I think this is a great idea. In a similar vein, they could also try a running club. There are running clubs everywhere and they look for people of all skill levels (your target could be a 5K, 10k, etc). There are smaller “pods” of people running at different paces, so you can always find a group that matches your skill level. They are also very encouraging and a good way to meet a variety of people. After-run drinks is also not uncommon.
But, with the CrossFit suggestion and this one, I think that the exercise component is just as important as the social aspects. Exercise can help just as much mentally as physically. The notion on a “runners high” is a real effect.
Being able to do it alone or in a group is also a bonus. I have run both with a club and by myself. You don’t have to wait for someone else to get started. You can join a gym or you can run outside. If you have running shoes, you can start today. (Okay, if you’re in the northeast, you might want to wait a few days…)
Another benefit to running — your coding will get better. Seriously. When you have time to stop and think more about a problem, away from the keyboard, problems get easier to solve. I’ve debugged several issues just by stopping and going for a run.
Finally the feeling of finishing a race — no matter the distance — is great. You don’t need to run in a race to get the other benefits, but it’s nice to have a goal.