Social running
Seven out of ten European runners prefer to run alone, with the Dutch (75%) and German (74%) runners most likely to be seen running by themselves. The preference to run alone also crosses over to the gender field, with around 75% of men opting to run without a companion compared to 62% of women. This figure coincides with the aforementioned fact that a high percentage of British women (33%) and Northern European women (on average 35%) do not like running when alone or in the dark as they do not feel safe.
There are certain Europeans who do, however, enjoy the company of another runner, and this is most apparent in southern Europe.
‘I like to run with others’
Running clubs, colleagues, and babies
The high score for Italian runners running with a companion is partly explained by the fact that Italians, more than any other European, are members of running clubs (13%).
Spanish runners are most likely to be accompanied by a partner on a bike or rollerblades (16%), or their colleagues (12%). Interestingly enough, at just 3%, the British are the highest percentage of runners who run with a baby stroller.