The social benefits of running

Accountability

Running can be hard. But being part of a group gives you a whole support network to lean on when things get particularly difficult. By running solo, you’re only really showing up for yourself. This makes it much easier to make excuses for why you can’t go for a run – especially in the beginning, when you’re still building up that habit. After all, we’ve all heard the phrase: “Showing up is half the battle.”

However, by joining a run club you’ll be showing up for other people and will have a dedicated schedule to stick to, even if it just once a week. And, by simply showing up and seeing other people motivated and ready to run, you can capitalise on that energy and use it to help you run further and faster than you would if you were running solo.

This also allows you to stick to your training plan – if you have one – and can encourage you to push yourself further and beat any personal best times. This can even help you beat any running plateau’s, as you’ll be encouraged to keep up with the rest of the group.

New routes and running inspiration

Running with new people can introduce you to new routes you’ve never run through before. If you’re running as part of a run club, they may have dedicated routes they follow, depending on the area and the weather. For example, during sunnier days and if you’re near a wooded area, nature trail, or forest, you could run through these spaces to soak up the nature while you’re getting fitter.

Your running peers may even help you with your running form, showing you better and more efficient ways to run. This could include helping you with any pre-run stretches or allowing you build your running endurance over time.

Improve your mental health

Running has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health, from releasing serotonin and endorphins to improving your quality of sleep. However, running in a group brings the social benefits with it too. Meeting new people can help you enhance your social circle and make friends through your shared love of running.

Running with other people can also bring about a sense of belonging and camaraderie, creating a strong social bond and support network that you may not find with other social groups. These new friendships can give you a boost in self-esteem, reduce any feelings of loneliness, and generate feelings of happiness. Partnered with the serotonin and endorphins you already gain from running, and you’ve got the secret to feeling good.

Social running for social impact

By joining a local run club, you can help the wider community. It creates a positive community hub full of runners and can even get their friends and families involved. Or even colleagues, if you’re joining a work run club. Cheering the runners on during lengthier sprints can help bring the wider community together, creating a social hub.

You can even help local charities by hosting a sponsored run club, for each member to gather their own sponsorships from friends, families, and colleagues. Or, you could help the local community through the latest fitness trend, known as ‘plogging’ – which combines jogging with litter picking.

Regardless of how you to choose to get involved, social running brings a variety of benefits. Whether you’re simply looking to improve your health and fitness or looking for a way to benefit the local community, there are many social positives to getting your steps in.