Are Running Clubs the New Dating Apps?
What’s the appeal of running clubs these days? It seems like every cool person you know is running, and trendy coffee shops and businesses launch their own clubs left and right.
Is this one of the inevitable steps of the life crisis everyone is talking about? Or is there something more to it?
In this day and age when everyone is chronically online and building a genuine connection is harder than ever, running clubs represent a long-forgotten paradise, a land free of technology and push notifications.
When you join a running club, you get to move your body, tone up, focus on the moment, and... find love?
Running and dating – better together?
Large groups of strangers with new members circling in and out are perfect breeding grounds for feelings and affections.
Runners share goals of achieving fitness and wellness targets, and they work along each other to reach them. This creates a unique connection and helps people bond. Now imagine a bunch of hot single men and women are doing it a few times every week. Fancying each other is only a matter of time.
While you might not immediately think of dating when considering joining a running club, it actually makes a lot of sense!
Unlike intentional dating, meeting through running clubs is laid-back and low-pressure. It’s only natural to exchange names and initiate small talk during the run. If the chat is not working out, no problem! You can simply run in silence and/or move on to talking to someone else.
There is a shared activity everyone’s busy with, so it’s not as awkward to approach someone and introduce yourself.
Also, you’re all running together, creating a shared experience and memories from the start. As this is also a healthy activity, the bond you create is positive, and the acquaintances you meet only leave a good impression.
Last but not least, you get to meet like-minded people with similar values. You’re not going to agree on every single thing with every runner in your club, but at least you both find fitness and exercising important, and you’re ready to commit to continuous training. That’s already something!
Tips to Meeting People and Falling in Love in Running Clubs
Sometimes simply joining a running club is enough, and everything else falls into place on its own. But sometimes it takes a bit more effort than that.
Here are the tried-and-tested tips and tricks that you can use to meet someone cute during your next communal run.
- The pace matters. Join clubs that run at a comfortable pace for you, so it can be a fun experience where you have the energy to chat and flirt.
- Choose the club you vibe with. Pace is not the only thing to watch out for. Clubs these days have their own positioning just like brands do. They signal what they value and what is not tolerated, and they usually show off what joining them will be like, so pay attention to details, such as the wording they use, visuals they create on social media, and the causes they vouch for.
- Pick routes that you will enjoy. For example, opt for runs in the park rather than urban jogs with lots of noise and traffic.
- Partake in organized marathons and mini-races that your running club participates in. These can be super good for bonding and getting to know each other better, especially if they’re out of your city.
- Join other social events hosted by the running club, such as birthday celebrations and post-run coffee breaks.
- Be consistent. Don’t just come once a month and hope for the best. Make it a goal to show up regularly. This way you’ll not only get fitter and will feel better, but you’ll also become more familiar with other members and deeper trust will be built.
- Volunteer to help out with activities, such as showing up earlier to help set up for a post-run picnic, cooking something for the runners, or anything else where help might be required. You’ll put the spotlight on yourself, helping more people learn about you and, potentially, fall in love with you. And you’ll feel more fulfilled too, so it’s a win-win.
Finally, don’t forget to be authentic and patient. As much as you’d love to become everyone’s favorite instantly, it’s better not to rush building rapport and getting to know everyone. If you let the relationships develop naturally, you’ll have much better chances of becoming friends with people you truly vibe with.
Are Dating Apps over Now that We Have Running Clubs?
Not exactly.
Dating apps and modern running clubs are both helping singles meet, chat, start romances, and find life-long partners.
But they do it differently.
If we take dating apps, for instance, they provide a unique platform for matching with tens of people at a time, and scrolling through hundreds, if not more, in one sitting. You get to meet people from all over the world, and put yourself out there without actually leaving the comfort and safety of your home.
Running clubs are also exposing you to a bunch of new people all at once, but they do it in real life. Plus, you all share love for (or, at least, interest in) running which gives you a sense of belonging to a community and makes getting to know everyone slightly easier.
The best approach would be to utilize both running clubs and dating apps. This will give you a versatile experience with modern dating and boost your chances of finding someone special.
Once Upon A Run: Schedule of Group Runs with Once
Speaking of combining the two, we are happy to announce that Once is hosting a series of running events this February, March, and April called Once Upon a Run.
We'll run, we'll mingle, and let's see what happens!
When the run is over, we’ll share a complimentary post-run coffee if it’s a morning run or a drink at the bar in the evening. Brooks will be joining us to boost half of these runs with demo shoes and raffle prizes too! All runs are free and open to all running abilities.
Here is the schedule, so mark your calendars!
FEBRUARY
Thurs, Feb 6: Powell CRC's Nocterra Pub Run (~ 3-mile run at 6:15 pm at 141 Greenside Street in Powell)
Sat, Feb 8: Westerville CRC Run with Brooks (Choose any distance at 8 am at 50 N State Street in Westerville)
Tue, Feb 11: Combustion Brewing Clintonville Pub Run (~ 3-mile run at 6:30 pm at 2971 N High Street in Columbus)
Thurs, Feb 13: South Side Running Club with Brooks (~ 3-mile run at 6 pm at 625 Parsons Ave in Columbus)
MARCH
Sat, Mar 8: Dublin CRC Run with Brooks (Choose any distance at 8 am at 6465 Perimeter Drive in Dublin)
Tue, Mar 11: Combustion Brewing Pickerington Pub Run (~ 3-mile run at 6:30 pm at 80 W Church Street in Pickerington)
Wed, Mar 12: Grove City CRC Pub Run with Brooks (~ 3-mile run at 6:15 pm at 3990 Broadway in Grove City)
Sat, Mar 15: Short North CRC Run (Choose any distance at 8am at 765 N High Street in Columbus)
APRIL
Tue, Apr 8: Combustion Brewing Clintonville Pub Run ( ~3-mile run at 6:30 pm at 2971 N High Street in Columbus)
Sat, Apr 12: Short North CRC Run with Brooks (Choose any distance at 8 am at 765 N High Street in Columbus)
Mon, Apr 14: German Village Running Club with Brooks (~ 3-mile run at 5:45 pm at S. 6th and Sycamore in Columbus)
Tue, Apr 15: Easton Running Club (~ 3-mile run at 6:15 pm at 4117 Worth Ave in Columbus)
Are you coming? See you there!
