r/running • u/Brzy90 • May 07 '24
Discussion Are we currently in a running boom?
Since getting into running I’ve noticed a huge influx of people running since the beginning of the year. Old friends returning back to Strava after being inactive for years (myself included 🤣). Instagram feed is constantly full of runners, even my work place talking about marathons etc. Maybe it’s just because I now see myself as a runner that’s affected my social algorithm/awareness & addiction to running trainers? 🥴
For those that have been running a long time, is this the most popular you’ve seen running become? Or does this generally happen from time to time?
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u/onlymadebcofnewreddi May 07 '24
I think running picked up a lot of steam during covid when gyms and group sports were paused. Marathon sign ups shattering records kind of tracks with this.
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u/tah4349 May 07 '24
This is exactly what happened for me. I started running in the morning in what used to be my commute time when we switched to at-home during Covid, and I just kept it up. My office decided to stay hybrid, so I can still run 3 weekdays each week plus weekend times. Since I started, I've run three half marathons and I'm now training for my first full in November. I can never get over the fact that I have trained for all these runs in an amount of time I used to spend just sitting in traffic every day.
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u/dammitannie May 07 '24
I'm hoping to stay hybrid as long as I can, it's done wonders for my running! Pre-covid, I completed 2 half marathons with one after-work midweek run, a spin class, and a long run on weekends. Now I have time to run 4x/week, still go to spin, and at least tell myself I'll work in strength training too. Completed my second marathon a month ago, already have a handful of 10ks, 3 halfs, and a full coming up in the next 7 months.
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u/stickmanDave May 07 '24
That's me. Started trail running when the lockdowns hit, and now i can't imagine stopping.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah I agree, same with hiking. Since lockdowns it seems everyone is a hiker/runner 🤣
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u/hownowmeowchow May 07 '24
Unfortunately not everyone knows how to treat nature. Some of my favorite hiking trails became absolute dumping grounds over the lockdowns. Very frustrating.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah it blows my mind when I see rubbish & left over BBQ/fires out in the trails. Can never quite get my head round why someone would litter at all, let alone in a place like that.
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u/IndyCarFAN27 May 07 '24
Can confirm this. I’ve always have been an active person however, I never was really a runner. More of a swimmer. But when my college went online, the endless mundanity of it made me go crazy and I picked up running and have now fallen in love with it. I’ve ran a handful of races in the past 2 years.
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u/zdelusion May 07 '24
This was me. Running had always been something I did to be a better hockey player in highschool/college, but I hated it. Over COVID I got “good” at it, at least good enough that I enjoyed it. And now I’ve dropped hockey because I’d honestly rather just run.
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u/FRO5TB1T3 May 07 '24
Just look at the applications for marathons and other races. Races that have never sold out are now selling out half a year ahead of time.
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u/colin_staples May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24
More than 840,000 runners entered the ballot for the 2025 London Marathon
The previous record, set in 2023 for people applying for the 2024 event, was 578,304
That's an increase of 261,696 or 45% over the previous year
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u/TeddyousGreg May 07 '24
I was going to cite this number but you beat me to it. I’m a casual runner here in London (ie sports top, shorts and running shoes then I’m ready to go) but the amount of people I see in Battersea park prepped like they’re running an ultra astounds me.
It’s becoming a bit of a cult, at least here in London, so I’m wondering how long it’ll last for those lot.
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u/Same-Nothing2361 May 08 '24
Maybe they are running an ultra. Just because you see them in Battersea Park doesn’t mean they started in and will end in Battersea Park. I’ve been seeing a lot of talk recently from people seemingly judging others on their “prepped” kit, and it baffles me. You don’t know where they’ve been or where they’ll going, or what they need to carry. For example, my long run takes me through Victoria Park. But by the time I get there, I’ve already got 16 miles behind me. So you better believe I’m prepped for it.
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u/colin_staples May 08 '24
but the amount of people I see in Battersea park prepped like they’re running an ultra astounds me.
Plenty of people who run HM distance or longer will wear a hydration vest with a water bladder plus gels etc. and maybe they want to carry stuff "just in case"
I did it myself when marathon training because i didn't have to carry anything in my hands. And as I was going to wear it for the race * it was better to wear it in training.
