Why are so many Gen Z people closing social media apps and meeting for an early run instead? Recent data suggests this shift is real, not just a short trend. Strava’s 2025 Year in Sport report says Gen Z is moving away from passive scrolling and toward real-world activity. More than half of Gen Z said they planned to use Strava more in 2026, while most expected to use Instagram and TikTok the same amount or less. On Strava, new clubs nearly quadrupled in 2025, and running clubs grew 3.5 times. The company’s 2024 report had already shown a 59% global rise in running-club participation. (press.strava.com)
The biggest reason seems to be connection. Eventbrite’s 2025 study found that 95% of people aged 18 to 35 were interested in exploring their online interests through in-person events, and 84% of attendees at interest-based gatherings said they had built close friendships there. Strava found a similar pattern in fitness: making social connections became a leading reason to exercise, 58% of respondents said they made new friends through fitness groups, and activities done with groups of more than 10 people lasted 40% longer on average than solo workouts. In other words, a running club is not only exercise. It is also a place to talk, laugh, and feel that you belong. (investor.eventbrite.com)
Running is also a good match for modern life. It is simple to start, easy to share with others, and flexible enough for busy students and workers. Strava says running remained the top sport on its platform in 2025, and Gen Z was 75% more likely than Gen X to say a race or event was their main reason for exercising. The wider running world is growing too: RunSignup’s 2025 Race Trends Report, based on more than 97,000 events and 12.2 million registrations, found average race participation grew 5% from 2024, while Running USA’s 2025 Global Runner Survey collected more than 12,700 responses worldwide. For many young people, then, the appeal is clear: less scrolling, more movement, and a stronger sense of community. (press.strava.com)










