I’ll never forget the night a friend called me boring for choosing to leave a party early. We were in sixth form, and I had a running session early the next morning. I remember being mortified that my hobby placed me so far outside the social scene. Looking back now, that’s laughable, considering that Saturday morning run clubs have, in many cases, replaced bars and clubs as the place to be seen.
Yes, running really has hit the mainstream, largely driven by the way Gen Z has adopted it online. According to a 2026 report by SportsShoes, 43% of 18-28-year-olds want to run more frequently this year, whilst energy gels, carbon-plated shoes and hydration vests - formerly the prerogative of elite athletes - have all had the it-girl treatment. The result? A transformation of running from a niche, slightly nerdy fitness activity into an entire lifestyle aesthetic that identifies us in friendships, dating pools and on social media.