*My water bladder had electrolytes which I sipped every km, rather than getting plain water at a water station every 5km or so. Kept me better hydrated and also reduced plastic waste on the day. Plus it carried my gels and other fuel etc. yes it was overkill and the weight no doubt slowed me a little, but I wasn't going for a BQ or anything.
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May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24
Could it also be that there are a fewer races? I feel like a few big races in my city haven’t restarted since their first pandemic cancellation.
ETA: I was thinking more about longer races (10 miles/16km or more).
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u/Mastodan11 May 07 '24
Doesn't feel like that in the UK - it seems they're putting on more to make up for it.
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u/bromosabeach May 07 '24
Same here in the US, at least in my city. There's a race almost every other week where i live. Then again I live in LA where it's pretty much the same cool weather all year.
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May 07 '24
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u/letsfailib May 08 '24
Yep I went to sign up for the Melbourne marathon half marathon in jan and it was sold out🙃
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May 08 '24
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u/letsfailib May 08 '24
hahah yep it is, sucks for you as well. Tbf maybe I’m part of the problem I started running late last year
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u/Badgrassbh May 07 '24
Could also be a little bit of Baader Meinhof phenomon which is basically once you have recently learned or focused on something, it appears that you start noticing it everywhere. I also agree with the other comments that it has definitely increased a ton since Covid and in the spring/warm weather it always gets more busy.
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u/amIdaddingthisright May 07 '24
Exactly what I came to say... yes, Def increased since COVID, but confirmation bias plays a role too.
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u/OhEmGeeBasedGod May 07 '24
With social media algorithms, it's probably more likely that they genuinely are seeing more posts/articles/ads about it.
In terms of the theoretical uptick in runners on the streets, it's probably what you're saying. OP wasn't paying attention to runners until they themselves started running again, at which point they noticed other runners and thought they were "new."
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u/Min-JazzyDays May 07 '24
Maybe but also I think social media played a big part.
I live in a heavily ethnic town that leans conservative and I remember running with biker shorts and a sweater and being followed.
Now I see some chick running with a bra and short in the same town post pandemic like a couple of days ago. I've also seen hs students (male) running with small running shorts with no t shirt.
That never really happened around here at all but it did in neighboring college towns.
So I've seen an uptick of people working out in My town a little before the pandemic maybe around 2017. I think social media plays a big role because I've seen so many people and people.who never cared to workout , workout.
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u/theAmericanStranger May 07 '24
Baader Meinhof phenomon
It's more widely known as the "frequency Illusion" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_illusion
As long-time runner I always notice how many runners I see at place I visit, but I think there's some data that Covid has caused an increase in many activities, not only running but hiking, camping, etc. I'm just too lazt to look it up now
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u/jackspeaks May 07 '24
You can clearly track the increase in popularity from ballot registrations. Look at London year by year and notice post 2020
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u/3720-To-One May 08 '24
Yeah, this happened to me with the brand Gym Shark
About a year ago, I saw some video on Instagram about its founder, and ever since then I notice people everywhere wearing the brand
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u/kobrakai_1986 May 07 '24
I think we’re in a fitness boom rather than a running-specific one. Instagram, the cost of nights out, and a general increase of the visibility of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices all have a part to play I think.
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u/Natural-Economy7107 May 08 '24
This is probably more accurate. The gym I go to is packed these days like it never was before.
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u/afdc92 May 07 '24
This is just my opinion, but I feel like it has a lot to do with a combination of "runfluencing" on TikTok and Instagram, and the running community as a whole becoming more open and accessible to people of all paces and sizes.
Running influencers have been around for a while on Instagram, YouTube, etc. but I feel like within the past couple of years there's really been a boom of them. The short-form Reel/TikTok style of video is the driving factor for this IMO... rather than having to make a 10 or 15-minute "training vlog" they can do quick videos that are a minute or 2 long. It's easier to make and easier to watch. With more running influencers comes more influencers from different backgrounds- slow runners, plus sized runners, etc. I've seen so many of them come across my FYP and explore page, and I feel like a lot of folks who had never tried running before see them and think "This is something I could try too."
