Global run club participation jumped 59% last year, according to Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report. But the real story isn’t just that more people are running together; it’s what they’re doing next. These groups aren’t stopping at weekly neighborhood loops. They’re booking flights to Patagonia, organizing Alpine trail expeditions, and turning race calendars into international travel itineraries.
Welcome to the runcation, where your fitness community becomes your travel crew. Europe’s largest hospitality company Accor predicts athletic adventures will be one of 2025’s biggest travel trends, noting a 50% rise in searches for “workout holidays” over the past year.
From Pandemic Coping Mechanism to Social Movement
When COVID-19 restricted indoor socializing, people discovered something powerful about moving together outside. The combination of fresh air, physical challenge, and genuine connection filled a void that Zoom happy hours never could.
Even as restrictions lifted, the preference stuck. People didn’t want to return to dim bars and expensive drinks as their primary social outlet. They wanted lower-stimulation environments and activities that left them energized rather than hungover.
Strava’s data reveals 58% of run club participants made new friends through fitness groups, with “making social connections” ranking as the top motivator above fitness goals or weight loss. These are friendships built through shared suffering on hills and mutual encouragement through bad weather. Once you’ve bonded over neighborhood 5Ks, bigger adventures become the logical next step.
When Your Running Group Becomes Your Travel Agency
Companies specializing in running vacations report explosive growth. Runcation Travel saw demand for their Patagonia trips increase 15-fold compared to the previous year. Their itineraries take groups through Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park and Chile’s Torres del Paine, where runners tackle trails with views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Other popular destinations include the Italian Dolomites for hut-to-hut trail running, Mammoth Lakes in California (a renowned training ground for marathoners), and Quito, Ecuador, which recently hosted its first UTMB qualifying event offering trails that traverse jungle and Andes Mountains.
The appeal extends beyond elite athletes. Travel companies like Contiki are launching run club trips specifically for 18- to 35-year-olds, offering chances to explore up to 16 European destinations on foot while hitting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Colosseum. It’s sightseeing at running pace, which turns out to be perfect for noticing details you’d miss from a tour bus.
What Makes Running Different From Other Group Travel
Wellness tourism isn’t new, but running vacations offer something distinct. Running requires almost no skill barrier to entry. Unlike surfing trips or climbing expeditions that demand significant experience, you can join a running vacation as long as you can jog. Most companies offer multiple pace groups to accommodate varying fitness levels.
The activity itself creates natural bonding. When you’re navigating trails at altitude in Patagonia or running through Budapest during a night race, you’re problem-solving together, pushing through challenges, and celebrating small victories in real time.
One runner described hut-to-hut trail running in the Dolomites as an experience where “I was able to be entirely present for the duration of our journey.” That forced unplugging, combined with single-minded physical focus, creates a different kind of vacation than scrolling through your phone at an all-inclusive resort.
The Pilgrimage Element
National Geographic describes runcations as “part sport, part pilgrimage,” and that spiritual framing resonates. You’re not just visiting a place; you’re earning your view of it through physical effort. You’re not just taking photos; you’re creating stories about the hill that nearly broke you or the sunrise you witnessed mid-run.
The run club started as a way to make friends and stay accountable to fitness goals. It evolved into a social movement redefining how people connect without alcohol. Now it’s becoming a framework for how people experience the world: together, outside, moving forward. And with marathon tourism drawing record numbers and cities like Valencia rebranding themselves as running destinations, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
