Runners high on numbers
23 May 2025
Strava, running clubs, and race days are in, while nightclubs, well, not so much. This year’s 35th Riga Marathon saw a record-breaking 40,122 participants across various distances, making it the largest turnout in the event’s history.
And Riga isn't alone: Paris, Barcelona, and Copenhagen also reported new records this year. On 27 April, the London Marathon set a new world record with 56,640 finishers, eclipsing the previous mark in New York last year.
What’s driving this running boom? A powerful mix of community, health awareness, and social connection. For many, especially young adults navigating post-Covid uncertainties, unstable careers, relationships, and economic trends, marathon training offers structure, purpose, and belonging. Many people in their twenties find it tough to make new friends, so running clubs have become popular as a way to stay active and socialise at the same time.
For some Gen Z and millennials, running clubs have replaced nightclubs as a place to meet friends, share experiences, and get the feel-good endorphin rush. Fuelled by social media and a growing focus on mental and physical well-being, running has transformed from a solo sport into a powerful movement.
 | Kristiana Nitisa Take the Riga Run Club for example: what started as a small group of friends running together grew into a thriving community with over 200 weekly runners and thousands of online followers within weeks from its creation. In just a year they have had over 40 runs together, with new members joining constantly. They never aimed for marathons – just showing up for a morning run and having fun with friends. |
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