Want to get lucky? Then run as a couple! In a nationwide survey of runners, we found that 66 percent of runners believe they have more sex when they run with their significant other. Men (71 percent) are more likely than women (62 percent) to think that a couple that runs together has more hanky panky.

In other findings from the Brooks Run Happy Nation Report, guys enjoy chatting on the run more than their female counterparts. Seventy-six percent of men surveyed pass the miles by discussing their team’s latest victory (sports, 51 percent) or their cool new gadget (34 percent). Ladies, on the other hand, choose to use their running time as therapy – they are most likely to talk about relationships (47 percent), both the good and the bad. Surprisingly, all runners ranked their happenings in the bedroom as their least favorite running topic.

“We hear from runners every day about how hitting the road is an integral part of their daily routine, and wanted to test just how big a part running played in their relationships, travel habits and friendships,“ said Heather Snavely, Brooks senior director, brand marketing. “The results of the report were both fun and surprising.”

More juicy tidbits related to relationships, running while traveling and runner pet-peeves were uncovered in time for the start of the spring running season.

BRINGING SEXY BACK

Everyone knows running is good for the body, but how does it affect personal connections?

Distance matters. The longer you run the better your sex life, the survey found, as nearly half (49 percent) of couples who run six or more miles together claim it pays dividends in the bedroom.

Runners ages 18-39 (72 percent) are more likely to think running together as a couple leads to more nooky than runners ages 40 and older (59 percent).

Overall, 69 percent believe their sex life is affected, for better or worse, by running together as a couple, and when running with friends, both men and women talk equally about knocking boots (21 percent).

Runners from the West (42 percent) are most likely to claim that running increases their time spent rolling in the hay versus the South (38 percent), Northeast (33 percent) and Midwest (32 percent).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Being away from home doesn’t mean taking a break from running.

If the running shoe fits: 67 percent have left something out of their suitcase to fit in their running shoes, with an extra pair of shoes (30 percent), an extra outfit (26 percent) and a blow dryer (21 percent) topping the list of omitted items.

Runners are committed! More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78 percent) keep up their run while traveling, and men are more likely to keep up the routine than women (82 percent vs. 73 percent), as are those who are parents (82 percent vs. 74 percent).

Nearly three out of four (74 percent) runners who hit the pavement one to five times a week at home keep up their running routine when on the road.

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to pack your running shoes. San Francisco ranked as the top runner-friendly city (46 percent), followed by Portland (34 percent), Boston (32 percent), Boulder (30 percent) and New York City (30 percent).

NO SOUNDS OF SILENCE

For a large majority of runners, listening to music helps keep them on track.

Those who can’t find the perfect running buddy shouldn’t despair; there’s always an audio download to keep company. Eighty-seven percent of runners like to listen to something to keep them motivated, whether a rump shaker playlist (music, 78 percent), audiobooks (11 percent), even meditations (10 percent) or motivational speakers (9 percent). Just 13 percent feel that silence is indeed golden and choose no audio companion.

PET PEEVES: Detour Ahead

The survey also discovered that honking drivers, traffic lights and speeding bicyclists are among the top pet peeves that runners encounter.

Difficulty dressing for the weather is a bigger pet peeve for females (30 percent) than males (17.3 percent).

Runners are torn about the worst type of runner they encounter on their favorite trail or running spot:

The Spitter (30 percent claim this is their “most hated runner” category): runners who spit or hock a loogie while running;.

The Double-Wide (29 percent): runners who run in a group and take up a lot of space;

The Superhero (14 percent): runners who are completely decked out in unnecessary gear;

The Flasher (14 percent): runners who don’t wear enough clothes even when it’s cold out.

Which statistic surprises you the most? Let us know in the comments.

Study Methodology

The Brooks Run Happy Nation Report was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+, who run at least once per week, between Feb. 22 and Feb. 28, 2013, using an email invitation and an online survey. The margin of error for this survey is 3.1 percentage points.