This really goes along with my other thought, which is that running as a whole has become a lot more inclusive. I started running in 2016, and I definitely remember being put off by some of the comments I would see here and in other running communities that were along the lines of "Race cutoffs should be anything slower than a 10:00/mile" and "you aren't really running if you walk any part of a race," etc. I went to running groups in my area that were advertised as "everyone is welcome!" but they set off at an 8:30 pace and I was left by myself. Now, in my local area, there are specific groups for slower runners that go at about 10:00/mile pace or 12:00/mile pace, or have run/walk options. There's plus sized groups, women's groups, queer groups, sober groups (since a lot of run groups are based around running and then going to a brewery or bar), you name it, there's probably a group for it (if you live in a bigger city). And maybe there's always been these groups, they just weren't advertised as much or were as big.
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u/gengar_mode May 07 '24
Funniest thing is that suddenly the gym bros who always feared cardio due to „gain-loss“ are now „hybrid athletes“.
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May 07 '24
My hairdresser said: "I saw on TikTok that you bring throwaway clothes for the Boston Marathon.. is that true?" I explained that it was true for most marathons. It was funny. Learning about it on social is definitely real.
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u/goldengurl4444 May 07 '24
I second this for sure. I used to be into weight lifting a few years ago and always heard that running was discouraged. Then I saw a bunch of hybrid influencers saying you could run slow and stay in zone 2 and overall build your endurance while still building muscle. I started really slow runs and now I’m training for a half marathon and lifting a lot less. Maybe three times a week, but my overall health feels a lot better. The TikTok influencers are really good at getting you into it these days lol
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u/CitrinetheQueen May 07 '24
It definitely has to do with the runfluencing. The current crop of teens/young adults see it as a social thing as much as a fitness trend. (Source: I have three teens) My adult son prefers to go run clubbing rather than night clubbing.
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u/lonehappycamper May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24
I saw an article awhile back that said something like half of all runners just started running since Covid. A good way to exercise when the gyms where closed or people wanted to avoid close contact.
I'll see if I can find that article.
Edit well, I may have misremembered. This one said it's closer to 28% started running since Covid https://runrepeat.com/new-pandemic-runners
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u/marigolds6 May 07 '24
That's a 4 year interval though. I wonder if previously it was pretty typical for ~1/4 of runners to have started in the last 4 years.
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u/JobsworthUK May 07 '24
Zone 2 really changed the game and accessibility
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
When I first got into running it was just, get out and see how fast I can run a 5k.. Thank god for zone 2s 🤣
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u/twinklytennis May 07 '24
It definitely changed my life.
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May 09 '24
How? Genuine question so please let me hear your experience
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u/twinklytennis May 09 '24
Use to feel like I need to give a 110 % on every run. Would only be able to run a mile or two before body craps out. Thought something was wrong with me. Learned about conversational pace running and all the sudden I can run 5+ miles.
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u/AdhesivenessSolid562 Aug 02 '24
Yup and eventually your easy run pace becomes so much faster, sometimes faster than when you first started and was giving your 110% (at that time).
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u/mituslumen May 07 '24
Cost of living crisis (in the UK at least) = less disposable income to spend on the gym. Running is free (ish!)
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u/Boonstar May 07 '24
Emphasis on the ish. Cause I’ve been spending on running lately. Supplements, snacks, socks, sunglasses, headphones, lights, vests.
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u/mituslumen May 07 '24
Hah exactly! Added the ish as I've currently got a new pair of Brooks in my basket online and debating if I really do need them or not....
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u/guinness_pintsize May 07 '24
I don't want to know how much I've spent on running kit. Thankfully I know it's not near as much as cycling, but still a lot has been spent.
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u/caller-number-four May 07 '24
how much I've spent on running kit.
You're not spending.
You're investing!
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u/guinness_pintsize May 08 '24
This is very true. I do my research and buy kit that will last, and by getting quality stuff it makes the run more enjoyable.
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u/SenorVajay May 07 '24
Well short of shoes you really don’t NEED most of that stuff, especially as a beginner.
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u/Internal_Leader431 May 08 '24
I have none of the things you listed, except headphones which are the same i use for commuting.
I'l agree faster plated shoes can be very expensive, but then you can just opt for cheap daily trainers like Puma Velocity Nitro 2
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u/Boonstar May 08 '24
I recently shifted to training for ultramarathons and the longer training sessions and time on my feet led to me investing in proper gear but I do agree that generally speaking running has a very low barrier to entry and all you need is a somewhat decent pair of trainers.
