According to a report by Nielsen Sports published in 2021, 13 per cent of all surveyed runners began during the pandemic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEvery Wednesday evening, a group of women meets at Albert Park to run.<\/p>\n
The pace is easy and relaxed and the emphasis is more on conversation and connection than\u00a0speed or distance.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.183%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e5d5c7f172022be7672d62e4215be42da04fceea\")
<\/p>\n
Ebony Clarke, Brittany de Grootand Dominique Holland are part of all women running group Flow State.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Simon Schluter<\/cite><\/p>\n\u201cWe spend more time hanging out after the run than we do running,\u201d Brittany De Groot says. \u201cThere is no ego, we won\u2019t race off and leave someone behind. There is a real sense of camaraderie. If we need to stop, we stop; if someone wants a drink, that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Groot works in the music industry and started the all-women running group, called Flow State, a year ago after taking up running during the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone was seeking connection in COVID and running was a good way to exercise while having a chat within the rules,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
After their run, the women debrief over a non-alcoholic beer or soft drink and have dinner together monthly.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.179%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_18\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/31fb9792ea24ac51fc34f77d57f7fe20ff2bec75\")
<\/p>\n
Running groups have popped up all over Melbourne. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Simon Schluter<\/cite><\/p>\nFlow State is one of many running groups that have popped up in Melbourne after a surge of interest following the pandemic.<\/p>\n
The groups are free to join and often organise through social media platforms such as Instagram.<\/p>\n
Photographer and filmmaker Ben Clement is an organiser of the AM:PM Running Crew which meets in the CBD and Clifton Hill twice a week, with 15 to 20 people turning up for each run.<\/p>\n
\u201cRunning was booming already, and we see post-COVID it has gone through a second boom with an uptake of new groups and crews,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is definitely a global movement with hundreds of crews around the world putting a new spin on running.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.297%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_606\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/982dead6720584b36dec7899bfd212c8200c23e3\")
<\/p>\n
The AM:PM Running Crew all have coffee together after morning sessions.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Ben Clement<\/cite><\/p>\nClement says there are so many running groups in Melbourne, someone could easily join a different group every night of the week.<\/p>\n
The AM:PM Running Crew have coffee after morning sessions and Clement says a big part of the group is the social element.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe party together, we go on holidays together, we eat food together, there are a lot of things we do outside of running \u2013 running is the thread that brings us together,\u201d he says. \u201cThe new groups are not as stiff as the old clubs, they are welcoming and more social with less stress around club fees and things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The uptick in popularity of running groups is driving entries to the Melbourne Marathon, being held on Sunday.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.302%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ca93b9e17e81666b3ab43c68bcd4b7e30303ca48\")
<\/p>\n
From left: Andr\u00e9s No\u00e9, Jamie Kavanagh, Xavier Watson, Sean Marshall, Conor Dillon, Tess Marks, Luke Moran, Montana Ferguson, Kelsey Dubar are part of the AM:PM Running Crew. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Ben Clement<\/cite><\/p>\nThe race sold out months ago and event director Marcus Gale described the demand for entries as unprecedented.<\/p>\n
The full marathon, which has 9500 runners, sold out for the first time. The half-marathon, with 12,000 runners, also sold out, as has the 10-kilometre race, with 11,000 runners, and the five-kilometre race with 5000 runners.<\/p>\n
A waiting list has 17,000 people who missed out and want to participate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have never seen these sorts of numbers before,\u201d Gale says. \u201cRunning was one of the beneficiaries of COVID as people couldn\u2019t do much else, so they got out and exercised.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to a report by Nielsen Sports published in 2021, 13 per cent of all surveyed runners began during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Campbell Moffatt is a teacher who has been leading running group Love The Run out of Clifton Hill on Tuesday nights and Friday mornings for 15 years.<\/p>\n
The group has resulted in one marriage with a couple of kids, several couples and many friendships.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s people with similar interests and in some ways you are at your rawest when you are running. It\u2019s just you, there is no facade or pretences put up,\u201d Moffatt says.<\/p>\n
Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Politics<\/h2>\nFrom our partners<\/h3>\n
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