Gen Z is outrunning millennials
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Mad Miles Run Club recently partnered with Charlotte FC for a Juneteenth Fun Run at Bank of America Stadium. Hundreds of people showed up. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Running is lapping other sports across fitness trackers, and Gen Z is setting the pace.
Why it matters: During a loneliness crisis and remote work era, running is one way to release stress and make new friends.
Between the lines: Young singles are also joining running clubs to find dates. Content creator Cindy Sandjo, 29, told The New York Times her followers said these groups "are the new dating apps."
By the numbers: 84% of Strava users tell the fitness tracker company their No. 1 reason for exercising is social connection.
- Gen Z is 29% more likely than millennials to work out with another person at least some of the time.
- Also, runners are 85% more likely to log a personal record when running in a group of two or more versus a solo run.
The bottom line: Whether you're Gen Z or not, there are lots of running groups that facilitate community and social connection. Check these out in Charlotte:
- Mad Miles Run Club meets Mondays at 6:30pm at Social Status, Tuesdays at 6:30pm at YVY Training and Saturdays at 10am at Elizabeth Park.
- In South End, take your pick from brewery run clubs at Wooden Robot (Tuesdays at 6:30pm), Sycamore (Wednesdays at 6:30pm) and Triple C (Thursdays at 6:30pm).
- Mattie's Diner near NoDa recently started a run club on Tuesdays at 6:30pm.
- In Dilworth, Charlotte's Morning Run Club meets at Backyard Brew on Thursdays at 6am.
Go deeper: runCLTrun has a list of local run clubs, check it out here.