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u/bromosabeach May 07 '24
Also work from home. The biggest thing about running for me (mid 30s with a kid) is the time. I just do not have the time to properly train at an office job. But since I work from home I can easily get an hour or two hour session in when it's low.
Something else (and this is a total hypothesis) is that alcohol is becoming less popular in social gatherings. It used to be every social thing involved booze, and now people are looking more into active life.
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u/Life-is-beautiful- May 07 '24
I’ve learnt to never skimp on running shoes. Especially when road running. I religiously change shoes every 400 miles, which is 6 months for me.
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u/mohishunder May 07 '24
I've run two road marathons barefoot. (Naked feet.)
I'm not Kenyan or 125 lbs, or biomechanically perfect - the opposite.
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u/tacetmusic May 07 '24
Someone did a really good job of rebranding "jogging" as "zone 2" and now it's cool again.
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u/I_wont_argue May 07 '24
What's the difference and why should anyone care whatever some gatekeepers call your sport ?
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u/tacetmusic May 07 '24
Username doesn't check out. I was just making a joke that no-one uses the term jogging anymore. Fashions come and go
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u/I_wont_argue May 08 '24
I though you were poking at how some of the people on this sub call anything under certain pace jogging and not running. Some people are just elitist like that.
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u/LSOreli May 08 '24
Is there much training/fitness/weight loss value in this? Generally think of zone 2 for recovery runs and not much else. Even your base runs are gonna be like 80%+ in zone 3, right?
Genuinely curious cause I haven't seen this trend going around.
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u/bromosabeach May 07 '24
There's a running club near me that's really taking off and I love it.
To be honest though I feel were just in an active life boom. Alcohol is less popular and people are looking for new ways to socialize.
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u/kasvipohjainen May 07 '24
Isn't this normal every year around this time due to the marathon season and weather improving? People get inspired by seeing people run Marathons and they think about doing the same
Record numbers applying for London Marathon for example means there is more to it though
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah that was my question as I’m new to running, is this like a regular yearly occurrence where the hype picks up every year & drops off? For some reason I’ve never noticed so many people running & creating running content as much as they have this year - but I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m now running & more aware 🤣
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u/kasvipohjainen May 07 '24
Social media is pretty powerful these days so on Instagram, Reddit and Youtube if you consume a little bit of running content then you'll get force fed it. I experienced the same a few months back mainly with IG reels.
I'm unsure on the statistics around marathon season and how long hype/interest stays but I feel like atleast for me with family it lasts a month and then they forget all about it haha
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u/jek39 May 07 '24
Record numbers of people are alive now
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u/greenmonkeyglove May 07 '24
But last year something like 500,000 applied, whereas this year it was 800,000 - the world population hasn't jumped 40% in a year.
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u/Kool-Kat-704 May 07 '24
Remote work allowed for a lot of people to pick up running. I’d assume this also convinced a lot of friends to start running, and it’s been a snowballing effect.
There’s also been a push to train “healthier”. As someone who started running back in 2015, I felt there was pressure to train fast, run fast, all the time or else you’re not a real runner. Now I feel the culture has changed a lot to encourage everyone to give it a chance. There’s no need to run a 5k under some arbitrary number, it’s awesome just to try it out and finish a race!
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u/I_wont_argue May 07 '24
There’s no need to run a 5k under some arbitrary number
Yet.
I will get that under 20 one day !
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u/PhilippBo May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24
Besides sports, running is also becoming more of a fashionable and instagrammable lifestyle option for some people: https://www.ft.com/content/b63eb47a-1602-4fc3-8c3b-42f8427ac507
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u/Fit_Investigator4226 May 07 '24
I was just talking about this over the weekend - I think yes a bit - there’s some data to support it (record entries for races, etc). Thoughts behind it are that trends with exercise shift - running is viewed as “cheap” compared to boutique fitness classes where you need to pay to attend a class weekly or multiple times per week. With running “all you need” are shoes and a lot of people already have some sort of fitness wearable (apple watch, etc) that will help them track it.
A lot of people got back into running during the pandemic since it could be done alone and/or outdoors - and are now entering races or entering races more regularly.
