As the sun comes out and singles clean-up their dating profiles for new beginnings, one dating trend is picking up pace: running dates. So to help singles find their stride and meaningfully connect with their Tinder matches in this era of active romance, Tinder is teaming up with Andrew Jones, a Professor of Applied Physiology at the University of Exeter, to officially define the optimal ‘Date Pace’ – the sweet spot that helps runners look cool, feel confident and keep the flirty vibes flowing while dating on the move. And the magic number? 12.1 minutes per mile.

A pace for hearts and sparks
Perfect for two, Date Pace is all about finding a rhythm that keeps the conversation flowing as easily as strides. Professor Jones explains that the moderate 12.1mpm pace keeps the heart rate elevated enough to release feel-good endorphins, without pushing the body into stress mode or causing excessive sweating, so runners feel at ease and can keep up not just step for step, but chat for chat.

Date Pace lands as new research from Tinder reveals Gen Z singles are now ditching drinks in favour of endorphins, with over a third (38%) preferring an activity date instead of grabbing a pint when meeting their match IRL1. This comes as no surprise with a further 45% agreeing that traditional dates feel more like a job interview, than something actually fun1.

This shift towards a more relaxed style of dating is showing up on Tinder too. Mentions of “park run” in UK Tinder users’ bios have soared 90% from March 2023 to March 20252, with “running” as an interest more than doubling over the same period.

Real good vibes only
The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK singles aged 18-35 years old, also shows that authenticity is a key factor when building connections online and offline, with 72% revealing that they want to show up as their unfiltered selves right from the start1. And it seems this realness really pays off, with the majority agreeing that the best connections happen when both people are unapologetically themselves from the outset (82%)1.

However, not everyone is ready to sprint into getting sweaty on a first date. Over half of Millennials (58%) admit they’re hesitant to embrace a fitness date in case they don’t make the best first impression1. So keeping it safe, over a third of Millenials stick with the classic dinner (35%) and drinks (34%)1.

New dates, new confidence, new passions
As today’s young singles embrace low-pressure ways to meet, they’re also finding a new sense of empowerment with every connection. In fact, 29% of Gen Z singles say they feel more confident with a potential partner when participating in a more relaxed, activity-based date1.

And it’s not just sparks flying – new passions are being unlocked too. While just under half of Gen Z singles (42%) admit they’ve pretended to be sporty to impress a date, for 43%, the bluff has paid off and led them to discover a new activity they now genuinely enjoy.

Andrew Jones, Professor of Applied Physiology at the University of Exeter explains: “Tinder’s data shows that more young singles are prioritising their wellbeing than ever before, and with running season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to rethink what a first date can look like. Running lifts your mood, builds confidence, and when you get the pace just right, it creates the perfect conditions for genuine connection. That’s the magic of Date Pace – which I’m officially defining as 12.1 minutes per mile.”

Finding a connection that goes the distance
To help singles put Date Pace to the test, Tinder is bringing back its popular Tinder SoleMates Run Club for another season. Taking place this May and June, Tinder will host two run clubs in partnership with running app Runna, where runners can either come along with a Tinder match to see if sparks fly IRL, or turn up solo to meet new people over a shared passion (and maybe even run into their solemate, literally).

Designed for all experience levels, SoleMates Run Club welcomes everyone to the 5k runs – from seasoned striders to weekend joggers. At the finish line, runners can enjoy a post-run social, complete with drinks, snacks, and exclusive Tinder merch to keep the fun going. The first run club takes place on 8th May, with the second following on 26th June – both hosted in central London.

Spaces are limited, so runners can secure their spot via Tinder’s UK Instagram and TikTok in the coming weeks. And if you can’t make it to one of the run clubs, or fancy a head start, Tinder has created the perfect ‘flame’ route on Strava in London so singles can lace up and meet up, available here (and there’s even a competition you can join to win some amazing date prizes).

Tinder is also the official connection partner of this year’s Hackney Half Marathon, so for runners hitting the streets of London on Sunday 18th May, be sure to check Tinder’s 50m takeover of the route and activation within the festival village with merch and more fun to be had.

Sinead Purcell, Senior Communications Director of Northern Europe at Tinder comments:
“We know people are craving authenticity and connection and it’s showing up in how they choose to date. Date Pace isn’t about hitting a PB or focusing on your fitness, it’s about creating the right environment for connection and chemistry – where the conversation flows as smoothly as the strides. With SoleMates Run Club you might just find someone you truly vibe with – and someone that embraces your hobbies is a keeper in our books.”

Insights from Tinder’s Year in Swipe 2024 report further underscore the evolving priorities for today’s singles, with the gym ranking as the fourth most attractive interest3 among singles and running being in the top 10 date activities3, proving that today’s daters are looking for partners who can keep up, both in conversation and on the move.