Running is now more than just a form of physical exercise for many Gen Zers – it’s a way to make friends, destress, and everything else in between. Whether it’s training for a marathon or joining a local run club, young people are finding solace in keeping their bodies moving.

But what is it about running that makes it such a hot ticket activity for Gen Zers?

First off, it’s an affordable way to achieve a goal. At a time when the goalposts around achieving traditional life milestones keep moving, training for a race can be a means of reaching something tangible.

Running also does not require much investment in equipment or gym memberships, so it’s an immediately accessible activity – grab a pair of sneakers and you’re good to go.

In their search for something they can control on their own terms, Gen Z has contributed to a spike in marathon attendees, with the New York City Marathon noting a 21% jump in runners in their 20s between 2019 and 2023.

And according to the fitness app Strava, they’re also the generation most likely to exercise in the pursuit of athletic performance instead of just for health.

There’s also a crucially social component to running.

Facing all-time highs of isolation and loneliness exacerbated by perpetually-online lives, Gen Z is finding ways to break out of their silos and connect with one another. In fact, 84% of Strava athletes say that communal and solo exercise helps them combat feelings of loneliness.

Beyond marathon training, run clubs have become hotspots for socialising. Groups like City Girls Who Walk were some of the first iterations of the now wide array of clubs available, encouraging women to get to know new people in their cities while moving together.

Since run clubs are flexible to people’s various paces and bring together a wide range of individuals, they are a way to build community with not just people in local areas but also with those who share similar interests.

Often, runners start or end their runs at a local coffee shop or restaurant, leading to more space to chat as well as nurturing relationships with local businesses.

Intersecting with dating app fatigue and Gen Z’s search for more meaningful in-person connections, run clubs have even become a way for people to find love. Breaking through the superficiality of curated profiles and creating inadvertent intimacy by sweating together, young people are drawn into the idea of finding romance while running.

Taking note of the romantic possibilities between runners, some clubs have even taken to more comprehensive pre-run introductions as members continue to find partners as they participate in group running activities.

Gen Zers are finding ways to make do with the cards that have been dealt to them, from inheriting economic instability to ongoing environmental and political tension. Running, whether to find a sense of purpose or community, is yet another way young people are dealing with their quarter-life crisis by turning to marathon mania and redefining social relationships on their terms.