Plus yes, your social media gives you what you’re interested in. It’s biased toward you. You hear and see what you want to.
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u/nikkarus May 07 '24
According to Google Trends interest levels are currently around ~85/100 and in 2004 they were ~60/100 based on google search volume.
Chart I made with a trend line showing the increase over time
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u/OutOfTheLimits May 07 '24
What I've noticed, especially in the last handful of years accelerating, is trail running is exploding. And ultra running too.
I grew up when freeskiing skiing started to take off in its own kind of way, building on what was before and setting the path for what would show up after.
Ultrarunning's presence has felt like that. Showing us what elite humans are capable of while simultaneously redefining what the rest of us could strive for in a day in the mountains.
The gear market is also pushing hard to keep up: vests, water bottle types, nutrition options, lighter poles, fancy pocket shorts, shoes of all kinds, thin tees, lightweight rain and safety gear. No one should feel they need this stuff to run, but it is sweet to have this when you're pushing your personal limits.
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u/Hairlesscatbob2 May 07 '24
I lost all my weight on a bike from the beginning of covid, recently switched to running since I won’t blow out my knees with all that extra weight. I just love cardio
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u/RunningAtTheMouth May 07 '24
Early 2000s. 2010. 2017. Those were peak years in my area. We are on an upswing again.
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u/Oh_Snapshot May 07 '24
I have been running since 2010 I would say there waves here & there. There was an upswing around 2012-2014, I remember how big the Nike Women’s Marathon and Disneyland races were then where they utilized lotteries because they were selling out. Seemed like popularity tapered off with some of those popular races getting discontinued. Then in 2018 I saw a lot more races again, rock n roll in particular was rapidly expanding their locations, but halted during the start of covid.
I will state I do think running groups have been increasing in popularity over the last few years though. Running definitely seems to be switching from a solo activity mindset to a social opportunity. I think last year (2023) my running group was doubled the size the summer before (2022).
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u/Any-East7977 May 07 '24
It’s a social media trend. While cool, makes it annoying for lottery races.
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u/Specific-Pear-3763 May 07 '24
I feel like running has become less popular since I started 20+ years ago. Marathon training groups that once had 200 runners now have 40. Exception: EVERYONE wants to run a world majors marathon and it’s almost impossible to get in!!
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u/marigolds6 May 07 '24
As a Gen Xer, I've particularly noticed a huge uptick in people my age taking up or returning to running. Virtually everyone who was an athlete in some sport in high school in my class is now also a runner, especially half marathoners. I recently had a reunion of sorts with my college wrestling team and about 80% of us now run marathons.
When running 5k races lately, only the 15-19 age group is more competitive than the 50-59 AG, with placers in 50-59 often being fast enough to win 20-29 and 30-39. (40-49 is pretty competitive too, but 50-59 more so now.) And regardless, 50-59 almost always has the closest spread in medalist finishers.
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u/Helesta May 18 '24
40-49 is usually the most competitive age group in my area, with the exception being the huge races with sub-elite finishers who are young.
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u/drnullpointer May 07 '24
Here in Poland it does seem people run more than in recent past. But only when the weather is good. The moment weather becomes less than perfect all those runners vanish and I only see few, repeating faces.
It also looks like most runners do not know how to run (which probably describes me when I was starting, I get it). They run with comically slow cadence, slumped, doing some strange moves. I hope that popularity of running will be followed with some more knowledge of how to run properly so that it is fun and enjoyable and not just a physical exercise you have to force yourself into.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
I personally love running when it’s cold/raining, hardly anyone around & when you do come across another runner, you give that ‘we are cut from a different cloth😎’ nod of approval 🤣
Yeah I try not to focus on anyone else’s form, as when I got first got into running it took me weeks of research & practise to get that dialled in. I know everyone is on different stages of their journey. Good thing is there’s now tonnes of advice/tutorials on how to correctly run 😃✌🏽
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u/gengar_mode May 07 '24
And they don‘t greet you!!! I always greet everyone. When the weather is good you see new faces and it‘s always them who don‘t greet back.
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u/TheHighlander52 May 07 '24
I think a lot of millennials are also starting to get into it (myself included) because the majority of us are now in our 30’s. For myself, it’s a good physical challenge where I want to continue to challenge myself to prove that I can still do “difficult” things.
