[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES] After the COVID-19 pandemic, a running crew craze is spreading, especially among the MZ generation. This trend of running together and pursuing fun has some positive aspects in encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but at the same time, it has serious side effects that undermine the essence of running and cause inconvenience to the community.
Running crews are causing a variety of problems, including occupying public spaces, creating noise, and causing complaints to nearby residents. In particular, holding events involving celebrities or paid classes in public places hinders fair use and causes inconvenience to other users. Seoul's Seocho-gu Office's ban on group running of five or more people is a clear example of the seriousness of this problem.
However, the problem cannot be solved simply through regulation. What is more important than limiting running crew activities is for runners themselves to understand the nature of running and observe etiquette.
Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami says that running gives him time to be alone and reflect on himself. He emphasizes that the greatest charm of running is facing oneself in solitude. Dr. George Sheen also says that running alone allows you to enjoy solitude and gain deeper satisfaction.
Running is a means for personal reflection and growth. Running together is great, but the true value of running lies in self-discovery and growth through alone time. Running crews emphasize the social aspect of running, but overlook the essential values of running: personal growth and self-reflection.
Therefore, running crews must go beyond simply running together and pursue individual growth through running and achieve harmony with the community. Running crew members can upgrade their running culture to the next level through the following efforts.
When using public spaces such as parks or playgrounds, you must be considerate of other users and minimize noise. In addition to running together, you should set your own goals and strive to achieve them through alone time. We must contribute to the local community by communicating with local residents and planning running events together.
Running crews emphasize the social aspect of running, but overlook the essential values of running: personal growth and self-reflection. In order for running crews to not lose sight of the essence of running and create a healthy running culture, individual efforts as well as improved social awareness are needed.
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