Company running groups are one of the most robust formats in WHP—not because running is particularly trendy, but because a fixed group with a regular meeting time creates social commitment like hardly any other sports offer.
Why do people run more with others than alone?
If you have arranged to meet colleagues on Monday, you’ll go even if you’re tired. This isn’t an act of willpower, but social psychology: you don’t want to be the one who’s missing. This mechanism makes running groups so sustainable. There’s also the preparation for specific events—company runs, city runs, charity runs—which keeps a group together for months without anyone having to actively promote the offer.
How do you create a group that doesn’t fizzle out?
The most common mistake with company running groups: starting off too ambitiously. A group that plans to run for an hour three times a week often shrinks after just a few weeks. A group that runs once a week for 30–45 minutes often lasts for years. What matters is a leader—not a manager, but someone who simply starts running and brings others along. This person doesn’t need training, just reliability. How you can also reach shift workers and those who have been inactive so far is explained in the guide Increase WHP participation rate.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Determine interest via a short survey or notice
- 2Set a fixed running time + meeting point (e.g. Tuesdays 5:30 PM from the parking lot)
- 3Plan routes: 3 km (beginner), 5 km (intermediate), 8 km (advanced)
- 4Create and share a registration list
- 5Organize a kick-off run: relaxed, no performance pressure
- 6Set up a group chat for reminders and motivation
- 7Fix weekly running days for 8-10 weeks
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- half a day
- Cost
- under €100
- Duration
- 8–12
- Setup
- 120 min
- ✓ Shared goal
- ✓ Visible externally
- ✓ All fitness levels
- ✓ Sense of community
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Adopt it for your company
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
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Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Physical Activity →A fitting occasion
- International Day of Movement (May 10): Company Movement Day
Related Best Practices
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