Indonesia’s ‘joki’ Strava phenomenon: Faking running stats for flex

In Indonesia, a new trend has emerged where individuals hire ‘joki’ or surrogate runners to log extra kilometers on their behalf on popular fitness app Strava. This phenomenon, known as the ‘joki Strava’ phenomenon, allows users to boost their running statistics without actually putting in the physical effort themselves. Some users engage in this practice to keep up with their peers and maintain a facade of consistent performance on the app, fearing they may fall behind if they do not meet certain standards. As a result, ‘joki’ runners have become a sought-after service for those looking to enhance their online reputation in the running community.