Runners in London looking for a romantic connection can ditch the dinner dates with a new opportunity this summer from the world’s most popular dating app. Tinder has teamed up with Runna, a personalized running coaching app, to introduce a unique summer run club series for singles.
Dubbed ‘SoleMates,‘ this summer series responds to the rising trend of ‘run clubs’ and activity-based dating. There has also been an increasing number of runners on Tinder, with ‘running‘ currently a top interest tag.
Event Details
The SoleMates Run Clubs will span three weeks in June and July, featuring different locations across Central London.
Event Schedule:
- Wednesday, June 12, 2024: Clapham – The Stonhouse (165 Stonhouse Street London SW4 6BJ), 6:00 PM arrival for a 6:30 PM start around Clapham Common
- Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Central London (TBC), 6:00 PM arrival for a 6:30 PM start
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024: Location TBC, 6:00 PM arrival for a 6:30 PM start
What to Expect
The SoleMates Run Clubs will be promoted through Tinder’s app, featuring a ‘Swipe Card’ that directs users to the booking facility.
These runs are inclusive of all skill levels, welcoming beginners and seasoned runners alike. Each session features a 5K run led by Runna at a relaxed pace.
Participants without a Tinder match will be paired based on their running experience, ensuring everyone has the chance to meet new, like-minded people.
Post-run, attendees can enjoy a social gathering with drinks, snacks, and co-branded goody bags, providing further opportunities to see if a deeper connection forms.
Laura Wilkinson-Rea, Senior Communications Director from Tinder comments: “With the nights getting longer, and many young singles ditching the classic dinner date, the SoleMates Run Clubs allow young singles to enjoy an IRL date with a difference. What is guaranteed is that heart rates will rise.”
Ben Parker, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Runna added: “It’s been incredible to see the love for running spread across London, with so many amazing new run clubs, enriching local communities. With our passion for running, we are thrilled to be teaming up with Tinder for the SoleMates Run Clubs and can’t wait to welcome runners down to the event and hopefully help build some great new connections!”
Is Tinder Run Club A Good Idea?
Don’t get me wrong, dating a runner is pretty awesome (in my unbiased opinion, of course). And SoleMates is just trying to streamline the process of finding your lifelong running partner. But here’s the thing…I predict some safety concerns.
Over the years, Strava has gotten a lot of criticism for different updates that didn’t take into account runner’s safety, with women being especially vocal about location data, stalking, and even the direct messaging feature.
Now we’re essentially combining Tinder and Strava, and there are a few concerns that come to mind.
Firstly, there’s the potential for harassment and unwanted advances. Especially considering there will be alcohol involved afterward, it could place some individuals in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation if their ‘match’ wasn’t who they thought they were.
My next big concern would be privacy, including location and stalking. With everyone being from the same city and likely walking or running to and from the actual event, it opens the door for stalking. Especially considering you likely won’t know most people there to begin with, they could say ‘Oh, I live down so-and-so street too,’ when in reality, they don’t.
Although it seems like a match made in heaven (pun intended), creating a Tinder run club does pose some privacy and safety concerns that could need to be ironed out beforehand.
