At Longford Striders, we welcome everyone, whether you are building fitness, training for a race, or simply enjoying time on your feet. But we have noticed something interesting. While plenty of men are out running, fewer of them seem to join local running groups.

This is not just a local pattern, it is reflected nationally.

According to England Athletics, around 116,000 runners are registered with the RunTogether group network. Of those, approximately 87,500 are women and 28,500 are men. That means women make up roughly 75 percent of group runners, while men account for around 25 percent.

Yet the National Running Report 2024 paints a different picture when looking at the overall running population. Across the UK, 54 percent of regular runners are men. So men are running — they are just much less likely to do it as part of a group.

Why the gap?

Research and discussion within the running community suggest a few reasons. Some men view group running as too social or worry they will not be fast enough. Others prefer to train alone for performance reasons or feel unsure about joining an established group. There can also be a perception that running groups are more about camaraderie than structured training, and that might not seem to fit everyone’s goals.

At Longford Striders, we have been running since 2021, and like all RunTogether groups, we are about much more than just logging miles. We aim to make running fun, inclusive and supportive, no matter your pace, experience or background.

It is about support, not pressure.
It is about showing up as you are, whether you are steady, speedy or just starting out.
It is about enjoying the benefits of group running in a space where everyone belongs.

RunTogether was created to help people run in safe, friendly environments where confidence can grow, goals can be personal, and community matters just as much as pace. That is exactly what we aim to offer at Longford Striders.

Whether you are training for a 10K, rebuilding fitness or simply want some company on your runs, we would love you to join us. And if you have experienced any barriers to joining a group, we would really like to hear about them.

Running together benefits everyone, and we believe there is a place for every runner in our community.