As Wimbledon captivates the nation and another summer of world-class sport gets underway, millions of Britons feel inspired to pick up a racket, lace up their running shoes or try a new sport. But while major sporting events consistently drive participation, one obstacle continues to stop many people from turning inspiration into action: finding people to play and train with.

It is this challenge that inspired the launch of Pacer, a new sports community platform backed by Le Mans-winning racing driver Alex Lynn, which helps runners, cyclists, golfers, padel players and other sports enthusiasts find compatible training partners, organise sessions and build real-life sporting communities.

Described as “the home of social sport”, the free app and website have been created for a new generation of people who increasingly see sport and fitness as a central part of their social lives. By matching users based on sporting interests, ability, goals, location and availability, Pacer makes it easier to find like-minded people to train with, whether preparing for a half marathon, looking for a regular padel partner or organising a weekend cycling group.

The platform arrives at a time when participation in recreational sport is booming across the UK. Running continues to attract record numbers, with more than 6.5 million people now running regularly in England, while demand for the London Marathon has reached unprecedented levels. Padel has become one of Britain’s fastest-growing sports, growing from around 15,000 players in 2019 to an estimated 860,000 in 2025, while social run clubs, cycling groups and recreational golf continue to flourish among younger adults.

Yet despite growing enthusiasm for active lifestyles, many people struggle to find others who share their sport, ability and ambitions.

Founder Dylan Morris-Jones came up with the idea for Pacer after moving to London and finding it surprisingly difficult to build a sporting community.

“We’re surrounded by more opportunities to be active than ever before, and every major sporting event inspires thousands of people to give something new a go,” he said.

“But enthusiasm isn’t really the problem anymore. The biggest challenge is finding the right people to play with.

“You might want to start playing tennis because you’ve been watching Wimbledon, train for your first half marathon, or find a regular cycling group, but unless you already know people who share your interests and your level, it can be difficult to get started.

“We built Pacer because we believe nobody should have to train alone. Sport is one of the best ways to build friendships, stay motivated and become part of a genuine community.”

Unlike traditional event listing platforms or sports booking apps, Pacer combines intelligent matching with community tools, allowing users to discover compatible training partners, organise sessions, create sport-specific groups, chat directly with other members and manage their entire sporting life in one place.

Instead of juggling multiple WhatsApp groups for different sports, users can organise everything from regular running meet-ups and golf games to cycling rides and padel matches through a single platform.

International racing driver, Le Mans winner and Pacer investor Alex Lynn believes finding the right training environment can make all the difference.

“Whether you’re competing professionally or simply trying to stay active, training with people who match your ability and mindset makes a huge difference,” he said.

“Having the right people around you keeps you motivated, makes training more enjoyable and helps you improve. Pacer is all about making those connections easier and giving people somewhere their sporting community can grow.”

As another summer of elite sport encourages more people to get active, Dylan believes the UK’s growing appetite for social sport is only just beginning.

“Watching incredible athletes inspires us because it reminds us how enjoyable sport can be,” he said.

“The challenge isn’t convincing people to take part anymore. It’s helping them find their people. Once you do that, sport becomes something you stick with for years.”

Initially launching across London, Pacer supports multiple sports including running, cycling, golf and padel, with plans to expand into more sports and cities in the coming months.