Running club romances

This year, running clubs stole the spotlight. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the impressive race times or an exciting new route, but with something rather unconventional: finding love. Dubbed as the ‘new dating app’ from The New York Times to fashion’s holy grail Vogue, post-Covid singles, in particular the Gen Zs, are trading dating apps for running club meetups to meet potential suitors (and proving once again to be more emotionally stable than Millennials).

For those that have embraced this new dating style are seeing it as a win-win situation; relieving the pressure of having to impress a date and getting a workout in. Healthy and mature! On the other hand, others argue that the thought of meeting your date, let alone a potential life partner for the first time while sweating uncontrollably, is possibly the most mortifying scenario. Fair point! However, between the two, both acknowledge the body’s reaction to physical exercise. When running, *real* chemistry — endorphin, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin — occurs. And with all these feel-good hormones pumping through the veins, very quickly, one could attest that the rest (of finding love) is history.

But rather than throwing around scientific hypotheses, we want facts! So, we hit the field to grill local running club runners if running clubs are truly a breeding ground for love.

“ I sort of consider myself a pioneer of running club romances ”

- Nacho

Lovebirds: Nacho & Sujin

After challenging our lovebirds with Will your love go the distance? compatibility challenge, we sat down to learn more about their romance…

Describe your dating style…

Nacho: Gentle pace and at the end, I’ll sprint.

Sujin: I’m the opposite.

Did you anticipate finding love at a running club?

N: I sort of consider myself a pioneer of running club romances: I joined a running club during Covid to find love before the current hype.

When or how would you flirt with someone you’re interested in?

S: The real chemistry happens after the run when everyone socialises over coffee. Not everyone is extraverted so it’s about the vibe during the run then having a place to be able to approach them afterwards.

N: It’s a little bit like speed dating, but in a very healthy way.

Was there a ‘run-in’ that turned into a romantic moment for you two?

N: I wanted to impress Sujin with Korean so I memorised this phrase “Iri wa (이리 와)” and kept repeating that to during a run…

S: In English, it means “come here”. It sounds a bit rude in Korean [laughs], so yeah, that was awkward. He was a ‘no’ at the time.

Why do you think running clubs are a good alternative to dating apps?

N: It has a component that’s very economical. You can do two things [running and dating] at the same time.

S: You already have a common interest and show that person can support you in living a healthier lifestyle. It’s easier to place social boundaries as well, which is hard when you meet someone through an app. It also doesn’t cost anything!

For gentle pace to sprints

Lovebirds: Seb & Cecile

After challenging our lovebirds with In sync or running out of breath? compatibility quiz, we sat down to learn more about their romance…

Which running club did you fall in love at?

Cecile: Midnight Runners

How did you know the other person was interested? Was there a ‘run-in’ that turned into a romantic moment?

C: It wasn’t a moment but I noticed little things like how he was being really nice to me and taking extra care of me. Small things like that.

Running clubs have been dubbed the new dating apps — it’s clearly worked for you two. Why do you think it’s an effective way of meeting someone romantically?

S: Post-Covid, I think people are really craving to go out again, be free — the movement of running is [symbolic] of ‘freedom’. So, I think running’s become a solution for people to get out, move, and literally move in the same direction together as a group. In this type of space, it’s easier to interact with others and connect on a deeper level than meeting someone you matched on the app.

Like dating, do you have a running ick? What is it?

C: Running can be a little bit elitist — people competing on their time and performance.

How would you describe your relationship or dating style?

C: Not one marathon, but a couple of marathons. It’s infinite.

S: Ultra marathon.

Fit for one or more marathons

Looking for love: Liv

Hopefully, Liv’s Am I your solemate? video shed some light on her love expectations, but we had more questions on her dating style…

So, you said you’re looking for love. What’s your dating style?

Liv: I’m usually a speedy person that wants high impact, then it becomes too much. I'm working on going for the long run.

Why look for it at a running club?

L: I’m looking for love within a community — people with shared interest and values. That’s why I run with Pace Berlin, a FLINTA* running club.

What do you think will be the biggest difference in meeting someone at a running club vs a dating app?

L: When you meet a match from an app, they don’t feel like they need to thank you for your time. I think, at running clubs, you feel more responsible for how you behave and interact with another person.

What’s your success rate so far?

L: Haha, not good! I have to commit to running first then build the courage to be direct.

How would you let the other person know that you’re interested?

L: Just talking while running — but you have to be strategic. You have to position yourself in the right spot so you can talk to the person that you like. You don’t want to end up at the corner!

Now that you’ve joined a running club to find love, would you ever jump back on the apps?

L: Yeah, I would. Who am I kidding!