Young singles are also joining running clubs to find dates.

Running is lapping other sports across fitness trackers, and Gen Z is setting the pace.

Why it matters: During a loneliness crisis and remote work era , running is one way to release stress and make new friends.

Between the lines: Young singles are also joining running clubs to find dates . Content creator Cindy Sandjo, 29, told The New York Times her followers said these groups "are the new dating apps."

By the numbers: 84% of Strava users tell the fitness tracker company their No. 1 reason for exercising is social connection.

• Gen Z is 29% more likely than millennials to work out with another person at least some of the time.
• Also, runners are 85% more likely to log a personal record when running in a group of two or more versus a solo run.

The bottom line: Whether you're Gen Z or not, there are lots of running groups that facilitate community and social connection. Check these out in Charlotte :

• Mad Miles Run Club meets Mondays at 6:30pm at Social Status, Tuesdays at 6:30pm at YVY Training and Saturdays at 10am at Elizabeth Park.
• In South End, take your pick from brewery run clubs at Wooden Robot (Tuesdays at 6:30pm), Sycamore (Wednesdays at 6:30pm) and Triple C (Thursdays at 6:30pm).
• Mattie's Diner near NoDa recently started a run club on Tuesdays at 6:30pm.
• In Dilworth, Charlotte's Morning Run Club meets at Backyard Brew on Thursdays at 6am.

Go deeper: runCLTrun has a list of local run clubs, check it out here.