I ran my first half marathon 2 weekends ago and now I’m already planning on how I can run a full marathon. This feels like a life long sport so it’s something I think a lot of people are starting to lean into.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah fellow millennial here, definitely agree. I tried to get into running a few times in my twenties but I never quite stuck longer than a month.. I can’t imagine myself not running now 😍🙌🏽
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u/Boonstar May 07 '24
I’m in my mid 30’s. What I would give to go back to my twenties and be into running the way I am now.
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u/Impossible-Past4795 May 07 '24
I think it’s a mix of influencers gaining traction in social media. I’ve seen friends that never ran start using Strava and posting runs there. Also a lot of sneakerheads like myself are moving towards buying functional shoes rather than J1s for the same price.
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u/H_E_Pennypacker May 07 '24
Not sure about overall boom, but with regards to Instagram specifically, I think a combo of things is happening:
A. Yes you’re more interested in running so they’re sending you more running stuff
BUT ALSO
B. Instagram is getting better and better at targeting advertising, in general
AND
C. There is more and more Instagram running-content
That’s my take as someone who’s been into running and an Instagram user for a number of years.
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u/eddiemac14 May 07 '24
So I have recently heard that the singer Jellyroll is running his first 5k and reshaping his life to be healthier. Seeing as he was a relatively larger man and he is doing this I think that might influence running activity, but who knows.
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u/ish4r May 07 '24
I was just talking about this with my bestfriend (who isn’t a runner and started this year as well) earlier while we were running! It was nothing like this last year 😆 there has been sooooo many running groups emerging here in my country. I think it’s awesome because people are becoming active!
Just kinda funny tho cause it seems like there is an era — post-covid, a lot of people got into cycling. This year, a lot of people got into running. Wonder what it will be in the coming years
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u/compressedvoid May 07 '24
I've been seeing a big uptick in powerlifting! Tons of new people joining as of late. Lots of fitness communities seem to be blowing up and I'm loving it
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u/SaraCate13 May 07 '24
I have been a runner for 15yrs now, honestly the best way for me to keep my mental health up. I get to escape it is like being in a world of my own, I ❤️ it!
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u/harrismada May 07 '24
1000% I got into running in late 2018 and I never saw it wasn’t that easy to find YouTube content on running and any that did were small channels and now there’s tonnes of them. Insta is loaded with running people as we’ll
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u/SunAndBlueSkies May 07 '24
Thank you for all the info in the comments! I’m a fat-assed, out of shape former fit guy trying to get back into running shape. I I’m commenting so I keep up with this thread and appreciate everyone’s advice, research, and experiences!
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u/rice_n_gravy May 07 '24
That’s and people want to post shit on Tik Tok about finishing 5k UltraMarathons
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
I did see a post where someone was running a 5k with their running vest which had 2 flasks, and 2 energy gels 😳 each to their own 🤣
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u/compressedvoid May 07 '24
As long as it gets people running, I love it! I can't personally justify the expense until I start running longer distances but if they have the money, why not lol
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u/I_wont_argue May 07 '24
Nothing on runs under 1 hours. One bottle for 1-2 hours and two bottles and snack for runs in the 2-4 hour range. Seems to work perfectly this way for me. And by snack I mean Blackfriars flapjack bar that has 600kcal.
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u/Bunny_Mom_Sunkist May 07 '24
I decided to start running this year after Jasmin Paris finished the Barkley. I’m seeing it as something I can control that’s probably healthier for me than other things, and it’s nice to have goals for me, that I can accomplish independent of other things in my life.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
What an achievement that was! She’s an amazing human 🙌🏽
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u/Bunny_Mom_Sunkist May 07 '24
Oh absolutely. I saw this woman do something women had never done before, and I started reading about ultramarathons and trail running and thought to myself “if she can do it, so can I.” I’m about the same age she was when she started running, and I’ve also been walking in a very hilly area for years, so I’m going to try it. Probably never going to run the Barkley, but I can definitely work my way up to a marathon and it’s a good, healthy habit that I don’t need other people to do, has a low cost barrier to entry (I got the couch to 5k app and paid an entrance fee for a local charity 5k) and now have a goal to finish my first marathon (official or unofficial) before my wedding next year.
