Are running clubs the new dating apps?

Are running clubs becoming the new places to flirt and date?

For some, shopping is a chore; for others, it's the fulfillment of their shopping urges. But for a certain group—how large this group is unclear—it also offers an unexpected opportunity to arrange a date . A new viral trend on TikTok, originating from the Iberian Peninsula, suggests this: According to the numerous videos shared in recent weeks, the supermarket is becoming the new hotspot for meeting potential partners. The supermarket chain Mercadona, in particular, seems to offer the perfect setting for flirting between 7 and 8 p.m. An indispensable identifying sign? An upside-down pineapple in the shopping cart.

Yes, because only this unmistakably signals that you're open to new acquaintances. On August 20, Spanish actress and comedian Vivy Lin shared a video on TikTok in which she and a friend explain how to kill two birds with one stone while shopping. The trick? Simply go to Mercadona at the right time, perhaps even a little more dressed up than usual, and stroll leisurely through the aisles of fruit, vegetables, other groceries , and household goods with a pineapple in hand. Although this trick isn't new—a contestant on the Spanish version of the dating show "First Dates" mentioned it back in 2017—so-called grocery dating is now experiencing a revival that has even spread to neighboring Portugal.

In fact, this trend is neither new nor limited to Iberian singles. In Milan, for example, the name Esselunga on Viale Papiniano is well known: for over a decade, this branch of the well-known supermarket chain has been considered a "singles supermarket." This may be due to the neighborhood's special socio-demographic location, strategically positioned between Navigli, Bocconi University, and the Università Cattolica – a magnet for many looking to meet new people. As early as 2016, an article in "Vice" reported on the firmly established tradition of "food dating" in this location, supported by Facebook groups and events organized specifically at the supermarket to facilitate meeting people.

It's about the desire to build real relationships

The trend is clear: the desire to escape the virtual world of the smartphone and make more real connections is growing. Fewer dating apps, which often bring frustration, long wait times, indecision, and sometimes even deception, and more real-life encounters.

A similar trend appears to be developing in the UK and the US. There, running clubs, or groups of people who meet regularly tojog together, are considered the new meeting place for singles. These running clubs not only offer a great way to keep fit and improve endurance, but also the chance to find the right partner for life. After all, there's nothing better than meeting someone who shares our interests, is physically active, and willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Some even go so far as to use apps like Strava to find out where most potential partners hang out (although you should always be mindful of your data and security!). As Strava's annual "Year In Sport: Trend Report" found, participation in running clubs increased by 59 percent in 2024. Over half of participants reported having made new friends through the running groups. And: Of the Gen Z respondents, almost one in five said they were dating someone they met while playing sports.

Whether it's the incessant purchase of pineapples or the challenge of jogging and flirting at the same time, one thing is clear: the desire for new encounters extends far beyond the virtual world of dating apps. In recent years, it seemed as if these apps were the preferred way to find love (or at least fleeting acquaintances): fast, geolocated, and often very direct in their intentions. But they've also opened up a field of disappointments—lingering, ghosting , catfishing, and more. Even surveys show that many users are frustrated. According to Forbes Health, 79% of Gen Z in the US would prefer to do away with dating apps. The return to in-person dating may seem strange at first, but it offers the chance to sharpen our social instincts, cultivate emotional intelligence—and, incidentally, choose the best pineapple.

The article originally appeared on Vogue.it .

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