A new survey from Brooks Running Company, the leader in performance running, found 66 percent of runners believe they have more sex when they run with their significant other. Men (71 percent) are more likely than women (62 percent) to think that a couple that runs together has more “hanky panky.”
In other findings from the Brooks Run Happy Nation Report, guys enjoy chatting on the run more than their female counterparts. More than three-quarters (76 percent) of the men surveyed passed the miles by discussing their teams latest victory (sports, 51 percent) or their cool new gadget (34 percent). Ladies, on the other hand, choose to use their running time as therapy – they are most likely to talk about relationships (47 percent), both the good and the bad. Surprisingly, all runners ranked their happenings in the bedroom as their least favorite running topic.
So which late night host would runners share the road with?? When it comes to a favorite running partner, Jimmy Fallon (27 percent) steals the spotlight, with Chelsea Handler (22 percent) and Jimmy Kimmel close behind (22 percent).
As for their favorite running city, runners overall say the hills of San Francisco make their heart race.
“We hear from runners every day about how hitting the road is an integral part of their daily routine, and wanted to test just how big a part running played in their relationships, travel habits and friendships,“ said Heather Snavely, Brooks Senior Director, Brand Marketing. “The results of the report were both fun and surprising. And I have to agree with those surveyed; I personally would love to join Chelsea Handler for a martini 5K in San Francisco.”
More juicy tidbits related to relationships, running while traveling and runner pet-peeves were uncovered in time for the start of the spring running season.
Bringing Sexy Back
Everyone knows running is good for the body, but how does it affect personal connections?
- Distance matters. The longer you run the better your sex life, the survey found, as nearly half (49 percent) of couples who run six or more miles together claim it pays dividends in the bedroom.
- Runners ages 18-39 (72 percent) are more likely to think running together as a couple leads to more nooky than runners ages 40 and older (59 percent).
- Overall, 69 percent believe their sex life is affected, for better or worse, by running together as a couple, and when running with friends, both men and women talk equally about knocking boots (21 percent).
- Runners from the West (42 percent) are most likely to claim that running increases their time spent rolling in the hay versus the South (38 percent), Northeast (33 percent) and Midwest (32 percent).
On The Road Again
Being away from home doesn’t mean taking a break from running.
- If the running shoe fits: 67 percent have left something out of their suitcase to fit in their running shoes, with an extra pair of shoes (30 percent), an extra outfit (26 percent) and a blow dryer (21 percent) topping the list of omitted items.
- Runners are committed! More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78 percent) keep up their run while traveling, and men are more likely to keep up the routine than women (82 percent vs. 73 percent), as are those who are parents (82 percent vs. 74 percent).
- Nearly three out of four (74 percent) runners who hit the pavement one to five times a week at home keep up their running routine when on the road.
- If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to pack your running shoes. San Francisco ranked as the top runner-friendly city (46 percent), followed by Portland (34 percent), Boston (32 percent), Boulder (30 percent) and New York City (30 percent).
No Sounds Of Silence
For a large majority of runners, plugging in to tracks helps keep them on track.
- Those who can’t find the perfect running buddy shouldn’t despair; there’s always an audio download to keep company. Eighty-seven percent of runners like to listen to something to keep them motivated, whether a rump shaker playlist (music, 78 percent), audiobooks (11 percent), even meditations (10 percent) or motivational speakers (9 percent). Just 13 percent feel that silence is indeed golden and choose no audio companion.
PET PEEVES: Detour Ahead
The survey also discovered that honking drivers, traffic lights and speeding bicyclists are among the top pet peeves that runners encounter.
- Difficulty dressing for the weather is a bigger pet peeve for females (30 percent) than males (17.3 percent).
- Runners are torn about the worst type of runner they encounter on their favorite trail or running spot:
The Spitter (30 percent claim this is their “most hated runner” category): runners who spit or hock a loogie while running;
The Double-Wide (29 percent): runners who run in a group and take up a lot of space;
The Superhero (14 percent): runners who are completely decked out in unnecessary gear;
The Flasher (14 percent): runners who don’t wear enough clothes even when it’s cold out.
Study Methodology
The Brooks Run Happy Nation Report was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+, who run at least once per week, between February 22nd and February 28th, 2013, using an email invitation and an online survey. The margin of error for this survey is 3.1 percentage points.
About Brooks Running Company
Brooks Running Company designs and markets running-specific performance footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 60 countries worldwide. Brooks’ mission is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, and faster. Brooks’ mission is supported by its Run Happy philosophy, a quest to celebrate and champion the sport of running and all runners everywhere. Brooks, founded 1914, is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information or follow us on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/brooksrunning).
