Strava, gels, tinted sunglasses, french braids and Garmin watches. We girls have just started a running trend that is only getting more and more popular as we move into the summer months.
When Beyonce said ‘Who runs the world?’ I don’t think she was referring to my obsession with Strava and Saturday morning park runs, but this has to be my favourite trend yet as we gather for pastries and coffee after a couple of miles of gossip and laughter.
I started to lose hope with sports in my teenage years as the girls in PE didn’t want to participate. It wasn’t cool to break a sweat, and everyone hated themselves in sports leggings, and I felt that too.
Granted, it isn’t the most attractive look to be wearing your older sister’s gym shorts and trainers that have never been washed, but girls really had a hard time getting involved in sports without feeling a little on the outside of what was then a trend to do GCSE art, drama or textiles.
As a kid, I had to drive to the one club in the area to be able to run with my people, but all of a sudden, my people are everywhere and I’m happy to be here- finally.
I saw the boys bonding over all the team sports like rugby and football but when I was running, I didn’t feel that bond.
Of course, when you’re in school the environment is the most hostile thing I’ve ever felt, with judgments flying around, and people having their lovely and innocent personalities beat out of them until their passions are unrecognisable.
But look, we are in our 20s and I feel like I’ve made a comeback, and so has my flare for running, which I have been desperately attempting to cling to for the best part of a decade.
Running can be a lonely sport as you cling to your sanity, especially for me growing up as a 200m runner, my dad used to joke that I got a nosebleed from anything longer than a lap of that track, but seriously, it’s hard to keep pushing on without a team of people having your back.
Mental health Counsellor, Kristie Tse, acknowledged the benefits to one’s self-development that women in their 20s seek out more than any other age.
“Participating in running groups and races doesn’t just improve fitness; it cultivates resilience, discipline, and a sense of community. These experiences shape personal growth, teaching valuable life skills like goal-setting, time management, and perseverance,” she says.
That’s the loophole with individual sports and why I’m so (pleasantly) surprised at the bonding experience so many girls are going through right now with weekend running groups.
But this new trend of running with your besties and convincing the girls that would never dare to jog in public, now sign up to the Manchester 10k and wear that tape I haven’t figured out the purpose of is so liberating, as is the team atmosphere I’ve been craving for so long.
Natalie Rosado, mental health expert for the world-leading self-care app for women, reflected on the reasons why so many women in their 20s have jumped on this running trend.
“Joining a running group can provide a sense of community and support, helping young women to stay motivated and achieve their fitness goals while enhancing their mental well-being.
“Participating in 10ks and half marathons not only promotes physical health but also fosters a strong sense of accomplishment and empowerment for young women,” she says.
She also added that the power of social media ‘should not be underestimated’.
Natalie added: “Fitness influencers and running communities on platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase personal achievements, training routines, and the joy of running, inspiring other women to participate.
“The visibility of diverse body types and abilities in these spaces also makes running more accessible and appealing.”
As I see more girls wearing these gorgeous LuluLemon sets, wearing Apple headphones and Solomon backpacks whilst spontaneously training for a marathon, it makes it look effortless, and I’m seeing it as something to strive for.
But this new trend of half marathon girls and 10k goals has brought my love back to life and I think we have TikTok trends to thank for it.
Seriously, I think girls and running groups may be the best combo yet.
Expert insight: Kristen Tse
Kristen is a mental health counsellor based in New York, working specifically with women in their formative 20s.
Expert insight: Natalie Rosado
Natalie is a mental health expert, with 15 years experience. She is now working at the leading self-care app for women, ‘Sanity & Self-care’, based in Tampa, Florida
