The golden sun in the late afternoon signals the perfect chance to crunch in another running session. Runners put on their headphones and play their favorite tune to set the mood. They stretch their glutes, calves, and arms before getting in position for their daily run. Before sprinting from the starting line, it’s essential to track the activity—this is where Strava comes in handy. Sweat soaks into every fiber of their lightweight polyester clothing as they slow down to a halt, finishing another day’s run. 

This is a common sight for modern-day running enthusiasts. Some people do it for the energizing rush of adrenaline, and some do it for wellness. The act of running has gained prominence not only among social circles but also on social media. This increased visibility made it appealing for others to try for themselves. Recently, Strava—a sports tracking app that can record run routines and serve as a platform for users to socialize—is becoming the face of this growing community in the social media space, despite the presence of other apps.

Its popularity has prompted students in DLSU-D to use it too. Strava not only became an essential for runners—beginners and professionals alike—it also serves as exposure to the road infrastructure and pedestrian accessibility problems in DLSU-D and the City of Dasmariñas, which begs the question: Can they properly support this growing activity, and how safe can it be?

Why run in the first place?

The energetic rush flowing through the feet in every stride and the intense breathing for every second of the routine are the core nature of running. It builds endurance, burns calories—without the membership fee of a gym—and is accessible to everyone, given how we can simply incorporate it into our lives, just like running to class to avoid being late or catching a jeepney or bus during the peak of commuter rush hours. 

To some people, running is more than just a simple exercise. It can also spark changes in their overall social well-being. I spoke to Johnna Del Rosario, a De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) women’s volleyball team libero, about how Strava affected her lifestyle. 

“When I started running, it became therapeutic for me. It reduced my stress and improved my mood as well. I would recommend others to run since it can help your physical and mental health. Just enjoy running and no pressure,” she shared.

To people like Del Rosario, running is vital in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a great warm-up exercise before hitting the weights or conducting high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises, while also improving the endurance of athletes. Aside from these, WebMD, a popular health and wellness website, claims that running can improve sleep, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being. 

The Strava craze

Nowadays, running has become more than a simple activity—it has become a tool for socialization, bringing people together to squeeze in more hours of exercising and uplift one another to achieve personal goals and records. Run clubs can be a catalyst for a better social life, making the exercise itself even more meaningful. With this opportunity, runners can be swayed to join marathons, expand social connections, and eventually make running a vital part of their daily lives. 

Since the introduction of the internet and social media, it has become easier for people to communicate with one another, and this was apparent with Strava. The popularity of Strava can be attributed to the growing community of runners as well as the constant progress of breaking one’s personal records (also known as the term “PR” within the community), which drives people to use the app more. This, in turn, entices others to try the app as well, creating the so-called “Strava Craze,” which is also evident among students of DLSU-D. 

“I am already using other running apps during my training, but I switched to Strava because I was told it is more accurate [in] real-time tracking. The fact that I can see my progress is something I need. I am also inspired to do more activities since nakikita ko rin ‘yung progress ng friends and mentors ko,” del Rosario stated when asked about her experiences in using Strava.

Her sentiments echo the opinions of other users as well. Seeing progress in running or in any other sport is important as it gives you a sense of motivation, leading to a positive increase in productivity. 

“Napansin ko rin if tumatakbo ako nang walang Strava, I feel like hindi kumbaga complete ‘yung routine ko since walang info na nakikita, like step count or distance. Every time I start running, I feel the urge to use the app,” she furthered.

The Bumpy Road Ahead

The terrain or location where a runner conducts their routine plays an important role in their pace, rhythm, and overall satisfaction. In Dasmariñas, bumpy and broken roads filled with potholes, as well as exposed steel rebars, serve as road hazards that are detrimental to vehicles and pedestrians alike. These problems can be observed along Aguinaldo Highway and Congressional Road, which serve as the primary roads in the Kadiwa Area. 

Safety is an important factor in choosing one’s route, which is why most runners often opt for areas near their residence or in wide public spaces with little to no vehicular access. This makes the Dasmariñas Arena and Promenade Sidewalks suitable for this type of activity. Not only are these areas wide, but they also restrict the entry of vehicles, making them safer. 

These features prove that with proper urban planning, the overall walkability of an area will improve, thus increasing the number of people running or walking on the roads and sidewalks. Walkability, in this context, is important—it can be better for the environment by reducing cars, while also improving the health of citizens. 

As a student-athlete, Del Rosario conducts her routine in the places mentioned above, but recommends the DLSU-D Track Oval as a great place for people to conduct their exercise regimen. Based on observations, the roads inside the University can serve as a track, but are not recommended because possible violations can be incurred due to strict policies within the campus. Unlike other universities such as the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman, which is the current center of Strava Craze and a location open for the public, the usage of facilities in DLSU-D is restricted to the students, faculty, and alumni only due to it being a private institution.

When asked about her recommendations for the city and the University to make roads safer for runners like her, Del Rosario stated, “DLSU-D should implement additional lighting kasi madilim ang oval sa gabi. Mayroon namang spotlight sa Grandstand pero kapag napunta ka sa kabilang part ng oval, hindi na rin umaabot ‘yung ilaw. When it comes naman sa city ng Dasma, I think they should implement ‘yung sidewalk expansions and repairs, because when I run, some roads do not have [a] sidewalk and tatakbo ka na lang talaga katabi ng mga sasakyan. Also, some of them ay lubak-lubak and mahirap iwasan habang tumatakbo.” 

The track determines a runner’s speed, pace, and safety, and if these metrics are not up to safety standards, the risk of injury and even tragic accidents can hinder runners from completing routines and discourage others from trying running in the first place, despite having tools like Strava to motivate them.

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More and more people are running due to the increased visibility of the sport on the internet and in the streets, making it multi-faceted. It is not just a sport; it is a networking rendezvous for people of all sorts, and applications like Strava help us understand the nature behind sport and motivate us to try it. 

Due to the increased activity of running, more people are now noticing the dire state of our road networks and public spaces, which primarily focus on transporting vehicles instead of moving people. The popularity of running is not stopping anytime soon. With the advent of the Strava craze, more people are sharing the road with cars. Let’s hope that with this, improvements will not only be seen in personal health but also road conditions and public infrastructure, serving running enthusiasts and everyday citizens better.

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 39, Issue 2