At SaltStick, we love hearing directly from our athlete community. To that end, we recently conducted a survey of SaltStick fans, which gave us a fresh look at how runners connect through run clubs. Here are some standout findings:
1. Run Clubs Are Thriving
A whopping 85% of respondents have participated in a run club, either virtually or in person. What’s even more interesting is that over 60% of members belong to at least one run club, and 18% are active in multiple clubs.
2. Beyond Just Running
Run clubs aren’t just about pounding the pavement. According to our survey, nearly 56% of clubs host social events like happy hours or product demos, while 50% participate in group races and health challenges. The sense of community is palpable, with run clubs offering activities that go well beyond traditional workouts.
3. Keeping Communication Social
How do run clubs keep everyone in the loop? The survey showed that 68% of respondents rely on Facebook, with 43% turning to email and 23% preferring text messages. Surprisingly, TikTok barely made a blip, indicating that while run clubs are modern, they’re not chasing every social media trend.
4. Why Do People Join?
While fitness is a major driver, it’s not all about physical training. Nearly 60% of participants joined run clubs to train for a race, but 22% joined to socialize and meet new people. And while only a small percentage joined with romance in mind, we were curious: has love blossomed on the track? 5% of respondents said yes!
5. Challenges and Barriers to Participation
Not everyone sticks with a run club. About 28% of respondents have quit a club at some point. The main reasons? Schedule conflicts (42%) and moving away geographically (27%) topped the list, followed by feeling excluded (23%). It’s a reminder that inclusivity and accessibility are key to keeping these communities vibrant.
6. Partnerships Matter
Interestingly, 51% of run clubs reported having corporate sponsors or partners, highlighting the growing integration between brands and grassroots fitness communities.
Key Takeaway
Run clubs are thriving spaces for connection, fitness, and growth. As SaltStick continues to support athletes, we’re inspired by how these communities are evolving to offer much more than just an evening run.
