The days of meeting someone in a sweaty nightclub are becoming a distant memory of the past.
Nowadays, people are swapping dancing for running and taking part in the latest craze to hit Dublin – Happy Feet Run Club.
Thanks to founders Ciara McNulty and Kate Flynn, heaps of like-minded people are brought together every Saturday and Sunday morning to go for a group run.
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Although the run club was not started with the dating scene in mind, it has accidentally reflected the nightclub scene’s business model and is now operating in the same way.
It was mainly women who attended the first few group runs, but like a moth to a flame men recognised their opportunity and joined the club.
Of course, not everyone who attends the runs goes for the chance to find a potential partner, the majority are there for their love of running and the opportunity to meet new friends.
However, when you hear the famous club line “Can I buy you a drink?” being repeated at the counter in the coffee shop at 11 am on Sunday, it poses the question – Is this the new way to meet someone?
We are living in a more health-obsessed era than ever before, and it is interesting to see how that has reflected in our dating culture in Ireland.
People are getting sick of waking up hungover every weekend, so there was a welcome gap in the market for a new pick-up spot.
There is also less room for exaggerating your fitness levels and interests at Happy Feet.
We all have that one minor catfish of a friend who “loves long walks on the beach” or are “avid hikers” in their Tinder bio, but in reality, have never even walked the Howth cliffs.
It has also been scientifically proven that exercising, specifically running, results in feelings of euphoria and calm in your body.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine: “That relaxed post-run feeling may instead be due to endocannabinoids — biochemical substances similar to cannabis but naturally produced by the body.”
“These mood-improving neuromodulators promote short-term psychoactive effects such as reduced anxiety and feelings of calm.”
There is no better way to beat the nerves of asking someone on a date than when your natural endorphins are pumping, just make sure you spray some deodorant first!
If you are relatively fit and looking for a new way to meet someone, then why not give Happy Feet Run Club a go?
Their Instagram is linked here so you can view their schedule.
