Dancing at a 5-minute pace – How running and music belong together

Is there anything more synonymous with running than grabbing your earbuds and selecting a playlist? I’ll wait. Whether it’s to distract yourself from your burning legs, find fresh motivation for the last miles, or whether it’s simply to add a soundtrack to your run – many runners listen to music while out for a run. And for good reason.

A study by the University of Edinburgh determined that running with your favorite motivational tunes may help you overcome mental fatigue. This, in turn, boosts your physical performance and allows you to run faster. Another study suggests that music reduces your lactate levels significantly compared to running without it. 

So the evidence is there – running and music go hand in hand. But there’s more to this connection than meets the eye. Enter Calum of HHV (Hip Hop Vinyl) – a Berlin-based music label, vinyl, lifestyle and clothing store. The former Basketball player-turned-runner is just as passionate about exploring new albums like he is about testing new running routes. And to amplify the excitement of experiencing something new, he listens to new music on routes he’s never run before. 

A marathon on the dance floor

“Running and music are almost synonymous.”, Calum agrees. “What you’re listening to can really influence not only your pace, but your feelings, your positivity towards your run.” And given the sheer infinite variety of music out there, there are many ways music can affect your run. “If you’re listening to some Lo-Fi or Americana music, it’s probably gonna be a slow run. But then you put on some typical Berlin Techno, and you’re all set for your high-paced tempo runs.” 

Calum adds that both running and music are heavily driven by emotions: “Depending on what you feel like, the genre you listen to can make a huge difference. Tune into some hardcore metal for when you really want to get these emotions out on your run. The combination of running and music simply elevates your experience. You feel more creativity, more focus and do something great for your mental health.”

And Calum is right, running is even like dancing in a club. You start off, not quite knowing how it will go. Then, once you get comfortable, minutes turn into hours and before you know it, it’s 5 a.m. and the lights turn on. The same goes for longer runs, once you find your rhythm, there’s no telling how far you might run.

Moving the Berlin community

During the pandemic, (like so many of us) Calum and his colleagues from HHV discovered how running allowed them to stay active when gyms and team sports weren’t available. And before long, HHV and On realized that they could combine strengths and the HHV Running Club was born. Their regular “Kiez Runs” bring music and running enthusiasts together, while demonstrating the unique atmosphere of Berlin’s sprawling neighborhoods. But that was just the first step of a budding partnership.

“Together, we were able to set up a Strava group. Our goal was to reach 5,000 km (3,100 miles) and through that, raise money for the refugee aid organization Give Something Back To Berlin. Once we reached our goal, On and HHV each donated €5,000.” 

Soon after, HHV and On introduced the Berlin Music History Run as part of a community event. The event concluded in a group run past Berlin’s most influential clubs, studios and culture-defining venues. During the run, Calum was among the guides leading the groups, educating runners on the history of each location and sharing Berlin’s deep roots in music. And as the roughly 180 participants of the event took over whole streets, it became clear that a close-knit community is taking shape at the intersection of music and running.

It’s a match

After doing our research and talking to Calum, there’s no denying it (if there ever was) – music and running simply belong together. Each on its own lets us unwind, sort our thoughts, feel stronger, more confident and, simply put, better. But combine the two and you’ll experience a supercharged version of these benefits. If you haven’t already fully embraced this potent combination, we highly encourage you to do so. 

If you’re a city runner, try to keep the volume down in busier areas to stay safe and aware of your surroundings. But if you really want to dial up the decibels, we recommend finding a calmer route.

Now choose a playlist (this one comes courtesy of HHV), find a route, lace your running shoes and feel how music and running work their magic in unison. Even better: Join the HHV Strava group and their next Kiez Run in Berlin.