Training partners make a difference.
What’s happening: Ahead of the 2025 London Marathon, Strava analyzed data from last year’s race, revealing how social training impacts performance.
Among 2024 finishers, only 29% of social runners “bonked”—the infamous point of energy depletion—in the final 10K, compared to 45% of those who trained alone.
Boosted. Social fitness isn’t just fun — it’s a performance enhancer, improving physical endurance and mental resilience.
Beyond marathons, Strava found group runs, rides, and hikes go 40% longer than solo efforts, with participants citing stronger performance and accountability from squading up.
Run wild. More evidence of running’s boom, Strava says marathon uploads have risen 14% over the past five years, while half marathons grew 28%. Leading the cultural renaissance, Gen Z women are the biggest joiners, with an 89% jump in run club participation.
Punchline: Whether it’s motivation, accountability, or shared suffering, social training offers an edge. As marathoning surges and run clubs take off, sticking together means finishing stronger.
