Happy Saturday!

I’m Chloe! I’ve been a journalist here at TDA for two years. You may (…or may not!) have seen me in some of our videos — you know, the important ones: "Why do police still ride horses?" or "Can you really die from too much Snus?" There’s also my rolling updates on NYC’s war against rats.

This is my first time writing in our weekend newsletter!

In recent months, I’ve lost friend after friend to the run club revolution. Willingly, they have traded our beloved Saturday morning brunches for pre-dawn workouts with complete strangers. “It’s the new dating app,” they cry. “I’m hooked on the runner's high,” another insists. Ludicrous.

This week, I demanded answers: What’s fuelling the growing popularity of run clubs? Is it just a trend?

Most importantly… What are we all running from?

Running. Why?

Let’s start broadly, with the uptake of recreational running – a trend I’ve observed comfortably from a distance. According to Government data, the number of Australian adults who run surged during the pandemic, from 3.4 million in 2019 to 4.2 million in 2020.

This increase was driven largely by gym closures and the need for an accessible form of exercise outside the home. Yet, as the pandemic has receded, many have held onto running as a key part of their fitness routine with participation levels holding steady at 3.7 million in 2024.

Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist at Stanford University, told World Athletics that many people get a 'runner’s high’ — a short euphoric state which brings “peace of mind, a sense of power and confidence, optimism and hope”.

McGonigal said: “You will often hear runners describe feeling loving and connected to everyone and everything.”

I can’t say I’ve ever felt that, but who am I to yuck your yum.

Running with others. Why?

The pandemic running surge can be seen in the uptick in this year’s participation across the country’s major organised running events. This year’s Sydney and Gold Coast Marathons sold out months in advance, with organisers calling the demand for entries “unprecedented.”

Tomorrow, 90,000 people will run the City2Surf, a 14km course from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach, in what has been named the “world’s largest fun run”. In the race’s 53 years, 2024 is the first year the event has completely sold out.

Over 50,000 of registered participants will be taking part in the event for the first time this year, and 10% of all participants have indicated they’re a member of a run club. That’s around 9,000 Sydneysiders.

A City2Surf spokesperson told TDA that running has evolved beyond a solo activity. Much of the satisfaction now comes not just from the individual health benefits, but also the sense of community you get from running with others.

“As we’ve come out of the pandemic people are looking for meaningful connections to each other, and these groups and events provide a supportive environment where people can encourage and inspire each other and forge friendships.”

Run clubs

While running with a group of people isn’t exactly a new phenomenon, 2024 has seen an explosion in locally-organised run clubs popping up in most cities and suburbs around the world. Groups of varying size and abilities will meet at least once a week for a run, typically followed by a social hangout.

One of Sydney’s largest run clubs, Unofficial Run Club, began posting on Instagram in September of last year and has since amassed over 52,000 followers. It’s not just about running, either. The club’s website says “there’s something of a croissant component” — people gathering after the run for a coffee and a little hot suggestion at the end.

I spoke to Phoebe who joined Sydney’s Lesbian Run Club about four months ago after finding their page on Instagram. She told me the social connection fostered within the group is “the priority for most – if not all of us.”

“It’s so hard to meet people on [dating] apps and even more so when you’re a queer woman. [It’s] such a warm, supportive community. We’ve now expanded from just running to all kinds of social activities; including yoga, pottery, speed dating, gigs and the occasional bottomless brunch!”

The TL;DR

Ok, gotta run now (not literally, obviously), but to round out this lovely chat we’ve had – it seems the run club revolution is showing no signs of slowing down. For those of you chasing a runner’s high, a new circle of friends, or just an extra reason to eat pastries, it's quite clear run clubs are here to stay… and I'll have to join them afterwards for brunch. 

Good luck City2Surfers!

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