I initially thought it was the algorithm feeding me running club content. As someone who follows a lot of fitness content, I’m used to seeing lots of social media trends. Lori Harvey’s abs saw a spike in many women wanting to become a pilates babe. The ‘what I eat in a day’ reels are still popular amongst many fitness influencers. Now, 2024 summer is giving a hard launch to the run club, the new ‘it’ way to get fit. So why are they now the workout that’s getting everyone’s pulses racing?

Running clubs are traditionally community hubs where you can register to run alongside a group of other runners. It is great if you don’t want to run alone and also perfect your running technique. I joined a running club back in 2016 when I decided to train for the London Marathon. I needed to learn how to build up long distance running from experts who had been there and done that.

Back then, there was nothing social media savvy about it, your phone stayed in your running bag alongside your liquid gels and jelly babies (long distance runners know what I’m talking about). Run clubs also provide company, camaraderie, and accountability, particularly during winter runs and dark nights.