The Rise of Run Clubs

PHOTO: Supplied by Ugly Boys

Running. You love it or you hate it.

Stepping outside, braving the elements, pushing your body to the limit. It’s pretty easy to understand why some take to it more than others.

However, it seems in recent years a lot more people are taking up running and joining run clubs, but why?

Scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, you name it - you’re bound to see a video of someone running in a run club, decked out in fancy gear, trotting along, talking about Strava and their favourite type of coffee.

As a whole, the internet seems to be on a bit of a health kick at the moment, and it feels like everyone has suddenly become a runner and joined a run club.

In fact, UC has its very own run club, Ugly Boys.

Ugly Boys Run Club is associated with Lads Without Labels, the mental health charity running out of UC.

Ugly Boys coordinator Connor Cunningham said the idea around Ugly Boys Run Club is to encourage mental and physical well-being.

“The idea is to build a sense of community and brothership, through running together, training together, and just trying to destigmatise that chat around men’s mental health.”

“Obviously the fitness aspect of running is massive, but also the mental health benefits and the impact of just getting out and having some sun on the skin, fresh air and getting the endorphins going really boosts people.”

For many, running is a huge tool to help maintain their physical and mental well-being, with its accessibility being a massive factor.

The COVID-19 pandemic is seen by many as the primary driver behind running’s recent boom in popularity.

While most things during the pandemic suffered, running was one of the few things that thrived.

With gyms and organised sports all cancelled, running became people’s way to remain active during the uncertain times.

In the wake of the world slowly going back to ‘normal’, many people have continued to run, with marathon registration numbers going up across the world following lockdown. Statistics from the Great Run Series in the United Kingdom show a 39% increase in participation numbers in 2024.

With the new wave in popularity and people being able to gather in groups again, run clubs began taking form across the globe, including back home in Aotearoa.

PHOTO: Supplied by Social Striders

Friends Katrina and Georgia started their run club Social Striders just a few years ago and have grown the club into one of the biggest in the country.

Social Striders holds meets every week, ranging from of walks up the Rāpaki track to jogs around Hagley Park, followed by grabbing some food and drink afterwards to connect members.

The pair initially felt Christchurch needed a welcoming space for runners to connect and build relationships in, which ultimately led them to start Social Striders.

“A big part of starting it for us was social connection. As a society nowadays we’re always on our phones and you don’t really get that thing of going up to people and just saying hi, especially in Christchurch.”

“The running trend really kicked off right when we started so it was really good timing for us,” they said.

Despite being less than two years old, Social Striders has amassed over 10 thousand followers on Instagram and has also expanded to hold events in Dunedin.

Both Katrina and Georgia emphasise all levels of runners are welcome, and you can even “come for a walk and a yarn”.

Inclusivity, physical and mental health benefits are all at the forefront of why people are joining run clubs.

In a time where people feel more disconnected than ever, run clubs offer an opportunity for people to connect and take all aspects of their health seriously.

With so many trends coming and going, it looks like running and run clubs are here to stay.