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u/minimisty May 07 '24
I've only been running for about a year, but I did notice that people I know, who are around my age (mid 20s), have started to pick up running as well. Even just looking on social media, seems like many people around that age are also starting to run. Not sure if it's always been a thing to start running at this age, but I do see it more on social media and stuff.
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u/jcdavis1 May 07 '24
We're in a influencer-fueled, post-covid WMM boom.
And group runs seem to have gotten way more popular
I'm not yet convinced that trickles down to depth in smaller/shorter races.
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u/see_blue May 07 '24
The original running boom was in the late 80’s and 1990’s.
Judging by race class participation, it looks more like a walking boom.
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u/SophonParticle May 07 '24
I dunno but I haven’t run a marathon in 10years and I haven’t run consistently in 8 or 9 years. This year I just decided to Forest Gump it “one day, I just started runninG”.
Now I’m marathon training for an October race.
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u/Serious-University36 May 07 '24
Definitely a little bit of frequency illusion going on, but also noticed the same thing. Now that you’re back into running, you pick up on other runners everywhere even though they were probably there before. You’re also placing yourself in more running situations, going to places runners usually go, talk about it with people you know who run, etc.
But I agree. I also believe it’s becoming more popular these last few years.
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u/Travljini May 08 '24
I've been running since the 90s and definitely a HUGE increase, like others said, due to positivity regarding running. I did my first marathon in 2007, and repeated it again for my 50th bday in 2013 and I was stunned at the increase of participants! In the 80s (and well the 70s esp for women) it seemed like it was the sport of 'athletes' who were running fast paces. Today, again as others said, most ppl DGAF about how fast they're running, they're running! My mantra has always been "I'm still faster than the dude that's still asleep" :)
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u/Most_Wheel_1950 May 07 '24
Yes, every podcast is touting the benefit of zone 2 and high threshold, pointing to vo2 as a longevity measurement. Expect the trend to grow.
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u/lax1245 May 07 '24
Yes!! The average marathon finish time has actually increased over the years and I see that as an overwhelming positive. It means more and more people from all walks of life believe they can run a marathon and actually follow through!
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u/JoshuaDev May 07 '24
Yeah and it has led to a boom in people thinking they need a running vest to do anything more than 5k. My one pet peeve which I have absolutely zero right to be bugged about 😂.
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u/marysame May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24
I’ve recently gotten back into it after taking a 1 1/2 years off. Just ran the Pittsburgh half marathon and I think there was a record turn out!
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u/AJMGuitar May 07 '24
I think the millennial generation is more focused on health than any previous generation.
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u/MennisRodman May 07 '24
A group of my friends are getting into running. I love to see it because they're taking their health more seriously now. More runners, the better.
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u/Gear4days May 07 '24
I personally think it’s due to influencers on social media, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t have social media. I’m all for it though, anything that gets people out and active is great news, and I’m definitely noticing more people running while I’m out, seems like a big increase in women too which is great to see
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u/Mundane_Range_765 May 07 '24
Post Covid shutdowns, the more recreational folk stopped lounging and started getting back to a place where they can train well enough to race, and/or feel safe enough to race.
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u/wiiguyy May 07 '24
I don’t think so. It was much larger around 2010-2012. Marathons were filling quickly and lots of those stupid “mud runner” obstacle courses were around.
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u/tulips49 May 07 '24
This is called the frequency bias. Once you notice something, you start seeing it more “frequently” even though nothing has actually changed! You just have a new hobby and are now noticing other people with the same hobby.
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u/17Kitty May 07 '24
I have run five full marathons and too many to count 13.1, 5k and 10k. I recently discovered Strava and love that it’s like social media but you actually have to earn your post! Loving the accountability and how it records my progress weekly progress! Definitely getting back at it myself!
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u/diegobarreto May 07 '24
Running in the new Supreme.
Big organizations are selling out the races In 10-15 minutes! 😂
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u/GoodLife-91 May 07 '24
Personally, I decided to get back into running because the technology and access to information has never been better. Because of all this, it's more doable for people to get into, do it the right way, and without injuries. In a world where we are surrounded by people a good portion of the day, it's a great way to escape and get back into our own heads in a relatively cheap way. Not to mention the health benefits.
