The Strava report 2024 has just landed and, as always, it contains some fascinating insights into the behaviour and preferences of runners across the world. This year, two main trends were prevalent: exercising as part of a community, and achieving balance.
Strava report 2024: Community is key
58% of users said they had made new friends through a fitness group in 2024, with an even higher 66% in the Gen Z generation bracket. For 48% of us, social connection is a top reason for joining a fitness group. Further to that, running club participation grew by 59% along with runs uploaded in a group of ten or more runners, which increased by 18%.
Running is where this sense of community really shone – it was the fastest-growing social sport on Strava this year. Women were also more likely to take advantage of this community; there was an 89% increase on the previous year in women joining run groups.
Love is in the air
Not only was running a top way to meet new friends, but it also helped some of us find love. Strava could be on the way to becoming the newest dating app judging by the one in five Gen Z-ers who have been on a date with someone they met via a fitness activity.
59% of people said they wanted to meet new people through a run club compared to 14% who said at a bar…
