A city in stride: the rise of run clubs in Vancouver
On any given morning in Vancouver, the city’s seawall pulses with energy. Runners make their way around Stanley Park and along the False Creek inlet, moving as one through the misty air and mountain backdrops.
As they head further towards the downtown core, they pass another group of runners coming from the opposite direction, exchanging quick nods or winded “good mornings” in a ritual of mutual recognition.
Scenes like these have become more common in recent years as the city’s popular running paths are more crowded than ever with solo joggers and run clubs alike.
In a city that’s historically been known for its active spirit, Vancouver’s run culture in 2025 is thriving. With new faces lacing up to tackle old routes and run clubs popping up in neighborhoods all over, this activity is transforming into a defining aspect of Vancouver’s identity.
Thanks to recent online trends, the sport of running has never been more popular than it is today. But beyond social media influence, new runners are sticking with the sport as it provides them with a genuine social connection that has seemingly become lost in today’s digital age.
What's behind the rise?
A jogger runs down the Serpentine Greenway in Surrey, B.C.
The rise of run clubs and social running in Vancouver reflects a growing global trend. Digital platforms such as Strava, Instagram and Tik Tok have helped reshape the individualistic perception of running into a sport with a strong sense of community.
What used to be known as a solitary sport has now evolved into a shared ritual driven by run clubs, group training, and post-workout coldbrews. Data from the popular running app, Strava, indicated that 58% of users made a friend at a run club, and also saw a 9% increase in marathons and ultramarathons logged in 2024.
The shift in public perception isn’t about who is running, but rather what running means. For many, running is a way to both meet new people and spend time with friends in a low-cost and low barrier environment.
What has been primarily driving this trend is a motivation for genuine social connection. Strava’s user survey found that 1 in 5 of their Gen Z users went on a date with someone they made through exercise.
Vancouver in particular has emerged as a hub for run clubs and activity groups. According to one website, more than 47 running group meetups are regularly scheduled across the city
Across cities like Vancouver, run clubs are popping up around every type of runner. More than just fitness clubs, run clubs serve as social hubs that foster friendship and accountability.
As the run club culture continues to spread, the perception of the sport becomes less about competition and more about community. This shift is making running more approachable for all, and growing awareness of the sport’s physical and mental health benefits.
Why this matters
The benefits of running regularly extend beyond just physical fitness. Experts suggest that even just a few minutes on the road can reduce stress and anxiety, transform mood, and even add years of life expectancy. One study has shown that runners live about three-years longer than non-runners.
Connecting with like-minded individuals through a shared interest can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when it involves movement and routine. This is supported by a survey by Glasgow Caledonian University which revealed that 89% of runners reported increased happiness, attributing it to social interaction and community.
The elusive “runner’s high” that many joggers are chasing is actually a feeling that is rooted in science.
It has been shown that running stimulates the release of endocannabinoids, which are biochemical substances naturally produced by the body. These chemicals have a similar effect on the body as cannabis, such as reduced stress, pain relief and mild euphoria.
Beyond the science, many runners simply find meditative qualities in the routine of regular movement, where thoughts become more clear with each stride. For many, running is a tool to manage mental health.
As running becomes a more social activity, these benefits are heightened. The encouragement and camaraderie offered by a group turns a solo workout into a shared experience with lasting impact.
But with more participants than ever, a new reality of running races and events is taking form in Vancouver and cities across the world.
The new landscape of racing
While recent social media trends are inspiring more to be active and healthy, the sport is also experiencing growing pains as a result of its newfound popularity.
Running races have gone through a successful re-branding campaign, whether intentional or not. Races are no longer viewed as strictly for the ultra-competitive or hyper elite, but rather just an extension of running’s newfound community culture.
Run clubs have helped lower the barrier for entry, encouraging people to sign up who may have once felt intimated by race culture. These groups typically make the experience of training and racing feel more approachable.
However, the recent surge of new participants does not come without controversy. Races and events that once used to be open to all, have now had to make their entry requirements more competitive to prevent overcrowding on the course.
Now, things such as hard participant limits and random drawing for entry have become a common practice.
This year’s BMO Vancouver Marathon had a record-breaking 25,000 participants from 60 different countries, resulting in early sellouts across all distances. Registration for the 2024 marathon and half marathon was up 10% from the year prior.
Even races that were already competitive to enter and required qualifying times are updating their standards to be even faster as a result of the recent growth of running.
For the upcoming 2026 Boston Marathon, qualifying times were lowered by five minutes across all age groups under 60 in a direct response to the recent surge in applications. Last year, 36,406 runners applied for only 22,000 spots in the historic race.
The historic Berlin Marathon also made a similar decision in 2024, where qualifying times were reduced by several minutes across multiple age groups to manage the high demand of applicants. That year on the 50th anniversary of the race, over 54,000 runners crossed the finish line, an all-time high.
Entry fees into races have also risen, driven by broader economic factors as well as increased demand and limited race capacity. With operational costs like insurance and site fees, as well as the rise in demand, average 5K race entry fees have increased by 11% since 2019.
While the surge in popularity of running as an activity is caused by breaking down barriers to make the sport more inclusive, this same surge is ironically leading to inaccessibility in running events. As the sport continues to grow, there is hope that race organizers will add infrastructure and develop new strategies to accommodate this influx.
Running into the future
As the sun sets over English Bay, groups of runners continue to work their way through Vancouver’s sidewalks and paths.
This time, it is the groups who have met up after their work or school day to chase both fitness and sunsets. Some are training for races months in advance, while others are simply looking to unwind after their day. With daylight fading and the street lights flickering on, Vancouver’s vibrant and diverse running community continues to flourish.
With the sport continuing to grow, largely due to social media trends, more growing pains will be experienced. This means that for some, they will not be able to get entry into their ideal race, even if it’s in their home city.
Expect races to become even more competitive and costly in the future. You can also expect to see expanded capacity at some races whenever possible, as event organizers try to manage the increase in demand. While growing pains are inevitable, they can be managed with expanded infrastructure and a continued focus of inclusivity.
The overall growth of running in Vancouver reflects a growing global trend, where people are searching for community and belonging in a fast-paced world, and making healthy choices for their future.
The perception of running and racing is continuing to change from one of an elite and exclusive activity, to a shared experience that prioritises community and friends, more than split times and personal records. Whether you’re chasing a podium finish or just simply looking to clear your head after a long day, there’s space on the path for everyone.
Perhaps the most significant part of this movement is that in a time marked by division and noise, the simple act of running is bringing people close to themselves and each other. Each stride forward serves as a silent act of unity in an increasingly tense world.
With runners continuing to train well into the dark, it is clear that Vancouver’s booming running culture is shaping not only stronger runners, but stronger communities.