- Runnersneed: https://www.runnersneed.com/expert-advice/run-clubs/the-benefits-of-joining-a-run-club.html
- The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/08/it-feels-like-admin-why-are-people-falling-out-of-love-with-dating-apps
- The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/running-clubs-dating-apps-meet-cute-b2548844.html
- Offline Dating: https://www.evntfuldating.com/offline-dating
Swipe left on traditional dating apps....
