Les nouvelles pratiques des coureurs connectés

Overview: “Running 2.0” as a Social Activity

Running “2.0” has shifted from a solitary activity to a connected, social one—driven by social media and mobile apps. Instead of disconnecting, runners now:

• Share outings and experiences
• Track performance publicly
• Seek likes and recognition
• Compare themselves with others online

The Weekly Run Club at Amiens Cathedral

A prominent example is a weekly run club that meets every Wednesday evening at the foot of Amiens Cathedral. Hundreds of runners—often strangers—gather to run together for about 45 minutes.

Origins

The initiative began with Théophile, who noticed that many people trained alone and wanted to create real connection.

Growth and Community

These groups, sometimes nicknamed the “insomniacs,” emerged through social networks without formal membership or licenses, and have since expanded quickly across France.

Participants describe the experience as more conversational and communal. Instead of the isolated “bubble” created by headphones, runners often share brief talks and common moments during the run.

Strava: Competition and Comparison Through a Social App

This transformation is also powered by Strava, a social sports app where runners record routes and share them to receive comments and likes.

Example: Segment Hunting

A “segment hunter” illustrates how users compete virtually through challenges. Johann targets a specific distance and tries to beat an existing record—an achievement of 4 minutes 08 seconds over 1300m, held for two years.

With consistent improvement, he rises in the rankings. He uses the app not only to measure performance, but also to compare his progress with others—including friends and well-known influencers.

The Dark Side: Anxiety, Pressure, and “Surveillance”

While social networks can connect runners, they can also produce darker effects:

• Increased anxiety and pressure
• A “surveillance” dynamic, where activity becomes something to document and monitor
• Dependency—especially among women—who may feel unable to run without recording and publishing

New Beginnings: Breaking Barriers for Beginners

“Running 2.0” also helps lower barriers for newcomers. Marjorie, who started running last year, joined a women-only run club to feel more confident and less focused on time and performance.

How the Women-Only Club Works

• Runs are organized weekly
• Routes may include places like Saint-Pierre Park or the Grand Mar area
• Groups can grow to as many as 150 participants

Marjorie says the women-only format—supported by encouragement and comfort-focused details—helped her ease into the sport.

Social Media as a Launchpad

The club itself traces part of its origin to TikTok: a video viewed thousands of times helped attract members, particularly because winter and running alone can be intimidating. Over time, participants didn’t just stay in touch—they became friends, and the group became more than scheduled runs.

Conclusion: Community, Solidarity, and the Need for Self-Worth

Overall, the argument is that social networks can foster community and solidarity—especially for runners who are isolated—while also challenging people to maintain motivation and self-worth beyond external validation.

The goal, ultimately, is to keep running with pride for personal progress—even when it isn’t rewarded or displayed online.

Presenters or sources

• Quintilian (mentioned as the source of the rhetorical advice)
• Théophile (origin of the run club idea)
• Strava (app cited as a key tool)
• Instagram (cited as a platform that can unite)
• TikTok (cited as the trigger for growing the women’s club)
• Coline (creator of the women-only group mentioned)
• Johann (Strava segment hunter example)
• Marjorie (women-only run club participant)