"Are Run Clubs the New 'Third Place'?"

LOS ANGELES – The weather is perfect. Taylor Contarino and fellow runners from all over Los Angeles have gathered in hopes of building the best “summer body.” 

Runners of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds come together every Friday evening in the West Adams District. Some are here to shed pounds, others to chase a personal best, but many of the runners like Taylor, come for something less tangible: connection. 

A WalkGood LA run club member, Contarino, 23, is part of a movement that has taken social media by storm. Across TikTok and Instagram, men and women alike are taking to the streets hoping to begin or accelerate their fitness journeys. However, recently these run clubs have taken on a different purpose. For Contarino, they provided a sense of community. 

“I wanted to find people like me who also loved running,” Contarino said, adding “I was lonely at the time and it provided a sense of community that I was missing from my life,” said Contarino.

Run clubs, however, are hardly a new phenomenon. Organized group running dates back to the early 20th century with the formation of clubs like the New York Road Runners in the 1950s, which aimed to bring the discipline of running to a wider audience. 

Historically, these clubs catered to competitive athletes or marathon hopefuls, but the late 20th century saw a cultural shift. Running became a social and recreational activity, popularized further by the jogging craze of the 1970s and early 1980s. Now, in a post-pandemic world, run clubs have evolved again—this time focusing as much on connection and inclusivity as on fitness itself.

After COVID-19, many people were left wanting. Wanting a way to stay in shape as gyms were closed. Wanting a way to stay connected because everyone was in quarantine. Run clubs provided an alternative for both. They were outside, in the open air allowing for participants to socialize, get in shape,e and still manage to stay safe. In a study conducted by Stridetribe.com, outdoor running miles increased by 34% after 2020, when the shift had begun. 

So, as people began to take their fitness journeys outside, organizers and companies took notice. Strava, an app created for runners to track their pace and progress, saw a 73% increase in globally logged activities from 2019 to 2020. Organizers like Kelvon Yancey, the creator of ZFT Run Club in Houston, Texas, founded his run club in hopes of creating a space for black runners to connect. 

As outdoor running surged in popularity, the movement evolved beyond individual fitness goals and became a platform for inclusivity and representation. Yancey’s ZFT Run Club quickly grew from a small circle of friends to a thriving community, uniting runners who had often felt excluded from mainstream fitness spaces. 

Similar stories echoed across the country, organizers turning sidewalks and trails into places where culture, camaraderie, and fitness collided. For many, these clubs became more than just a weekly meetup; they were a reminder that every step taken together made the journey feel lighter.

Charles Carter, a member of the ZFT Run Club, couldn’t help but chuckle as he shared a common observation: “It’s all under the guise of ‘fitness,’ but I’m sure some people could come out looking for a romantic partner.”

And Carter is not wrong. CBS News released an article about how singles in Chicago began moving away from dating apps and joining run clubs. It makes sense. Run clubs offer a space to meet in person and possibly establish a connection with someone who enjoys fitness at some level and is within the same age bracket.

Run clubs allow meaningful relationships, romantic or platonic, to be built beyond fitness. True bonds begin to form as runners take on the course together, cheer each other on, and witness one another's continued progress toward their goals. Carter, who is a mental health professional, remarked that he often saw coworkers at these events, forming deeper relationships outside of the office.

For Carter, Cantarino, and many others, it’s not just about crossing a finish line but about building a community that supports each step of the journey. They have sparked a light within the fitness community that allows everyone to feel welcome and accepted. With many run clubs being free of charge, participants no longer have to worry about being priced out of reaching their physical goals.

The question now is, will run clubs maintain this level of success? Will there be another fitness craze that takes social media by storm? 

Though the answer to that question may yet be unclear, what seems clear is that run clubs have tapped into something lasting—an inclusive community where fitness and connection go hand in hand. As more people look to find balance in their lives, these clubs continue to offer not just a chance to get fit, but an opportunity to belong. Contarino encourages anyone looking to take the same leap to find a safe place to get fit and meet others, “It’s such a great atmosphere, they’re so welcoming, I think everyone should at least give it a shot.”