Whether as a way to attain a healthy lifestyle, hang out with friends, or a mix of both and then some, running is where it’s at for Gen Z.
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The newest trend taking over Gen Z feeds can’t be found on the TikTok FYP or the trending tab of X. Instead, you simply have to go to the sidewalks to see that young people have taken up running. Some do it as a sport and train for marathons, others take it on as a way to build a healthy lifestyle. But regardless of the reason, running is what you’ll find a lot of Gen Z doing these days.
Chances are, you have a friend or two, or several, who post their runs on their IG stories through the Strava app. Even Gen Z superstars BINI held a fun run that attracted thousands of participants. So, why is running suddenly everyone’s favorite new hobby? While there’s no one answer for it, it does point to a lifestyle shift for Gen Z who yearn for purpose, community, and escape post-pandemic and at a time of uncertainty in the world.
IN MY RUNNING ERA
Unlike most sports, running doesn’t require a certain field, location, or equipment to do it. The hobby doesn’t gatekeep itself with its low barrier for entry, and it’s mostly free. You can take part in it for whatever reasons you want. Take Hale Pascua for example, a 24-year-old software engineer and casual runner, who said that he got into running just before starting college because he wanted to keep fit. “I started getting more health-conscious and decided to run 3 times a week that summer. Over time I lost weight and kept running as a habit to keep myself fit and also to reset my mind whenever I need it,” he tells NYLON Manila.
INSTAGRAM/THEGIOACOSTA
For Gio Acosta, a Gen Z fitness and running content creator, he got into the sport back in May 2023 mainly because he had nothing to do at home. “It’s a very low maintenance sport so parang why not try running, diba,” says the influencer in an interview with NYLON Manila. It doesn’t take much to get into running, both in terms of skills needed and gear on hand. And while some splurge on the newest shoes, earbuds, and fitness watches, that isn’t a requirement to join.
“You can always find ways for more affordable options kesa sa mga sikat na options,” says Gio. Adds Hale, “I love the simplicity of running. It’s something that we do a lot in our lives and everyone knows, so it’s easy to get into. Because of that, it’s also one of the most accessible ways to get some exercise.” The affordability, especially when we’re currently going through a cost-of-living crisis, makes running an appealing pastime for Gen Z who are still securing their finances.
STAY THRIVING
When we think of sports, it usually entails sweating, getting tired, and being in high-adrenaline situations. And while that holds true in some cases when it comes to running, the hobby also opens itself to people looking for different things. You can approach it as a leisure activity or as a full-time sport, but you are still participating in it, and, at the end of the day, it affects you both physically and mentally. You aren’t just getting in your cardio for the day, but also giving yourself space to clear your mind.
“My mind clears itself up as I take in the scenery and the air, but at the same time, my legs just keep moving like they’re on autopilot. Eventually, there’s a point where the run just feels peaceful and my thoughts just fade away,” explains Hale. It’s a relaxing sport that engages multiple parts of your mind and body. “When you run alone, you have time to think talaga. It’s comparable to having a long drive na mag-isa ka lang. Puwede ka mag-isip, mag-reflect sa past week mo,” says Gio.
INSTAGRAM/KYLEECHARRI
More importantly, the very nature of running as a regular hobby means you build a healthy lifestyle for yourself to keep up. It’s an avenue to decompress after a stressful day at work or school or just to get your mind off things. This then cascades into your life choices as you build better habits for yourself, such as having regular exercise, practicing time management, and establishing a proper sleep schedule to be more well-rested.
It’s something Gio has experienced firsthand with how he feels that running has helped him have a better work-life balance. “Kahit anong reason mo to run, okay lang yun. Kesa naman we’re spending our weekend out partying, na shift yung energy namin to running.” All this to say, you can consider running as a way to take care of your physical and mental health as long as you do it right. And tbh, it just feels good to know that you did something productive.
WELCOME TO THE (RUN) CLUB
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be alone and do that long run by yourself, it needs to be said the power of a communal run. With the rise of running amongst Gen Z has also been the rise of run clubs in and around the Metro. In case you aren’t familiar, run clubs are, as the name suggests, clubs of people who come together at certain times to run together. But there’s no membership fee required, a set amount of runs to participate in, or even a certain skill or ability level to possess. The inclusivity comes in just showing up to the meet-ups you can, and running based on your preferred pace offered so there’s no pressure on your end to keep up a certain standard. And it can’t be ignored the social aspect of it all.
The World Health Organization declared loneliness a “Global Public Health Concern” in November 2023 while studies have shown that Filipino youth are the loneliest in Southeast Asia. After the pandemic robbed many of us of our social lives, running clubs have been a way to connect with different kinds of people who all share a common love, in this case, running. It’s one of Gio’s favorite things about the sport with how he’s been able to make friends outside of his college and workplace circle. “I get to meet different people from different backgrounds. I get to learn from them as well.”
INSTAGRAM/BINI_PH
Beyond bars and dating apps, run clubs are where Gen Z go to meet people and socialize. The shared interest is there, which can lead to natural face-to-face interactions, forming connections, and community building in a supportive and relatively relaxing environment. Pro tip: Gio says it helps to reach out directly to the organizers of run clubs if you want to join them. “I suggest you try teaching out sa mga nagfacilitate to see if you can join their Viber or Facebook groups para updated ka kung may event sila.”
RUNNING WITH BESTIES
Even if you don’t want to join a run club, there are other ways to make running a social activity such as using fitness apps like Strava or organizing a running session with your friends. “I definitely prefer running with other people. I seem to feel less tired even when the pace gets pretty fast, probably because the idea of running with others somehow puts me at ease,” expresses Hale. The best part is that running with friends can double as the barkada hangout, catching-up session, and even spill a little tea while you’re at it without spending too much money. Bonus points if you end the run at a coffee shop to continue to hang out there.
Though, regardless if you like to run alone or in a group, Gio makes it a point that what you see online should not be taken as the only standard for your running goals. We all have our own pace, so draw the line when it comes to what you consume on social media. “You’re not pressured na kailangan na ka-level natin lahat na tao nakikita natin. You have to know where you’re at and at the same time be inspired.”
TIPS FOR STARTERS
For a generation that some (older) people stereotype as being too lazy, Gen Z is proving that we can move and be active beyond our phone screens as long as the right factors are in place. In a time when our future is unsure, many Gen Z have turned to running for that physical, emotional, mental, and social kick.
INSTAGRAM/HANNAHPANGILINAN/PHOTO BY BORGY ANGELES
So, if you’d like to try running for yourself, Gio has a few tips for beginners. First, just show up and run. Second, do your research on proper running to not accidentally injure yourself. Three, don’t let the pressure of pros who have been doing this for years dissuade you from trying. “Don’t treat this as a competition to other people but a competition with yourself. Strive to be better than who you were yesterday.”
Fourth, you aren’t competing in a marathon on day one, so take your time to learn the ropes and be patient. “Huwag ka mapressure sa makikita mo online. You have to trust the process. It will take time, just be patient.” Finally, remember to enjoy, have fun, and step out of your comfort zone since the local running community is welcoming to newbie runners.
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