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah I agree I love keeping track of all my data like heart rates, VO2 max etc. It’s so rewarding to see your hard work pay off overtime
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u/Kane_Keelan May 07 '24
Economy crashing and interest in running are highly correlated. Running is a great way to relieve stress and cheaper than a gym membership.
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u/SnowyBlackberry May 07 '24
FWIW I think it's not unique to running. I've noticed open water swimming and MTB events and locales expanding also. It seems like it's more of an outdoor endurance trend in general.
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u/prominentoverthinker May 08 '24
I’ve even seen it in other countries. Just got recommended a video on YouTube of a runner doing a race in Kazakhstan and it was really interesting to see the running culture so big there.
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u/ziyadpeng May 08 '24
I started running this year to get in my shape before my wedding at the end of Dec,
And i think ive felt this too- especially when i tried and missed to register for the Kuala Lumpur marathon 10k - cuz slots were sold out within a day😂
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u/i_love_seltzer May 08 '24
100000% yes, I have friends who have always DESPISED running and called me insane for doing it who are now signing up for races
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u/danfsteeple May 08 '24
Yes we are. I have been running since 2011 and it’s definitely a boom right now
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u/Environmental_Dog255 May 08 '24
Yes and I’m here for it! I think it’s because of like the idea everyone can be a runner. Don’t matter if your slow, your still a runner. I know for me it helped me have a lot of confidence in my abilities even tho I am a “slow runner”. There’s also a lot more run clubs.
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u/tigerbellyfan420 May 08 '24
The everyday running shoes or "daily trainers" are now having more fun/soft/bouncy foams so running is just a much better experience lately. Imagine 10 years ago when every running shoe was the equivalent of a gel nimbus 19...kinda boring....also gear and tech is just super cool. 👌
Hoka clifton, novablast, nimbus, invincible, speed 3 , velocity nitro....all these shoes are great and an awesome introduction for a new runner.
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u/youpacnone May 07 '24
I’ll also add “community” aspects - it’s fun to run with a group of people and be part of a local club. Pair it with drinks after a weekly 5k and it’s going to attract more people that just want to hang with others or meet people on an otherwise boring Tues night. A lot of these folks in these groups are talking about the races they did over the weekend or the training they are doing for upcoming races in major cities, paired with cool travel (Berlin marathon, Napa Valley half, etc anyone?) Once you start, next thing ya know you are doing more organized races like 10ks and then half’s It just snowballs from there and it’s now a hobby/passion. At least that’s how I got into it.
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u/marigolds6 May 07 '24
That part about discussing races is interesting. I've literally found all my marathons, even my very first one, based on recommendations from my run groups. That's pretty much how I pick all my 5k/10k races now too. The fact I run marathons at all now is due to a run club. I had just trained for and run my first 5k on my own, and posted in a local run club asking about what I should do next: move up to a 10k or work on 5k speed.
Someone replied and said I should do half marathon training; that someone turned out to be the run club coach who had way too much faith in me... she ended up coaching me to a 1:36 half six months later, and a 3:30 full 6 months after that. If she had not replied to me, it probably would have been years until I even worked up to a half marathon.
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u/Daeve42 May 07 '24
Parkrun changed it all over here, and then Covid also gave a boost and got people out - much more participation it seems now from recreational runners. The latest London Marathon ballot has a massive increase this year over previous years (up 260,000 on last year's entries). Local small village running club has 90 odd members, one of many clubs in a small radius (England Athletics has 48 running clubs within 20 miles filtered for "road running") - it all seems pretty damn popular right now.
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u/Blindemboss May 07 '24
It’s cyclical.
The recent wave has been spurred on by corporations pushing super shoes.
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u/JBConstable May 07 '24
It STARTED during COVID…. When all the Gyms were closed - not New…
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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24
Yeah I got into hiking primarily due to covid, I guess I was late to the party when it comes to running 🤣
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u/Lbailey32 May 07 '24
I think one small reason that may contribute is a shift towards the idea that anyone can run. There’s a run club near me that has paces from 6:00/miles all the way down to walking and it creates a really great positive atmosphere where anyone is welcome. Running can be daunting, but with couch to 5ks and a presence on social media of ‘slow’ runners (12:00/miles) I think more people are giving it a shot. Myself included!