Written By Grace Richey
Account Executive
Contrary to popular belief, running hasn’t always been popular. Before the 1970s running boom, it was discouraged by doctors and reserved for elite athletes and Olympic runners. Since then, running has become a common sport, exercise, lifestyle, and community builder. Just look at the mass running clubs you can find in any city. It’s not coincidental that social media has grown exponentially simultaneously. The overlap between running and social media is deeper than meets the eye.
Social media influences everything we do- from the media we consume to how we spend our time and think. Oftentimes, that has a negative connotation, but with running culture, social media is mainly positive. Apps like Strava and Nike Run Club are all too familiar to runners - for many of us, it’s more of a crucial app than Instagram or TikTok. Many runners live by the phrase, “If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen,” which says a lot about the app’s culture and the users’ dedication. One of the biggest holdbacks with running is motivation, and Strava tracks progress so you can see how far you’ve come in a week, a month, or generally over time. Also, on Strava, your friends can give you kudos and comment on your runs. What better motivation is there than recognition?
Run clubs have overtaken cities and communities, and social media plays a huge role. Run clubs can form around certain geographic locations, aspects of identity, or common interests. Whatever running club you’re looking for, it exists. What was once a solitary sport is now for everyone, and everyone is posting about it. Run clubs are the new cool way to spend a Friday morning, find your people, and get exercise.
Running culture has evolved from an unwanted exercise to a lifestyle and a brand. There are running influencers hosting run clubs, like Renee Noe with the Noe Bad Vibes Run Club and #runtok on TikTok, a tool and community for runners of all stages.
When things get trendy on social media, users start implementing those things into their lives. Since running has become trendy, more and more people are looking to start running or get into it.
Thanks to social media, what used to be a despised workout is now a point of connectivity and social popularity. Whether on TikTok, Strava, Nike Run Club, or in person, positive running culture has picked up the pace and is here to stay.
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