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The third running boom: more social, more feminine, more visible

Informal clubs, social networks and the search for community are changing the sport far beyond the stopwatch.

The third running boom: more social, more feminine, more visible
Image credit: Phillip Flores / Unsplash — groupe de coureurs à Sydney

Running is experiencing a new wave of popularity driven by a generation that discovers sport through social networks, but comes looking for very tangible connections.

From sports club to crew

A report by The Guardian describes groups that are more informal than traditional clubs, often free, welcoming runners of different abilities and extending the run with a coffee or a collective moment.

A practice that is diversifying

The article also points to a rise in women’s participation and a broader community offering. Performance is still there, but it now shares the spotlight with belonging, style and mental well-being.

Original publicationThe Guardian • summary and context by 7RUN
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