FIT Blog: Why Run (and Travel) in a Group

Running can sometimes feel like a solo sport. Life is busy, and sometimes the volume you need to run when you are marathon training doesn’t always lend itself to buddying up. 
And of course, you have your races where you are shoulder to shoulder with thousands of your never-met-before running friends, but if you find that more often than not you are tackling race pace and long runs and heading to the start on your own – you may be missing out.  When you’re training or traveling to a race, that adds a whole new layer to the fun you can have with a group.

Let’s look at five benefits of running (and traveling) with others. 

1. It helps you stay motivated.
It’s much harder to find an excuse when skipping out on training with a friend. Buddying up can provide you with the accountability to show up for those weekly miles. 

That consistency in your training plan will help you stay focused and reach your goals in a supportive way. Plus, when you get into your longer runs, having a running buddy, or two, will help you lose track of time and before you know it, you’re at your goal distance.

2. It makes you happier. 
We’ve all heard exercising releases endorphins — you know, the happy hormone. Likewise, friendship is the most important thing affecting your mental health, so spending time with friends also releases endorphins. Pairing those two things and running in a group sound like pure happiness all-around. 

Now, that doesn’t mean that the miles won’t be hard, but generally speaking, running with others can make you happier in the long run (pun intended).

3. You can push yourself harder.
A study published in the Journal of Social Sciences found that our healthy actions rub off on others. If you are running with someone who might be faster or have more mileage under their belt, it will push you to strive for those things: faster pace and higher mileage. After all, imitation is the best form of flattery. 

In addition to being flattered, you will also get helpful tips and techniques from others in the group helping you get a bit more out of your running. 

4. It provides a sense of community.
The connections that come from having an experience such as running (and traveling) with others provides an incredible support system. You feel less lonely when you can create a bond with others.

Beyond the shared experience of training together, you get your own cheering section! Members of running groups often root for each other during races and while completing long rungs.

In fact, a sense of community is one of the reasons FIT exists. From a group excursion to sweaty post-race hugs, there’s nothing quite like our #fitfam running community.

Here’s what one of our runners had to say about her Tokyo Marathon experience: “You have some of the coolest people working for FIT and they just make you feel like family.” 

5. It’s safer.

They say there’s safety in numbers, and that’s true for both running and travel. If someone in the group gets injured or sick, or maybe traveling alone is a bit intimidating, in a group there is always someone around to help. 

If you’ve ever tried to run in winter weather, not only can motivation be hard to come by but ice is also a threat to your shoe tread. Going out in a group can help provide a sense of security and motivation even in tough conditions. 

Running (and traveling) in a group has so many benefits. Besides being happier, more motivated, and pushing yourself harder, it provides a sense of community. In a group setting, you can explore new trails, roads, and destinations more easily. Bonus? With FIT taking the lead, you to take the stress out of marathon planning. Our group programs are designed by runners & spectators for runners & spectators!  

To experience our #fitfam community through the eyes of our group runners, watch our 2024 Tokyo Marathon recap here.

Ready to sign up for a travel group run? Check out our 2023 events here:https://www.fitnessinternationaltravel.com/fitrun-all