Subj : Speedy Strava users are reportedly selling their runs to other St To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Jul 25 2024 17:00:05 Speedy Strava users are reportedly selling their runs to other Strava users for clout Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:46:17 +0000 Description: Strava users are selling their runs to other, slower users in a bizarre athletics twist on "stolen valor". FULL STORY ====================================================================== If youre an experienced runner and a user of Strava, youll be used to feeling good about the run youve just uploaded to Strava, only to be humbled as you scroll through the fitness app and see an endless procession of GPS maps showing runs that are a lot faster than yours. However, a recent report states that those speedier runs youre seeing may actually have been bought by individuals who want to be perceived as better at running, cycling, swimming and so on than they actually are. Strava , for those not in the know, is one of the best fitness apps for runners. Its a combination of training diary and social network, which allows athletes to upload their runs and rides by syncing the information from their best running watches and smartwatches to be sent directly to their Strava account. Other Strava members that follow you can check out your workouts, view any pictures or videos youve taken, and offer you Kudos (Stravas version of a Like. You can also view a diary of all your sessions on your Strava profile. However, a recent article in Canadian Running magazine highlights the rise of so-called Strava Jockeys in Indonesia. Strava Jockeys, as they are referred to, are individuals who log runs on other users accounts: clients provide them with their Strava account login information, and the Strava Jockey will run routes of impressive distances and even more impressive paces. Prices seem to vary by kilometer and pace, with faster runs commanding higher rates: this Indonesian X user advertises a cheap price for their services. (Image credit: Lauren Scott) The phenomenon isnt new, nor is it restricted to Indonesia: we found some American users on X as far back as July 2023 advertising their services as Strava Jockeys, but this is the first time the concept has become widely discussed, as far as were aware. TechRadar has reached out to Strava for comment on the phenomenon. Analysis: Why bother? In a post-truth, AI-infested world, its safest to adopt a position of trust, but verify when discussing and analysing content produced by strangers on the internet. However, paying someone else to run your Strava account for you seems hilarious, vain and harmless in equal measure. If anyone really cares about running clout that much, let them do it, right? After all, theyre not getting any fitter. Unfortunately, its not all harmless fun: where this trend could become somewhat harmful is when influencers get in on the act, using their fake Strava times to project an unrealistic image of their success to their followers, or use ersatz times to enhance their public image, which they use to court lucrative sponsorship deals or free trips that could be otherwise picked up by a more deserving, legitimate runner. If an influencer sells products to the public and bases those products on their athletic success, cheating also calls the legitimacy of those products into question, like bodybuilders who sell supplements whilst denying steroid use. It doesnt seem to be a common trend at the moment, but still - if your mates 10K times are looking a little suspect, maybe offer to lace up your best running shoes and go running with them next time to see how fast they are for yourself You might also like... Google takes a break from destroying Fitbit by rolling out a surprisingly big software update Strava is finally adding Dark Mode, AI analytics, family plans and more How to change the privacy settings on Strava's messaging feature ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/speedy-strava-users-are-reportedly-se lling-their-runs-to-other-strava-users-for-clout --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .