December is the season of togetherness and we want to celebrate stepping into this month of festivities by exploring the many benefits of running together. Philos sees ‘Running as Ceremony’ and when we create these ceremonies together the benefits are only ever amplified. Running isn’t just about the distances or the pace; it’s about the journey and the connections built along the way. Evolutionary psychology suggests that humans evolved to work together in group settings and when we run we mimic these ancestral group activities, strengthening our bonds. When you run together, you’re tapping into an ancient human instinct—our brains are wired for social bonding through physical activity. So here are three reasons why you might want to consider running together.
1. Run Stronger, Run Faster, Run Longer — Together
Ever notice how you pick up the pace when someone’s running beside you? That’s not just your imagination—it’s called social facilitation. This is where the presence of others improves performance on physical tasks. Running with others naturally boosts your performance, making you push a little harder and go a little further. Evidence shows we push ourselves more than we think we are capable of when with a group!
2. Accountability and Commitment
Behavioural Science research shows that when we have social commitments and expectations we are far more likely to adhere to plans; meaning when we say we are going to run with a group or run buddy it reduces the likelihood of skipping sessions. The knowledge that someone is counting on you can be the perfect motivator to put on your running armour and hit the pavement. And that sense of mutual responsibility? It transforms the experience, making it not just about the run, but about building meaningful, lasting habits that stick.
3. Mood Boosting and Connection Building
Running with others isn’t just more fun—it’s scientifically proven to boost your mood and motivation. When you run with a group, you’re likely to release more "feel-good" hormones like dopamine and oxytocin, making the run feel less like a workout and more like a social event. Simplicity is key and when we put one foot in front of the other, with others, we become closer and stronger together. Whether it’s sharing stories and laughs or pushing each other through struggles, running with a community can turn a simple jog into a powerful mental health and motivational boost.
Philos hosts a weekly women's afterwork run every Wednesday 6:30pm, at Spiegelgracht 21, Amsterdam. We would love to see you there, more information and sign ups can be found on our strava https://www.strava.com/clubs/philosrunning
