Here is a surprising number from London. More than 1,133,000 people applied in the public ballot for the 2026 TCS London Marathon. That is a new world record. It is 36 percent higher than the previous record for the 2025 race. The race itself is set for April 26, 2026. Most applications came from the UK, but more than 264,000 came from outside the country too. London Marathon Events says this shows that London is now the most popular marathon in the world. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk)
So, why are running clubs growing now? One big reason is social connection. Strava’s 2024 trend report said running club participation rose 59 percent globally, and many people said making social connections was their main reason to exercise. Strava also found that 58 percent of people in fitness groups made new friends there. In its 2025 report, Strava said new clubs on the platform nearly quadrupled in one year, and running clubs grew 3.5 times. In other words, people are not only running for fitness. They are running to meet people and feel part of a group. (press.strava.com)
There is also strong demand in England. Sport England reported that running numbers in England rose by 349,000 in the year to mid-November 2024, reaching about 6.5 million adults. Women were a big part of that rise. At the same time, England Athletics said membership grew to 177,441 in 2024 and 2025, and the number of affiliated clubs and member bodies also increased. Groups like RunTogether may help explain this. They offer fun, friendly, safe, and inclusive running for different ages and abilities. So the boom is not just about racing. It is about community, support, and a simple sport that almost anyone can start. (sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com)










